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Technical Officer, AMR

Copenhagen

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Copenhagen
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Biology and Chemistry
    • Malaria, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
    • EU/DCH Communicable Diseases and Health Security
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The aim of the Division of Health Emergencies and Communicable Diseases in the WHO Regional Office for Europe is\:(i) to improve health security across the WHO European Region by maintaining regional alert and response operations and assisting countries in building their capacity for surveillance systems, preparedness for, and response to all health emergencies, in line with the requirements of the International Health Regulations and specific country risks;(ii) to promote WHO's leadership in health emergencies and communicable disease prevention and control, including through relevant regional initiatives and specific research projects;(iii) to assist countries in the Region to design, establish and run effective health programmes that are able to tackle the burden of communicable diseases, particularly, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, especially M/XDR-TB, viral hepatitis, influenza, malaria, antimicrobial resistance and vaccine-preventable diseases through strengthened immunization programmes and to achieve/maintain regional elimination/eradication goals as for measles, rubella, malaria, and poliomyelitis;(iv) to ensure, within EURO, the availability of state-of-the-art competency to provide high level technical support to Member States of the Region, in collaboration with Headquarters and in close partnership with relevant institutions of the Region.Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme)\:Within this context the WHO Regional Office for Europe specifically aims to reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistant organisms and their related morbidity and mortality. In line with the regional strategic action plan (2011-2020), WHO Regional Office for Europe supports countries in developing inter-sectoral policies for the prevention, detection and management of antimicrobial resistance. This is done, in close collaboration with the Member States and relevant technical partners, by facilitating intersectoral coordination, supporting the development of national AMR action plans, strengthening surveillance of antimicrobial consumption and resistance, implementing infection prevention and control programmes, promoting antibiotic stewardship, stimulating innovation and research, as well as supporting education, awareness and behaviour change campaigns. The European strategic action plan is fully aligned with the Global AMR action plan adopted in 2015.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Support the further development and implementation of the Central Asian and Eastern European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance network (CAESAR) and its linkage to the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) as part of the regional and global plans of action on the containment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the European region of WHO and provide further support to the implementation of priority strategic actions at country level with a specific emphasis on Eastern Europe and Central Asia.Under the supervision of the Programme Manager Control of AMR and in collaboration with all relevant technical staff working on disease control programmes experiencing the emergence of drug resistance, the incumbent will perform the following functions\:1. Assess the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in the European Region, identifying the main organisms involved, their geographical distribution, their actual and/or anticipated impact in disease control programmes, and other relevant elements for the development of an evidence-based surveillance capacity and other actions to contain AMR, such as antibiotic stewardship, health care-associated infections and infection prevention and control, with a special focus on non-EU Member States.2. Advise and collaborate with Member States on setting up appropriate national surveillance systems or improving existing ones, advocate for harmonization and standardization to obtain and report high quality data using available tools and methods incorporated by the Central Asian and Eastern European Surveillance of antimicrobial Resistance network (CAESAR) and support enrolment in the Global AMR Surveillance System (GLASS).3. Continue implementation of CAESAR in countries currently not able to provide national surveillance data internationally through technical support for national AMR reference laboratories, data management, proof-of-principle studies, etc., in close collaboration with other WHO programmes which face serious antimicrobial resistance challenges, as well as with other programmes which provide support for antimicrobial resistance surveillance, laboratory capacity, etc.4. Develop national laboratory standards and networks on antimicrobial resistance with emphasis on bacterial infections and antibiotics, based on international standards such as EUCAST. 5. Coordinate and provide technical assistance in applying tools and guidelines developed for CAESAR and foster training in antimicrobial resistance surveillance and laboratory standards on sensitivity testing, quality assurance and bio-safety.6. Contribute to fundraising in support to implementing the regional strategic action plan and national policies for the containment of antimicrobial resistance.7. Participate to, and represent the Regional Office in, technical international fora related to antimicrobial resistance.8. Promote and represent WHO's work related to AMR within the UN system, with other relevant international organizations, partners and Member States.Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree in health science and post graduate degree in public health and/or infectious disease epidemiology, medical microbiology, antimicrobial resistance.
Desirable\: Specific training in AMR related issues.

Experience

Essential\: At least 7 years of experience, of which 3 at the international level, with increased responsibilities in antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems at the national and international level. Experience with the management, organization and quality assurance of large data sets and development of surveillance systems, including lab, training programmes, use of web-based data collection. Experience with laboratory standards on AMR.
Desirable\: Working experience with international organizations or technical networks in related fields such as ECDC, EUCAST, etc. Documented track-record in project management, planning and implementation of AMR surveillance. Experience with yearly reporting on AMR and providing scientific evidence from related research or programmes. Experience in the European Region.

Skills

Solid technical knowledge on infectious disease surveillance and surveillance antimicrobial resistance at national and international level and ability to use data for action on the containment or prevention of resistance. Solid knowledge of AMR resistance epidemiology, data analysis software, incl web-based data collection formsGood knowledge of laboratory methods and standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Proven skills in designing, teaching and implementing training programmes.Computer literacy.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of 1 WHO or EURO lang.

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 3326 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.
  • 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.
This vacancy is now closed.
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