Technical Officer- Geographic Information System (GIS) and Spatial Analysis

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 Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) programme area of WHE is responsible for providing timely and authoritative situation analysis, risk assessment and response monitoring available for all major health threats, events and emergencies. This includes detecting, verifying and assessing the risk of potential and ongoing health emergencies; establishing data collection mechanisms and monitoring ongoing health emergency operations; providing data management, analytics and reporting platform to produce and disseminate timely emergency health information products

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:

1. Contribute to the design and implementation of geospatial programmes and activities in the Region working across teams in the Regional Office and with all levels of the Organization.
2. Manage GIS systems, collect, analyse, update, edit and maintain geospatial datasets, and conduct statistical analysis in order to support operational and programmatic objectives.
3. Participate in incident response and support incident management teams as and when required either remotely or in the field.
4. Coordinate field data collection, create maps and other cartographic products in the context of health emergencies or other programmes as required, using standardized and/or innovative information management systems and tools.
5. Support risk mapping and vulnerability assessment in collaboration with disaster risk reduction and other relevant programme areas of WHO.
6. Develop and provide capacity-building and training to colleagues within WHO, Member States and partners, with a focus on enhancing epidemiological, analytical, information management, GIS, and communication skills, and raising awareness of how spatial analysis can contribute to operational and programmatic outcomes.
7. Support Member States and WHO country offices in their GIS and health information needs, including training and capacity-building, GIS software/licensing, geospatial analysis and presentation and interpretation of geospatial and statistical evidence.
8. Deliver bespoke GIS solutions to support reports, publications and presentations, including dashboards. Encourage or promote the implementation of new approaches and innovative methods to communicate technical information, with an emphasis on spatial analysis.
9. Provide technical support to Member States' implementation of the IHR 2005 core capacities using APSED III as a strategic framework, and guided by For the Future.
10. Act as IHR Duty Officer, as required.
11. Upon request, provide technical support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency activities at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency.
12. Perform other related duties, as requested by the supervisor, including provision of support to other areas of work and teams or programme areas with WHE, as required.
    

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in epidemiology, public health, international health, geographic information systems, geography, computer sciences, information systems or a related discipline from a recognized university.
Desirable: Recognized training in GIS in lieu of non-GIS related degree. Advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary science, nursing or a related discipline from a recognized university.

Experience

Essential: Minimum seven years' experience, at national and international levels, with successful track record in geospatial analysis using different analytical/ mapping and online data management packages such as ArcGIS. Must be conversant with information management software such as SPSS, Stata, "R" and SAS. Experience in supporting field data collection and analysis during outbreaks or other public health emergencies.

Desirable: Experience of routine analysis and reporting of time-sensitive public health data. Experience in resource-limited settings. Experience in working with WHO, UN agencies or other international organizations.

Skills

• Demonstrable experience with geospatial information management and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to interact in complex situations involving technical, cultural and political elements.
• Strong analytical, information management and interpretive skills.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Strong presentation skills with excellent ability to use visualization software and tools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of emerging diseases and public health emergencies in international contexts.
• Ability to synthesize and effectively communicate scientific and technical information.
• Excellent communication skills, with ability to use tact, diplomacy and courtesy to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders in an international environment.
• Strong writing abilities, including the ability to prepare briefing notes and talking points tailored to different audiences.
• Proven ability to multitask and produce high quality products under very tight deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in an environment that requires flexibility.
• 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
Promoting innovation and Organizational learning
Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent level of written and spoken English is essential.
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN language is an advantage.

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 3037 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.