NPO (TB Epidemiologist)

India | New Delhi

Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
Location: India | New Delhi
Grade: Mid level - NO-C, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- SE_IND WR Office, India
- Malaria, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO India Country Office works together with the Government of India (GOI) and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies, plans in the area of TB epidemiology to promote Universal Health Coverage.

As per the National Strategic Plan 2012-2017 for Tuberculosis control, the RNTCP to reach universal access, now plans to pursue approaches which include\:

(a) ensuring early and improved diagnosis of all TB patients, through improving outreach, vigorously expanding case-finding efforts among vulnerable populations, deploying better diagnostics, and extending services to patients diagnosed and treated in the private sector

(b) improving patient-friendly access to high quality treatment for all diagnosed cases of TB, including scaling-up treatment for MDR-TB nationwide

(c) re-engineering programme systems for optimal alignment with NHRM at block level and human resource development for all health staffs

(d) developing new and innovative approaches for involvement of sectors outside the reels of RNTCP to move towards universal access to TB cure and control and

(e) enhancing supervision, monitoring, surveillance and programme operations for continuous quality improvement and accountability for each TB case, with programme-based research for development and incorporation of innovations into effective programme practice.

The WHO TB programme aims to support the RNTCP efforts towards achieving universal access to quality diagnosis and patient-centered treatment for all TB patients and the effective monitoring of tuberculosis prevention, care and control activities in India, including DR-TB and HIV-infected patients. Major areas of WHO technical support are in operational research, drug resistant TB, TB/HIV collaborative activities, surveillance including impact measurements and private sector engagement in TB care in India. WHO provides technical support at national level, working with TB related national research and academic institutions and at state level with a network of technical officers for developing necessary guidelines, innovative models, research, monitoring and evaluation and now works towards a gradual transitioning of this network.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

All the Member States of WHO South East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

WHO's Twelfth General Programme of Work (2014-19) focuses on six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related millennium development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions\: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.

The South - East Asia Region of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India's population of 1.2 billion. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems as well as of the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

Within the framework of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy, the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in\: (i) developing and sustaining its own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii) anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall supervision and guidance from Coordinator Health Programme, and direct supervision of the Team Leader, Communicable Diseases, the incumbent will perform the following responsibilities\:

1. Co-ordinate and liaise with Central TB Division, technical and developmental partners for planning, designing protocols, training manuals and SOPs for TB prevalence surveys at national & sub-national level.

2. Establish standardized practices in implementation of TB prevalence survey with quality assurance and stringent monitoring systems.

3. Conduct high end analysis of data from various TB prevalence surveys, mortality surveys, active case finding and special interventions for TB & DR-TB control in India.

4. Facilitate high level monitoring of newer initiatives for TB control using ICT tools like Nikshay, PFMS, DBT etc. and their integration including oversight of Nikshay system development.

5. Provide technical support to the Union Government to establish methods for estimation of TB burden in India including sub-national / state level estimation in coordination with ICMR and other national and international collaborators for disease burden estimation.

6. Provide technical assistance for monitoring progress SDGs especially for targets related to End TB, liaison with Global TB programme for monitoring TB impact indicators.

7. Provide technical assistance for capacity building of WHO-RNTCP-TSN for TB surveillance and fordeveloping national & state level TB surveillance units including mainstreaming of use of analytical tools.

8. Develop mathematical models for comparison of interventions using transmission modelling incoordination with global and national institutes as and when needed.

9. Facilitate and provide expertize for designing research protocols and data analysis for all TB control initiatives of WCO, India & NTP.

10. Liaison and coordinate with other staff of WHO country office for India on matters related to disease surveillance.

11. Prepare administrative and technical reports, and undertake any other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by WR India.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Degree in medicine from a recognized university (MBBS).
Desirable\: Post graduate degree (MD) in public health, community medicine.

Training in TB epidemiology.

Experience

Essential\: At least five years of national level experience with tuberculosis control activities and experience in TB prevalence survey.
Desirable\: Ã At least ten years of experience in the area of public health along with essential experience.

Ã Experience of working within an international organization, preferably a UN organization and with donors and international partners.

Ã Publications on public health or TB control in recognized journals.

Skills

-The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization.

-Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard to tuberculosis control with comprehensive knowledge of tuberculosis epidemiology diagnosis, treatment, guidelines, operational research and disease control strategy and have detailed understanding of issues, policies and strategies, main stakeholders and actors.

-Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and activities in the related areas.

-Demonstrated leadership skills and proficiency in building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.

-Ability to work with senior government officials and other national and international staff.

-Extensive knowledge of tuberculosis control, especially on TB epidemiology including WHO policies and guidelines.

-Good knowledge of the working of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and other related departments/ministries, and the country's needs.

-Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence.

-Modern management skills (planning and evaluation, etc.).

-Public health leadership skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and international levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical issues.

-Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors.

-Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment.

-Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly.

-Ability to draft reports and capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare, monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements.

-Proficiency in computer applications.

-Knowledge of WHO/UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of Hindi.
Desirable\:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at INR 2,654,299 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.
This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.