Internship – Arbovirus Clinical Guidance- Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention- HQ/EPP

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (EPP) 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, EPP 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 of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention 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 Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses (EZD) team develops strategies, guidance, global mechanisms and interventions to address high threat pathogens responsible for epidemics or pandemics thereby reducing their impact on affected populations and limiting their international spread. This team deals with known emerging and re-emerging high threat pathogens such as (i) zoonotic diseases (for example Nipah virus and Hendra virus); (ii) arboviruses (for example zika and chikungunya); (iii) respiratory pathogens (for example MERS and plague); and (iv) bio-risks (for example smallpox).

In March 2022, the World Health Organization launched the Global Arbovirus Initiative, focusing on Aedes-borne arboviral diseases, to strengthen the coordination, communication, capacity-building, research, preparedness and response necessary to mitigate the growing risk of epidemics due to arboviral diseases. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the World Health Emergencies Programme, the Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, and the Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals Department.
These arboviruses often present very similar symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease, posing challenges for clinical diagnosis and management, potentially leading to severe and fatal outcomes; Diagnostic challenges, including the cross-reactivity of antibodies among flaviviruses further complicate the diagnosis to treatment process. All these uniqueness of the Arbovirus disease family underscore the need for integrated guidance for Aedes-borne diseases. WHO/HQ started the initial work of the Guidelines for Clinical Management and Diagnosis of Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and Yellow Fever (Arbovirus Clinical Guidelines; present guidelines) and a systematic review team has rigorously conducted a literature search to identify as many relevant studies as possible.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Terms of reference

Under the supervision of a technical expert, the intern will assist EZD and EPP at WHO in technical work on arboviruses, in particular chikungunya and Zika viruses, and assigned the agreed terms of reference:

• Participate in the preparation of the document of the clinical guidelines of arboviruses based on the results of the systematic review and the discussions held by the GDG for arboviruses.
• Support the internal and external discussions and the drafting of the final clinical guidance for arboviruses.
• Review and support the updating of WHO information products on Zika, chikungunya viruses and documents related to the Global Arbovirus Initiative
• Participate in on-going arbovirus technical projects and meetings, and EZD unit and EPP departmental projects and meetings, as requested

Learning objectives

The purpose of the WHO Internship Programme is to provide an enriching learning experience for students and recent graduates. The Learning Objectives outlined within each internship vacancy are a key component of the programme.

Within this internship, the intern will:

• Understand the objectives of WHOs work in epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, in general and specifically related to epidemic-prone arboviral diseases
• Communicate clearly about evidence review for clinical guideline development
• Know how to assemble data and prepare a comprehensive analysis
• Develop or refine the outline of a document
• DURATION OF INTERNSHIP

16 weeks – tentative start date 26 August 2024

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Have completed the equivalent of three years of full-time studies in epidemiology (Public Health, , Medicine, Global Health or related field) at a university or equivalent institution prior to commencing the assignment; AND be enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification (applicants who have already graduated may also qualify for consideration provided that they apply to the internship within six months after completion of their formal qualification).

Skills

Core competencies:

• Team work
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication

All interns should be able to demonstrate the following skills in line with the WHO core competencies:

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Showing willingness to learn from mistakes
• Producing and delivering quality results
• Working collaboratively with team members

In addition, interns need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes, for example, statistical software such as XLStat may be an advantage.

Experience

• Experience in research and/or in drafting reports
• Experience in the subject area through academic work or research
• Experience with medical/biological data analysis, and interest in the design of graphical display and analysis of health information for evidence-based guidance development

LANGUAGES

Essential:Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other UN language.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Interns do not receive a salary. They do however receive a living allowance. The allowance depends on the duty station and other external support (grant, scholarships, etc.) received by the intern. In Geneva, the maximum amount of the allowance provided by WHO is CHF 1680 per month. The exact amount of the living allowance will be calculated for each intern, after selection, based on a legal financial disclosure form that the individual will complete. In addition, all interns in Geneva will receive a lumpsum of CHF 20 for each working day to buy lunch at WHO campus or elsewhere. WHO also provides all interns with accident and medical insurance coverage.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Please note that internships at WHO are very competitive and only a small number of applicants will be accepted every year. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• Living abroad is expensive and finding accommodation can be challenging. All intern candidates should be aware of these factors before they consider applying for a WHO Internship.
• If selected for a WHO Internship, candidates will be required to provide certified copies of proof of enrolment in an eligible course of studies, a completed WHO medical certificate of fitness for work, and the contact details for reference checks.
• 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 (https://www.who.int/about/values) 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.
• 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 workforce. 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 toreasonableaccommodation@who.int
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• 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 shws@who.int.