National Professional Officer (Communicable Diseases)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

1. Decrease morbidity andmortality from vaccine preventable illnesses. 2. Enhance Ministry of Health(MOH) capacities in formulation, development, implementation and evaluation ofnational communicable disease programs. 3. Assist national authoritiesin strengthening the health sector contribution to achieving universal accessto communicable disease prevention, treatment and care.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties: 1. Provide technical support tothe office in the area of Communicable Diseases ensuring that the activities in this area arecarried out efficiently and effectively. 2. Develop and implement actionplans for interventions in high-risks groups and environments and recommend measures forspecial attention. 3. Substantively contribute tothe development of national strategies and policies through policy advice and guidance on plans ofaction for improvements in existing health systems for prevention and care ofCommunicable Diseases. 4. Research, compile andevaluate a variety of data and information related to communicable disease outbreak: identifydisease sources and provide recommendations concerning appropriate response to identified risks, and implementation of preventative measures and preparereports. 5. Develop improvements andinnovate existing information systems on Communicable Diseases and themonitoring of progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) facilitatingintegration with the national health information systems. 6. Serve as a technicalresource to the public concerning communicable diseases in the country(ies);respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related,practices, procedures, issues, and measures. 7. Develop, implement, andconduct a variety of community outreach activities concerning the prevention, diagnosis andtreatment of communicable diseases; prepare and deliver presentations; compile,develop and distribute related informational materials. 8. Liaise with nationalcounterparts, donors, development partners (UN and bilateral), and WHO technical departments toharmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to CommunicableDiseases and resolve issues or concerns. 9. Ensure quality assurance andrelevance of contractual engagements with partners and institutions and make recommendations regarding WHO’s support. 10. Participate as a resource person in training/orientation programmes in the related areas for capacity building. 11. When delegated representWHO at various meetings.12. All other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s level or above) in a Health-related field (medicineor public health).
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Medicine/Public Health/Communicable Diseases.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in communicable diseases focusing on theareas of investigation, surveillance, and control, as well as developing 4 strategies and action plans for implementing disease prevention programmes.Within this experience demonstrated professional experience working at thecountry and/or regional level providingtechnical advice and services to national counterparts, and other partners oncommunicable disease related issues.
Desirable:

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of country situation with regard to Communicable Diseases with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures inthe related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting. • Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. • Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities. • Excellent knowledge of Health and safety regulations. • Technicalaspects of field of specialty. • Public speaking techniques. • Excellent drafting and communication skills. • Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Arabic.
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 66,001 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• 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 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.

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

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• 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 shws@who.int.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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