Epidemiologist

POSITION NUMBER 439852 - EPIDEMIOLOGIST P4 TEMPORARY

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To build resilient health systems to advance UHC and health security to promote health and well-being for all in the Region and to support countries of the Region achieve UHC and health security by building resilient health systems through health system strengthening based on the PHC approach.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direction supervision of the HWCO and technical guidance of the Health Systems Specialist, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Provide technical expertise for development and implementation of new policies and programmes related to prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases of international public health concern;

2. Establish early warning systems for epidemic and pandemic-prone diseases for early detection and response to public health events of national and international concern;

3. Conduct real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data on infectious diseases, with other team members, for epidemic forecasting and detection;

4. Monitor and evaluate the core surveillance, alert and response capacities for event detection, verification and response in accordance with the core requirement for implementation of IHR 2005;

5. Collaborate with the national health authorities to develop appropriate plan of action for building the core surveillance, alert and response capacities in accordance with the requirement for IHR 2005;

6. Provide technical expertise to develop cross-border plans and programmes for strengthening epidemiological and laboratory surveillance system for prevention and control of disease with epidemic and pandemic potentials in accordance with IHR 2005;

7. Develop surveillance guidelines, protocols, tools and standard operating procedures (SoPs) for detection, verification and response to public health events of national and international concern;

8. Conduct field investigation for outbreak verification, risk assessment and provide technical support for rapid public health response to public health emergencies emanating from known or unknown disease pathogens;

9. Develop project proposals for resource mobilization and to augment operations response to epidemics and pandemics;

10. In collaboration with the national health authorities develop infection prevention and control programmes in health care facilities, particularly focusing on health facilities preparedness and response to epidemics and pandemics;

11. Participate in the organization-wide event management system of WHO's alert and response operations to epidemics and pandemics;

12. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree in epidemiology, medicine and/or public health; specialization in epidemiology.
Desirable:

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of experience working in epidemiology conducting monitoring and evaluation of diseases and public health issues.
Desirable: Experience in the areas of outbreak investigation and response for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response with particular attention to application of an all-hazard approach in the context of the International Health Regulations and the use of descriptive epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and response. Ability to process, analyze and interpret epidemiological and event-based surveillance data for epidemic and pandemic risk assessment. Familiarity with the health problems in the Region. Demonstrable skills in the use of epidemiological and statistical software.

WHO Competencies

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

WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

Use of Language Skills

Essential: of English.
Desirable: of Arabic.

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 77,326 (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 2049 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion)are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line. For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile on Stellis is updated; all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are not accessible.

• In view of the current situation, Libya has been declared as a non-family duty station; i.e., dependents are not allowed to visit or reside with the staff member at the duty station.