Technical Officer (Zoonoses and Emerging Infectious Diseases)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

WHE brings together and enhances WHO's operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. WHE is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.

The objectives of the programme area, Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI), includes the following: to monitor and evaluate country preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, to develop country capacity-building plan for countries with critical capacities and to act as the Secretariat of IHR (2005). The CPI has an all-hazards approach and involves all three levels of WHO. CPI prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low-capacity countries.

The intersectoral nature of emergency preparedness entails for CPI a large partnership with other international organizations and the consideration of several global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, emergencies and disasters, IHR (2005), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework, the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS Pathway), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, regional strategies such as the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III), the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, the Regional Action Plan for dengue prevention, and the regional strategies for food safety and disaster risk management. CPI coordinates its activities with international and national initiatives such as the Global Health Security Agenda and Universal Health Coverage 2030, and the regional vision of For the Future.

The Preparedness, Readiness and Core Capacity (PCB) is the main hub for technical support to WHO's regional and country offices in their effort to strengthen intersectoral national capacity for the early detection, timely and effective response, to public health emergencies as required under IHR (2005). Working closely with other WHE staff, the PCB ensures that needs listed in national action plans are translated into targeted capacity-building in the priority/vulnerable countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Lead provision of technical advice and support into the design, implementation and assessment of disease prevention and control programmes on zoonotic diseases and emerging infectious diseases, within the framework of the policies and strategies of the Organization taking into consideration the requirements of IHR (2005) and APSED III;

2. Provide technical advice and expertise and strengthen country preparedness and response to emergencies at all levels at the human-animal health interface, including the organization of workshops, training programmes and assessments of country performance at the human-animal interface in liaison with appropriate internal and external stakeholders;

3. Participate in the development and management of other technical programmes with an human-animal health interface component in close collaboration with the responsible unit in the Regional Office and country offices, including the elimination of canine-mediated rabies;

4. Enhance and expand multisource surveillance systems for surveillance, alert and response to zoonoses and emerging infectious diseases of public health importance taking into consideration the requirements of IHR (2005) and APSED III;

5. Support improved coordination between animal and human health through enhanced collaboration and sharing of surveillance information at subnational, national and regional level;

6. Conduct, in collaboration with other team members, real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data, from a broad range of sources including non-health sectors, for epidemic forecasting and detection;

7. Provide technical advice on the implementation and assessment of the IHR (2005) and other global and regional policies and strategies with respect to zoonotic disease preparedness and response capacities using APSED III as an action framework;

8. Promote interprogrammatic coordination with other technical entities within WHE and serve as WHE focal point for internal cross-cutting activities for zoonoses, rabies, veterinary public health and One Health among various groups in WHO.

9. Act as the human-animal health interface focal point during WHO response to selected events in coordination with HIM and others, providing epidemiological input and technical support during zoonotic events risk assessment and response when requested;

10. Promote multidisciplinary research activities in the areas of zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases, and veterinary public health;

11. Promote the mobilization of national and international resources in support of training, technical assistance and research activities which result in improvements in the management and structure of zoonotic disease and emerging infectious disease programmes;

12. Lead or participate in multidisciplinary site visits related to epidemiological investigations of outbreaks of zoonoses, emerging infectious diseases and public health emergencies, and provide field-based technical support and programmatic guidance, interpreting and adapting existing guidelines or, when necessary, developing new guidelines and procedures;

13. Prepare and disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical reports, policy documents and position papers based on the results of epidemiological and socioeconomic studies;

14. Promote and collaborate in resource mobilization efforts to facilitate the implementation of the regional programmes at the national, subregional and local levels, including timely preparation of proposals, briefs and comprehensive reports as per donor requirements;

15. Engage and support collaborative networks and relevant working groups involving regional, international organizations, governmental and nongovernmental institutions, academia, professional and scientific societies engaged in of zoonotic diseases, veterinary public health and One Health such as Association of South East Asian Nations, FAO, OIE and UNEP;

16. Collaborate in the development and strengthening of human resources to fulfill surveillance, alert and response duties specifically targeted at priority zoonotic diseases and emerging infectious diseases at national, subnational and local levels;

17. Collaborate in the preparation of the biennial work plan and execution of international cooperation projects, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic issues and performance assessment;

18. Upon request, provide technical support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency activities at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency; and

19. Perform other related duties, as requested by supervisor, including provision of support to other areas of work and teams or programme areas within the WHE, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree in a health-related profession and a postgraduate degree in veterinary science/public health/epidemiology, epidemiology, communicable diseases, microbiology, public health, zoonoses or other relevant postgraduate degree.

Desirable: Specialization in veterinary public health/epidemiology, epidemiology, communicable diseases, zoonoses, microbiology, One Health, risk analyses or other relevant training programme.

Experience

Essential: Minimum seven years of combined relevant national and international experience on prevention, surveillance, and response to zoonotic or emerging infectious diseases. Experience should include surveillance, risk assessment and outbreak response. Experience in the development and management of multipartner projects focusing on zoonotic diseases.

Desirable: Relevant experience in zoonoses, emerging infectious diseases, and animal health, including surveillance, prevention/control management and One Health approach. Experience of work in the area of preparedness for pandemic diseases and other public health emergencies. Previous international experience in working with WHO or other UN agencies in a developing country context. Previous work experience in Asia is an asset.

Skills

-Demonstrated knowledge of epidemiology, zoonoses, emerging infectious diseases and communicable disease prevention and control.

-Sound management skills with ability to manage human and financial resources.

-Proven organizational and analytical skills, together with excellent interpersonal skills.

-Capacity to promote and implement collaboration and exchange with partners, toward the implementation of best practices.

-Knowledge of WHO mandate, policies and processes.

-Knowledge of the One Health approach to infectious diseases and its concepts.

-Ability to work flexibly, autonomously and efficiently and adapt to shifting priorities.

-Capacity to work under pressure and deliver with tight deadlines.

-Demonstrated ability to use and make sense of complex data and/or information to effectively solve problems and contribute to public health decision-making.

-Strong writing skills including for presentations, proposals, concept notes, reports and other technical documents.

-Excellent communication, interpersonal and diplomatic skills.

-Experience synthesising information and communicating effectively in a timely manner to broad and diverse audiences.

-Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication

Moving forward in a changing environment
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.

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 74,913 (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 3096 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• 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.