Technical Officer (Communicable Disease Surveillance)

Cairo

Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
Location: Cairo
Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Security and Safety
- EM/DCD Division of Communicable Disease Control
- Malaria, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
Closing Date: Closed

TECHNICAL OFFICER ,COMMUNICABLE DISEASE SURVEILLANCE (PN382512)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the programme is to support establishment of integrated surveillance system for communicable diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region through working with the EMR Member States. Integrated CD Surveillance is critical for effective prevention and control of CDs, as well as early detection of outbreaks and rapid response. In addition, it is critical for the evaluation and monitoring of the impact of various public health interventions. Implementing integrated CD Surveillance will provide a unique opportunity for multi-disease and multi-sectoral surveillance and will allow comprehensive monitoring and reporting on health target for SDGs related to CDs (target 3.3).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties\:

1. Assess the current situation of communicable diseases surveillance (CDSurv) in various member states, identify gaps, and recent developments/improvements in CDSurv where lessons can be learned and shared across the region

2. Develop and/or adapt necessary operational guidelines, frameworks, protocols and SOPs for the establishment and management of an integrated Surveillance system.

3. Identify innovative approaches to strengthen CDSurv in member states, taking advantage of electronic surveillance systems, working closely with other groups within DCD, the RO and HQ including WHE, HIS/IER, and other relevant groups.

4. Provide technical guidance and expertise to the programs of communicable diseases in EMR member states to strengthen the current communicable diseases surveillance, building on recent experience with early warning systems.

5. Promote the implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance (IDSR) approach, the use of DHIS2, computerized reporting system and community based surveillance.

6. Promote the human resource development activities to strengthen the surveillance system for CDs in Member States, coordinate the training programmes, and conduct human resource needs assessment in priority countries.

7. Establish and enhance the regional capacity for integrated surveillance for communicable diseases to improve quality of surveillance data, regular analysis, mapping, reporting, use of information, investigation, prevention and control of outbreaks/epidemics, proper preparedness and epidemic Response (EPR).

8. Lead the review and analysis of the national epidemiological data, surveillance reports and relevant health information and provide technical feedbacks to national CDs Control Programmes.

9. Develop and design regional data base for collection and analysis of data on CDs burden from surveillance systems, surveys and research projects.

10. Prepare Regional CDs surveillance Report as required (monthly, quarterly, annually, newsletter) and coordinate with HQ to prepare the relevant Global Reports (HIV, TB, malaria, hepatitis, EPI, NTDs, etc...)

11. Evaluate the progress toward achieving SDG target 3.3 related to communicable diseases and take corrective informed decisions and actions as appropriate.

12. Contribute effectively to the assessment and the related activities of the IER/HIS team on communicable disease indicators and data improvement as requested by IER/HIS.

13. Build and maintain effective relationships with HQ and key agencies to ensure their effective cooperation in the CDSurv approach.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree in Medicine and master's degree in Epidemiology or Public Health.
Desirable\: Training on epidemiological surveillance and response

Experience

Essential\: At least 7 years of experience at the national and international levels in establishing, managing and analyzing surveillance of multiple (more than one) communicable disease areas.
Desirable\: Experience in establishing CD surveillance system in EMR countries; experience in outbreak investigation and response; experience in developing electronic surveillance systems.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on public health aspects of infectious disease control, and the use of descriptive epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and response.
Ability to write reports on CDs and interpret epidemiological surveillance data.
Good presentation and writing skills.
Good knowledge of Health Information System including District Health information System.

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.
Desirable\: Expert knowledge of French. Expert knowledge of Arabic.

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 1395 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.