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Technical Officer (Field Epidemiology Support)

Geneva

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Biology and Chemistry
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, 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. The WHE Response division (WRE) is responsible for rapidly detecting and responding to health emergencies while leveraging relevant national and international partnerships, ensuring that emergency-affected populations in acute and protracted emergencies have access to essential health services and that systems are maintained and strengthened in fragile, conflict and vulnerable settings while implementing at scale, proven prevention strategies for priority pandemic/epidemic-prone diseases. The Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment Department is responsible for identifying new public health events, assessing risks to public health, conducting epidemiological surveillance and field investigations, monitoring public health interventions, and communicating public health information to technical partners.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to the needs and agenda and include but are not limited to:

  • Select, and perform data analysis and interpretation, utilizing knowledge of statistics and quantitative analysis commonly employed in epidemiologic evaluations, to interpret and analyze public health and research data related to emergencies and outbreaks;
  • recommend epidemiological methods, including the collection, processing, and analysis of public health events using routine data sources, and other data sources;
  • identify and review existing and new public health evidence published in the scientific literature and support preparation of reports from analyses of data, literature reviews, and other information;
  • produce analysis for information products, such as presentations, briefings and activity reports to communicate technical information to technical partners with particular attention to data about outbreak and emergency response and interventions;
  • organise, prepare, produce and disseminate emergency analytic information and reporting documents relevant to outbreaks and public health emergencies;
  • plan, and conduct capacity building and training to strengthen the analytical capacities of Member States, WHO staff in Regional and Country Offices and key partners;
  • assist in management of databases and monitoring data quality issues;
  • manage relationships with counterparts in key stakeholders and partners, including the supporting the use of data and data analysis in multi-agency information products and peer-reviewed publications.
  • as assigned, liaise with staff at all levels in The Programme, WHO HQ, Regional and Country Offices to encourage organization-wide information sharing as key component of promoting and nurturing a culture of multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches within The Programme, WHO and with key partners.
  • perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First level university degree in epidemiology, public health, international health, complemented by degree or diploma in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary science, midwifery, nursing, medical biology or a related discipline.


Desirable: In-service training in field epidemiology such as Field Epidemiology (and Laboratory) Training Programmes (FELTP), the European Program for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service programme, or equivalent experience.

Experience

Essential: At least five years' experience with successful track record in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events; and/or epidemic/Public Health Intelligence at the national / international levels plus demonstrated experience in the context of large epidemics or public health crisis at the national and international levels.
Desirable: Prior emergency disaster and health outbreak response or humanitarian working experience at field level, with WHO/UN agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or with an international non-governmental organization.

Skills

  • Demonstrated Knowledge of epidemiology, quantitative methods, and surveillance in the area of emerging/re-emerging diseases in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environment.
  • Well-developed critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent organizational and analytical skills combined with ability to multi-task and produce accurate results under pressure.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, complemented with ability to synthesize information in a clear and concise manner.
  • Tact, diplomacy and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Other WHO Language.

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 62,692 (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 4326 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.
  • 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.
  • For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
This vacancy is now closed.
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