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Technical Officer (Epidemologist, Influenza/Surveillance and Response)

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
    • Security and Safety
    • Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
    • Emergency Aid and Response
    • EU/WHE WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE)
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

(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.Within the Division of Health Emergencies and Communicable Diseases, the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) aims to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.The main objective of the Infectious Hazard Management Programme Area is\:The Infectious Hazard Management Programme Area is responsible for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority high-threat infectious hazards. This includes developing and supporting prevention and control strategies, tools and capacities for high-threat infectious hazards, establishing and maintaining experts networks to detect, understand and manage new or emerging high threat infectious hazards as well as providing support for the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.The High Threat Pathogens (PAT) team develops strategies, guidance, global mechanisms and interventions to address high threat pathogens responsible for epidemics or pandemics thereby reducing their impact on affected populations and limiting their international spread. This team deals with known high threat pathogens such as influenza, Ebola and respiratory infectious as well as the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Contributes to overall communicable disease prevention and control strategies established at both regional and national levels by providing high level expertise towards assisting national and state level governmental authorities in the development and implementation of strategic plans and guidelines for surveillance and response to seasonal, avian and pandemic influenza, as part of the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework\:As the scientific focal point of the Regional influenza surveillance bulletin, FluNews Europe, which is published jointly with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the incumbent will provide oversight and expertise into the technical development of the bulletin and other surveillance outputs. Duties will include but not be limited to overseeing routine operations of the Regional data collection, the preparation of the weekly FluNews Europe surveillance report, ensuring that the data repository is maintained and that data is provided timely to WHO global influenza surveillance platforms FluNet and FluID;Supporting the influenza work of the IHM Programme Area by helping countries improve surveillance of severe disease caused by influenza and better use of surveillance data to inform influenza prevention and treatment programmes through country missions, intercountry workshops and trainings and development of technical guidance; Analysing, interpreting, and assisting in the dissemination of surveillance data (including virological data) through WHO and peer-reviewed publications;Supporting the roll-out of tools and developing and conducting training for countries to monitor and evaluate influenza surveillance systems, and to improve their surveillance data management;Supporting Member States with the development of operational outbreak investigation and response guidelines; Propose to the attention of the Programme Area Manager proposals and materials for advocacy and resource mobilization initiatives;Contributing to epidemic alert and response activities related to respiratory infections through risk assessment and response activities for unusual health events related to respiratory infections within the framework of the IHR;Conducting other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university degree in medicine or related field, or in an area relevant to the field of communicable diseases epidemiology.
Desirable\: Post-graduate degree or training in epidemiology (EPIET or similar).

Experience

Essential\: At least 7 years' experience in the field of communicable diseases surveillance and response of which at least 2 are in the area of respiratory infections.
Desirable\: At least two years of experience in the field of communicable diseases surveillance and response at international level. Experience in WHO or within the UN system with an understanding of its mandate, goals and procedures.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of surveillance data collection and management;Demonstrated training skills (developing and conducting training);Demonstrated guideline development skills;Demonstrated knowledge of influenza surveillance systems.

WHO Competencies

Knowing and managing yourself
Teamwork
Producing results
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of 1 EURO or WHO 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 71,332 (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 3145 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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