Technical Officer (Pandemic Preparedness)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Global Infectious Hazards Preparedness (GIH) advances global efforts to prevent and control existing and emerging infectious diseases by increasing access to evidence-based interventions; fostering impactful innovation; and leveraging technical, operational and strategic partnerships. In addition, GIH develops global mechanisms to facilitate coordination and collaboration between countries and multi-sectoral partners for catastrophic events of natural, accidental or deliberate origin. The department is committed to delivering GPW13 Outcome 2.2 Epidemics and pandemics prevented, through: Delivering risk assessment, technical guidance, interventions and control strategies for country impact; Promoting innovation and adoption of new technologies; Aligning and coordinating international action through trusted partnership, Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to life-saving interventions and supplies.The IPR team strengthens global seasonal influenza prevention and control and preparedness for future pandemics and facilitates work to improve global tools to prevent and treat the disease by promoting vaccine research and innovation. IPR also supports overall implementation of the global influenza strategy including building better global capacity through development of strategies, guidance, global mechanisms and interventions to address influenza and other respiratory pathogens responsible for epidemics or pandemics thereby reducing their impact on affected populations and limiting their international spread.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, support urgent activities for development of a risk management system and structure for COVID 19 technical decisions, support overall management of the Global Influenza Strategy, research and innovation for vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics and policy development through:

1. Support policy, advocacy and coordination efforts to develop a framework for monitoring the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants and a system for risk management of COVID 19 in order to support the COVID 19 response and planning.
2. Manage the implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the Global Influenza Strategy, including expanding to support inclusion of broader respiratory pathogens on the influenza platform, providing support to WHO Regional and Country office counterparts to strengthen influenza prevention, control, and preparedness through the development of technical guidance, policy support, and advocacy materials. Ensure alignment of the Global Influenza Strategy with relevant internal and external stakeholders, activities, and strategies including broader respiratory pathogens.
3. Support policy, advocacy, and coordination efforts for the expansion of GISRS to include other respiratory viruses and provide long-term programmatic support for respiratory disease preparedness.
4. Conduct activities to support research and innovation for “Better Global Tools” for influenza prevention and control including: conducting landscape mapping and analyses to continuously monitor advancements in research, development, and innovation for influenza vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics and leveraging lessons learned from COVID-19 for next generation influenza vaccines.
5. Liaise with the Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals Department to support influenza vaccine policy, research and development, and support activities, including direct support to the influenza working group of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization for influenza policy.
6. Liaise with HQ departments and Regional and Country Office counterparts to plan and implement national policy efforts to sustain local production of influenza vaccines.
7. Plan and implement pandemic influenza vaccine response activities, including the development of operational guidance to ensure WHO activities are coordinated with external stakeholders.
8. Lead IPR policy activities, ensuring alignment and coordination of influenza activities and strategies across the organization. Liaise with communications staff to develop and support internal and external influenza communications.
9. Conduct IPR programme management, including grant management, budgeting, and donor reporting.
10. Welcome opportunities to support multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting approaches to work as required; deploy for assignments upon request to support the program as needed; and perform all other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in public health, biomedical sciences, or other related areas
Desirable: Training or specialization in infectious diseases.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of professional work experience in infectious diseases policy and programmatic issues, including influenza pandemic preparedness and response. Experience managing complex public health projects at the international or national level.
Desirable: Experience in WHO to understand its mandate, goals and practices as related to the work or experience in UN or an international institution in similar functions. Sound experience in project management including coordination of several projects across various partners/stakeholders. Experience in developing logic frameworks and project performance assessments.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of influenza prevention and control strategies. Demonstrated capacity in drafting, producing, and disseminating policy briefings and knowledge synthesis products. Ability to engage, build consensus, and communicate effectively with partners. Excellent organizational, problem-solving, knowledge management and analytical skills, complemented by interpersonal and presentation skills. Tact, discretion and diplomacy and adaptability in a multicultural environment. Ability set priorities and to produce results under pressure and meet deadlines. High level of judgment and initiative.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization’s Position in Health Leadership

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 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 5883 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• 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.

• 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 [email protected]

• 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.

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• 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.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].

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