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Epidemiologist (Roster Consultant)

Brazzaville

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Brazzaville
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Medical Practitioners
    • AF/CDS - Communicable Diseases
    • Malaria, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the home of malaria, and it is a significant health and development challenge. It accounts for an average annual reduction of 1.3% in economic growth in high endemic countries of Africa[1]. Overall, the WHO African Region accounted for 90% of all malaria cases and 91% of all malaria deaths in 2017. The last two decades have witnessed some progress in malaria control efforts within the WHO-AFRO region, with the period between2000 and 2015 seeing a decline in mortality of 66% and a halving of malaria prevalence and incidence in children aged 2–10 years[2]. After this period of unprecedented success, in more recent years, progress in reducing the global malaria burden may have stalled. Globally, we are not on track to meet the Global Technical Strategy (GTS) for Malaria mortality and morbidity milestones for 2020.

Maintaining strong country program leadership, political commitment, technical capacity and engendering partnership and coordination including the private sector and community engagement continue to be critical to achieving set goals. WHO-AFRO with its partners in malaria has continued to work with countries to strengthen evidence-based malaria programme environment, in the face of ever-dwindling external resources that have hitherto, sustained the malaria control and elimination efforts.

It is against this backdrop the WHO regional office for Africa seeks to update its roster of international consultants with requisite skills in specific relevant technical areas to provide additional surge capacities as may be needed.

Several malaria epidemics have been reported in several countries over the past five years in the African region. Malaria upsurges were reported in six countries in East and Southern Africa (Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Namibia,Rwanda, Uganda andSouth Sudan); in six countriesin Central Africa Angola, Burundi,Cameroun, Chad, DRC, and Sao Tome and Principe),;in 3 countries in West Africa (Cabo Verde, Mauritania and Mali).

The Consultancy roster provides a prequalified list of epidemiologist(s) with relevant competencies and experience and provides the required flexibilities to support multiple streams of work being implemented under the supervision of the WHO–AFRO malaria team. The prequalification will also allow for rapid selection and deployment of a technical resource as required supporting activities related to Malaria Epidemic Prevention and Control.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Under the overall supervision of the Communicable Diseases (CDS) Director and in collaboration with the Regional Malaria Adviser, designated WHO AFRO/ WCO staff members, The primary supervisor shall be the Malaria Inter-country Support Team (IST) focal point in the sub-region for activities carried out and a second contact point at AFRO office as designated by Communicable Diseases Director and Regional Malaria Adviser.

The consultant will perform the following tasks\:

i.Work with CDS Malaria and ISTs to provide onsite technical assistance with the Ministries of health (MOHs) and Incident Management (IM) teams in support to countries experiencing malaria outbreaks in the development and the implementation of malaria epidemic response plans.

ii.To undertake a rapid appraisal of levels of implementation of malaria epidemic response plans and proposes practical measures for improvement.

iii.Build local capacity of the ministry of health field staff in areas related to the response

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The work will encompass\:

-Field visit to the affected district and interaction with the affected communities and health workers

-Assessment of available and forecasted malaria commodities

-Support the review of the epidemic prevention and response plan.

-Analysis of existing available data, by province and municipality in collaboration with MOH.

-Technical assistance and training to health workers involved in the implementation of vector control activities, including integrated environmental sanitation actions as deemed appropriate

-Participation in advocacy meetings with national authorities, key partners and other stakeholders

-Engage national authorities and other stakeholders on key action points to be addressed for the containment of ongoing upsurge.

The deliverables will include\:

-Minutes ofmeetings with national authorities, key partners and other stakeholders

-Reports of field visits to the affected district

-Regular updates on available and forecasted of malaria commodities

-Country epidemic prevention and response plans.

Weekly bulletins on malaria situation and status of implementation of malaria epidemic response plans.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree with a postgraduate degree in epidemiology or Public Health or health-related field.

Desirable\: Diploma in malaria or communicable disease epidemiology.

Experience

Essential\: Seven years of experience in malaria or infectious diseasesurveillance, epidemic preparedness and response.

Desirable\: At least five years of working experience in malaria control programme or malaria prevention and control at national or international level especially resource-challenged settings and in complex emergencies.

Working experience with WHO will be an asset

Skills

-Strong knowledge of the principles and practices of communicable disease epidemiology with specific experience in malaria epidemiology;

-Proven experience in the development and evaluation of systems, policies, strategies, guidelines, and tools for malaria control and elimination;

-Proven experience in working on malaria Epidemics or malaria in complex emergencies

-Proven skills and knowledge in the development and evaluation of disease surveillance systems in a public health setting; and

-Presentation skills and competencies in communication

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert Knowledge of English.

Desirable\: Good working knowledge of the second international language considered an added advantage.

REMUNERATION

WHO offers staff in the Professional Category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at 70,647 USD (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.

·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 none and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.



[1] Sachs J, Malaney P, The economic and social burden of malaria, Nature, 415, (6872), 680-5

[2] WHO, World Malaria Report 2016, Geneva, World Health Organization, 2016

This vacancy is now closed.
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