Technical Officer (Data analysis and Statistics), (P4), Fixed-Term

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 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.

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 with 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. Manage incident databases (cases and contacts) handled by WHE of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific including content, structure, file location and back-up system.

2. Conduct strategic analyses to support recognition and management of public health emergencies and develop and implement new or improved statistical methods and quantitative models for analyses and projections. Organize and prepare written outputs, including research and trend analysis briefs for strategic positioning of WHE work.

3. Initiate and coordinate the development of appropriate methods for obtaining relevant data to support WHE operational and programmatic objectives. Ensure the quality of collected data for accuracy, consistency and comparability. Research, analyse and present information gathered from diverse sources.

4. Develop or support the implementation of relevant databases, web publishing tools, and other software, as well as processes, to facilitate collection, storage, consolidation and dissemination of statistical information.

5. Respond to specific information requests from technical teams and partners, ensure dissemination of information and knowledge sharing with all partners.

6. Provide country-specific and aggregate intercountry information for the relevant WHO country office websites.

7. Provide technical expertise during inter-agency initiatives, related to information and data management, seeking to improve information sharing between partners, to strengthen access to information from other organizations and clusters, and to contribute to intersectoral dashboards and reports.

8. Apply technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills to support data needs related to WHE WPRO's all-cause/excess mortality analysis. Develop, maintain and update online mortality data collection platform and dashboard.

9. Act as focal point on the primary internal and external mortality metric data sources, working closely with others to ensure accuracy and consistency of mortality-related data definitions.

10. Support Member States to strengthen health information management systems by identifying data sources and gaps, recommending corrective actions and preparing relevant documents to include in project proposals, health needs overviews, and strategic plans.

11. Support the promotion of data and information sharing at all levels, and between response partners as well as the adoption of global data standards and relevant innovations.

12. 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.

13. Support the evaluation and monitoring of assigned tasks; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; and, ensure follow-up actions.

14. Act as IHR Duty Officer, as required.

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

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

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in epidemiology, information technology, health sciences, statistics, applied math, public health or a related discipline that includes a significant quantitative component.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in public health, epidemiology, data management, or health statistics. Training in health information systems from an accredited/recognized institution.

Experience

Essential: Minimum seven years' relevant experience in data and/or information management including relevant experience at international level.
Desirable: Prior health outbreak response or working experience at field level. Experience with managing or developing health information systems.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of information management and monitoring systems.

Demonstrated writing and editing skills with ability to understand technical issues in the field of public health and/or emergency situations.

Proven knowledge and skills in statistical collection, assessment, analysis and monitoring in a public health context.

Advanced ability to design, manage, analyse and coordinate complete information system projects, computer-based applications, databases and web-based tools.

Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills combined with the ability to multitask and produce results under pressure.

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
Knowing and managing yourself
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN language is an advantage. 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 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 2957 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.

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• 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.

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