Technical Officer, Neglected Tropical Diseases

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The main objective of the Malaria, other Vectorborne and Parasitic Diseases (MVP) programme is to support the Ministries of Health and Education and Sports, and the Centre of Malaria, Parasitology and Entomology at various levels in the design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of priority interventions for the control of vector and parasitic diseases. The major focus areas of the programme is the control of soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis parasites in Lao People's Democratic Republic, control of foodborne trematodes and the elimination of lymphatic filariasis with annual mass treatment in affected areas.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme - Country Team Leader and guidance of the Head of WHO Country Office, Lao People's Democratic Republic, the incumbent shall perform the following functions\:

1. Provide expert technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Sports to develop policy, strategy, action plan, implementation guideline, SOP and other documents in line with global and regional frame work to control priority vector-borne, foodborne, and other parasitic diseases in the Lao People's Democratic Republic;

2. Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Sports to plan, design, implement, monitor and evaluate the priority intervention for control of priority vector-borne, foodborne, and other parasitic diseases;

3. Provide technical assistance and coordination to the Ministry of Health and different sectors to establish committees and technical working groups to implement monitoring and evaluation of control activities for priority vector-borne, foodborne, and parasitic diseases;

4. Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health to set up pilot intervention, monitoring and evaluation for priority vector-borne and other foodborne diseases;

5. Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health to set up database for data storage and analysis epidemiology data on parasites and creating reports for advocacy meeting;

6. Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Sports to create a report of treatment coverage, survey, and request for medicines for priority vector-borne and parasitic diseases to WHO every year;

7. Conduct investigation of adverse event after mass drug administration, outbreak investigation of vector-borne or other diseases;

8. Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health to write technical and financial reports to submit to donors;

9. Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and coordinate with related partners to write proposals to submit to government and other donors and to mobilize sustainable funding;

10. Coordinate and work with other sectors within WHO, development partners and NGOs in planning, implementation and monitoring of interventions for integration and efficiency;

11. Promote WHO interventions and policy advocacy which involves multisectoral collaboration and participatory approaches with national counterparts, nongovernmental organizations and international agencies and;

12. Perform other relevant duties as maybe required.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree in medicine or any health-related sciences from a recognized university.
Desirable\: Advanced university degree or equivalent professional training in tropical diseases, public health or related subjects and specialization in research are desirable.

Experience

Essential\: Five years' work experience at the national level in the development and implementation of public health interventions. Experience in policy formulation and establishment of parasite control activities at national level, including work experience with government.
Desirable\: Experience in writing proposals and reports. Experience in working with NGOs and/or with regional or international organizations.

Skills

Knowledge and experience in public health programmes for parasite control. Skills, training, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions and development of locally adapted tools and instruments. Good communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to interact with health professionals at various levels and to do work with national counterparts, NGOs and international agencies. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Lao.
Desirable\:

 

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 25,908 (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.