Technical Officer (GMP - Vector Control)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The strategic objective of the Global Malaria Programme (GMP) is to support Member States to adopt WHO's malaria-related technical recommendations, and to advance implementation of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 (GTS).

The major functions of the department as identified in the 2019 transformation process are:

1) To play a leadership role in malaria, effectively supporting member states and rallying partners to reach Universal Health Coverage and achieve GTS goals and targets;

2) To shape the research agenda and promote the generation of evidence to support global guidance for new tools and strategies to achieve impact;

3) To develop ethical and evidence based global guidance on malaria with effective dissemination to support adoption and implementation by national malaria programmes; and

4) To monitor and respond to global malaria trends and threats. The mission of the VCR unit is to support optimal use of resources for malaria vector control by WHO Member States through key activities, including to:

a) Support generation and reporting of data related to malaria vectors and interventions;

b) Develop or revise evidence-based policy recommendations and programmatic guidance on vector surveillance and control, including for new tools; and

c) Support timely dissemination of vector surveillance and control guidance and contribute to its implementation through technical support and capacity building activities based on identified priorities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the VCR Unit Head, the Technical Officer (Vector Control Surveillance & Response) will:

1. Monitor the global status of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors by coordinating data collation and managing the WHO global databases on insecticide resistance in malaria vectors and on invasive malaria vectors, and consultants contributing to this work;
2. Produce status updates on vector surveillance and control for documents such as the World Malaria Report, as well as high-quality reports, presentations or data summaries where required and, in collaboration with relevant GMP technical units, ensure that these data are informatively displayed in Malaria Threats Map;
3. Develop updates of WHO's global guidance on entomological surveillance and monitoring and evaluation of vector control tools and interventions, such as the WHO Test procedures for Insecticide resistance monitoring in malaria vector mosquitoes;
4. Play a crucial role in the support of the roll-out of DHIS-2 entomology and vector control modules in conjunction with regional offices and the GMP Strategic Information for Response Unit;
5. Act as the GMP focal point for the production of insecticide resistance test papers and test kits, and associated WHO collaborating centres;
6. Provide HQ oversight of the WHO initiative to stop the invasion of Africa by An. stephensi, including all related key activities such as coordination of quarterly calls with affected Ministries of Health and their implementing partners, organization of stakeholder meetings, updating guidance on An. stephensi surveillance and control, and active engagement in the evaluation of new vector control technologies in the context of eliminating An. stephensi from already invaded areas of Africa;
7. Play a discernible role in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building activities for malaria entomology and vector control in line with WHO guidance and strategies (i.e. GVCR 2017-2030, Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030), including the development of vector surveillance and control training materials.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Postgraduate degree with specialization in medical entomology / vector control from a recognized university.
Desirable: Degree or postgraduate training in public health, epidemiology, tropical medicine and/or mathematical modelling.

Experience

Essential:

1. Minimum of seven years progressive experience, including at international level, in planning, implementing, coordinating, monitoring and evaluation of vector control programmes, and familiarity with the working and policy-making environment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
2. At least five years directly supporting Ministries of Health and national disease control programmes in one or more malaria endemic country/countries.
3. English writing skills, including keen attention to detail, as demonstrated by means of lead authorship on scientific papers on malaria vector control or a related topic in international peer-reviewed journals or other types of publications that clearly demonstrate substantial authorship contribution.
4. Experience in the formulation of policy or other forms of high-level organizational communication such as malaria operational plans or organizational initiatives.

Desirable:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of the global health landscape, including development partners, public-private partnerships, innovators, research entities, and implementation partners, as documented through involvement in advancing disease control initiatives.
2. Proven contribution to the development of global or national strategies, policies or guidance, and familiarity with the WHO guidelines development process.
3. Good knowledge of vector control technologies under development, and in-depth understanding how and where these technologies may most effectively contribute to the fight against malaria.
4. Demonstrated skills and experience in workshop design and facilitation.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of vector control, medical entomology and vector ecology with a particular focus on anopheline mosquitoes.
• Excellent knowledge of the epidemiology of malaria transmission and on the impact of interventions,including appropriate study designs to measure such impact.
• Good understanding of public health issues, including measurement of vector control coverage and insecticide resistance surveillance and management.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and write technical reports.
• English editing,proof-reading skills, including keen attention to detail.
• Willingness and ability to take responsibility;self-starter, self-motivated, self-manager, including ability to demonstrate initiative and work on her/hisown after instructions from supervisor.
• Ability to multi-task effectively and prioritize workload to meet deadlines, in a pressured environment with competing demands and high expectations.
• Ability to identify key issues, anticipate risks and alert management with proposed recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including integrity, good judgment and diplomacy, including proven ability to promote consensus.
• Proven ability to work as a member of a team and to maintain working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Good knowledge of WHO guidance on resistance monitoring in anopheline mosquitoes, WHO's guidance on entomological surveillance and WHO's guidelines on vector control.
• Proven ability to collect, collate,clean and analyze entomological surveillance data.
• Good knowledge of DHIS-2 and the entomology / vector control modules developed for this platform.
• Demonstrated project coordination and management skills.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 75,602 (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 4952 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.