Coordinator Epidemiologist – P4  

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Tropical and Vector Borne Disease Programme (TVD) is part of the Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce the disease burden in the WHO African Region by guiding the disease control agenda in Africa and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control. 

This approach is underpinned by the principles of a comprehensive whole of society, people-centred, integrated approaches to disease control. The comprehensive whole of society approaches to disease control involve (a) coherent implementation of triple response – technical response: implementing diseases specific normative guidance, promoting intervention mixes and deploying medical commodities; health systems response: building capacities of district service delivery systems in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and sector/subsector planning; and multi-sectoral response: addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of diseases through mobilizing non-health sectors, communities and stakeholders; (b) disease control partnership of public and private sectors, health and non-health sectors; and (c) community involvement in targeted high-risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is expected to contribute towards:

·       Leadership in disease control coordination, partnerships and resource               mobilization through:

o   Lead and coordinate unit efforts in developing epidemiologic profiles and bulletins related to tropical and vector-borne diseases.

o   Coordinate team efforts towards ensuring effective liaison with the precision public health team and the development of knowledge products. Coordination with WHO health emergency cluster (WHE) in developing and resourcing support for epidemic preparedness/ response plans related to Tropical and vector-borne disease outbreaks; active participation in epidemic risk assessment and outbreak investigations linked to TVDs. 

o   Support the identification and organization of technical assistance expertise to member states in the conduct of programme reviews on Tropical and Vector-Borne diseases.

o   Foster close collaboration with research institutions in Africa and elsewhere in the development of programmes for the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases, implementation of appropriate research, monitoring and evaluation agendas, including proactive contribution to disease surveillance;

o   Provide state-of-the-art technical expertise in Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases to inform reviews of the experiences and lessons in Tropical and vector-borne diseases with the view to proposing improved approaches and remedial actions, as well as monitoring progress and achievements, supporting the documentation of best practices

·       To contribute to developing work plans and budgetary proposals as required and perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

·       Development of WHO disease control, technical products, services, and tools through:

o   Provision of state-of-the-art expert advice to the Member States towards developing and implementing technically coherent strategies and plans for TVD, investigation, and response planning for TVD-related disease outbreaks.

o   Contributions to internal and member states capacity building efforts on TVD elimination and eradication in a manner as to improve efficiency, programme alignment and integration in line with the health sector and sub-sector plans, support the conduct of elimination audits and contribute technical expertise in the management and conduct of TVD elimination certification activities.

o   Provide technical support to countries in adopting and implementing WHO global normative guidance related to TVDs.

·       Generation of analytics-driven strategic information for disease control agenda setting and interventions tailoring by:

o   Supporting the evidence to policy continuum through technical contributions and leadership in the development of risk maps and intervention stratification models related to tropical and vector-borne disease.

o   Technical Support and leadership toward the dissemination, use and monitoring of relevant TVD information products and bulletins by the Member States.

Providing technical guidance and support to member states in developing and implementing relevant TVD information products, monitoring, evaluation, and operational research activities

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:   Postgraduate degree in medical epidemiology and/or tropical diseases
Desirable:  Training or additional academic specialization in Tropical and Infectious disease

Experience

Essential:  A minimum of 7 years of experience at the national and international levels in tropical and infectious diseases epidemiology with emphasis on NTDs, Malaria or other vector-borne diseases.
Desirable: Work experiences that are diverse, incorporating private sector, NGOs, other UN, or governmental Health related agencies

Skills

Knowledge and experience in the framework towards the attainment of Malaria Global technical Strategies in the African region, the global NTD road map and other relevant frameworks related to TVDs in the African region, knowledge at an expert level on tropical and vector-borne disease epidemiology.

WHO Competencies

·       Fostering integration and teamwork

·       Communication

·       Knowing and managing yourself

·       Producing results

·       Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

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

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 3338 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.

https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

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• 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.
• 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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