Medical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.  The Department of Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) supports countries in prevention and control of high threat diseases of pandemic & epidemic potential through forecasting, characterization of diseases /infectious risks and development of evidence-based strategies to manage infectious hazards.  The Unit of Expert Networks & Interventions (ENI) builds on a set of technical assets to ensure access to knowledge and life-saving interventions to address any emerging pathogens. It includes but is not limited to (i) managing expert networks to rapidly characterise the threats and define mitigation measures, (ii) facilitating the production of high quality, evidence-based guidance, its dissemination to affected countries, and the transfer of knowledge to implementing partners and (iii) ensuring the availability of life-saving interventions (vaccine, treatments and diagnostic) during emergencies due to infectious hazards.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities\:

 

1. Manage and improve the governance mechanisms for emergency stockpiles for vaccines, drugs and supplies operations to respond effectively and timely to public health emergencies (e.g. ICG).

2. Develop new strategies to ensure sustainable funding of emergency stockpiles.

3. Collaborate with other staff in the area of work from national authorities, WHO country and regional offices, other UN agencies, international and nongovernmental organizations and support implementation of governance mechanisms for emergency stockpiles.

4. Develop innovative tools and material (e.g. request form) and provide technical advice and guidance in areas of risk assessment to facilitate access to the stockpiles.

5. Develop innovative monitoring tools and processes for the monitoring of the emergency stockpiles including convening meetings with advisers and partners. Proactively take follow up action ondecisions and recommendations of these meetings.

6. Collaborate with other groups in WHE to ensure timely deployment of life saving interventions to countries.

7. Provide information to the other WHE groups to improve risk communication on events requiring use of the WHO emergency stockpiles

8. Welcome opportunities to support multi-disciplinary, cross cutting approaches to work and is required to facilitate participation in such approaches.

9. Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university degree in medicine, complemented by university degree in public health or epidemiology.

Desirable\: Training in communicable disease control or disaster management

Experience

Essential\: At least 7 years of experience in work related to public health particularly in Quality Assurance, Quality Control, regulatory issues and vaccine production. Experience in issues related to vaccine production and stockpile governance. Experience in dealing with private sector (e.g. pharmaceutical companies).Previous experience in working with UN Agencies

Desirable\: Experience of working in related areas with WHO.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge and skills in applied epidemiology and public health, particularly in the field of infectious diseases.
• Good understanding of stockpile governance and supply.
• Good understanding on quality assurance, quality control and regulatory issues.
• Good knowledge of principal stakeholders (NGOs and pharmaceutical companies).
• Good understanding of stockpiles governance mechanism, procedures of WHO. Skills in facilitation of processes involving multiple partners.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
  

WHO Competencies

Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Setting an example
Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of WHO language.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 70,647 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 5151 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit\: http\://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.