Public health Officer (epidemiology)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (EPR) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. Within EPR, Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR(CPI) unit is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of countries’ preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning and country capacity building for critical capacities and the Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The World Health Organization (WHO) plays several key roles in public health surveillance in South Sudan. Through these roles, WHO contributes to strengthening public health surveillance, enhancing the country’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to public health threats. Under the overall guidance of the WHO Country Representative and direct supervision of the EPR Team Lead, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks The incumbent will support and work closely with the Ministry of Health, and partners, including USAID, FAO, ECHO, UNICEF, IOM, and UNOCHA, among others at national and subnational levels in the following. He/she will be performing the following tasks: Surveillance System Management: Support the MoH central and subnational level to plan, implement, manage, and evaluate the surveillance system. Ensure the system’s adequacy in monitoring and predicting public health events and disease outbreaks in South Sudan. Disease Outbreak Response: Provide technical support in the investigation and response to disease outbreaks. This includes identifying potential cases, conducting epidemiological investigations, implementing control measures and monitoring their effectiveness, and developing reports on the findings. Data Analysis and Reporting: Analyze surveillance data to identify trends and patterns. Prepare regular surveillance reports and disseminate these to relevant stakeholders. Capacity Building: Train and mentor local staff on surveillance procedures and disease outbreak response. This includes building capacity in data collection, analysis, interpretation, and use of surveillance data for decision-making and ensuring the sustainability and efficiency of the surveillance system Strengthening Laboratory Networks: Work In collaboration with the National Public Health Laboratory and various partners, to enhance South Sudan’s laboratory network. This includes the development of infrastructure and implementation of training initiatives alongside the establishment of robust quality assurance systems. Additionally, streamlining supply chain management, fostering integration with disease surveillance systems for the facilitation of timely and accurate data for disease prevention and control, and ensuring efficient and secure data systems for effective record keeping. Engaging in collaborations to standardize operations and ensure regulatory compliance, quality, and safety benchmarks. Partnership and Collaboration: Coordinate with local health authorities, non-governmental organizations, and international health agencies including UN agencies, and One Health partners and stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient surveillance operations for joint planning, investigation, and response to emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases Policy and Guidelines Development: Assist in the development of national surveillance policy and guidelines, as well as the implementation of global surveillance standards

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (master’s level) in a relevant field (such as medicine, public health, epidemiology or statistics).
Desirable: PhD in public health or related medical field. Training or specialization in communicable diseases and noncommunicable diseases

Experience

Essential: At Seven (07) years of experience in public health surveillance, preferably in resource-limited settings, or Health surveillance systems and respond to disease outbreaks, Data analysis and report writing.
Desirable: Demonstrated experience with statistical packages and/or data analysis software (e.g. SPSS, Excel, Epi Info, SMART, STAT 01) and advanced computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases) are a must; Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel including knowledge of Excel functions and experience in routinely collating and summarizing large datasets in Excel.

Skills

Ability to work effectively with colleague’s Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; Sound security awareness; Have affinity with or interest in core values of the World Health Organization Knowledge or sound understanding of the impact of acute malnutrition on child’s health and survival, and the burden on populations. Excellent interpersonal communication, writing skills, discretion, tact and diplomacy. Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Good knowledge of databases

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

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 3654 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.

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