WHE Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) Officer (Multiple Country Offices)

Purpose of the Position\:

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, the incumbent will manage the Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) activities at the country level, will support the prevention and control of high threat diseases of pandemic & epidemic potential through coordinating the forecasting, characterization of diseases and/or infectious risks and the implementation of evidence-based strategies to manage infectious hazards. The incumbent will be deployed to emergency operations when required.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective\:

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

  

Organizational context\:

Reporting to the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) Lead and under the leadership of the Head of WHO Country Office, the incumbent acts as an advisor to the WHO emergency team on Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) activities, enabling the development, implementation, and monitoring of strategies that maximize the individual and collective impact of WHO throughout the full cycle of the emergency, in the country of deployment. The incumbent is expected to exercise full judgment in adapting or modifying relevant WHO guidelines and to facilitate the development of new guidelines to meet particular requirements or changing circumstances in close coordination with the respective Regional Office and HQ. S/he will engage with the local authorities, UN partners and non-health actors to establish strategic partnerships in respect of multi-dimensional IHM activities. The present position under WHE (which is a single programme across the Organization) may be relocated to another duty station, including at Regional or Country level, based upon the technical needs of the Programme. 

Summary of Assigned Duties\:

1. Advise on the development, implementation and evaluation of the national strategies and workplans pertaining to the prevention and control of high threat diseases of pandemic & epidemic potential or infectious risks and the implementation of evidence-based strategies to manage infectious hazards, interventions in high-risks groups and recommend measures for special attention, ensuring compliance with organization-wide IHM strategies.

2. In close collaboration with the risk assessment, health information management and other teams in HQ and the respective Regional Office, monitor the early prevention, detection, verification, assessment and investigation of any risks of outbreaks and the dissemination of data related to the occurrence of outbreaks. 

3. Adapt IHM global policies, concepts, tools and strategies and manage their implementation at the country level, for the prevention and, where feasible, elimination of diseases/epidemic risks. Work with partners, to improve approaches and methods of controlling epidemics in different epidemiological situations.

4. Conduct the periodic reporting of infectious hazards activities, support the information systems and the monitoring facilitating integration with the national health information systems, as required.   

5. Contribute to the surveillance and risk analysis of infectious diseases; participate in the rapid response teams responsible for the rapid investigation of alerts, field risk assessments and early detection and response. 

6. Ensure that risk communication messages are technically sound and socio-culturally appropriate to induce, engage and empower stakeholders in the prevention, mitigation and control of infectious hazards.

7. Make recommendations and give guidance on relevant courses of actions to be taken in affected as well as non-affected areas in order to prevent and/or control cause of excess morbidity and mortality.

8. In close collaboration with other technical teams, provide technical assistance on vaccination, enhanced surveillance, infection control (including personal protection), enhanced sanitation and hygiene, increased provision of water and/or nutrients, prepositioning of drugs and medical supplies, vector control etc. 

9. Request the activation of technical experts networks at global or regional level to characterize the pathogen and the disease in case of unknown infection. 

10. Represent the Country Office at official meetings as needed.

11. Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Competencies\:

1. Teamwork;

2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;

3. Communication;

4. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Functional Knowledge and Skills\:

• Demonstrated knowledge of infectious diseases, particularly in those areas critical for promoting a public health perspective and approach, such as infectious disease epidemiology, prevention or control, clinical management and significant practical application of this knowledge in an international context. 

• Proven ability to coordinate and manage projects, build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies. 

• Sound tactical thinking with ability to formulate clear comprehensive strategies and plans. 

• Demonstrated organizational skills with ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure.  

Educational Qualifications\:

Essential\:

Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in Medicine, Public Health or Health related field from an accredited/recognized institute. 

Desirable\:

Specialized training in Epidemiology.  Specialized training in Infectious Diseases.

Experience\:

Essential\:

At least 7 years of international and national professional experience in planning, developing and implementing the control and prevention of infectious diseases programme including outbreak prevention and control, infectious hazard management and/or dangerous pathogens. 

Relevant experience with the inter-agency mechanisms used to coordinate international preparedness for and response to health emergencies. 

Desirable\:

Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries.

Use of Language Skills\:

Excellent knowledge of English or French (depending on the country of assignment). Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)\:

Computer literacy.  Familiarity with software of common use.