Surveillance Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.Within WHE, 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). CPI has an all- hazards approach and involves all three levels of the Organization. CPI prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low-capacity countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative and the direct supervision of the Team Lead WHO Health Emergencies, the incumbent will:

• Support the implementation of WHO activities in the area of Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR including providing support to the Ministry of Health and other sectors.
• Developing/updating national emergency preparedness and response plans.
• Creating and updating the Country Office’s contingency and business continuity plans as well as assisting MoH in creating and updating their national contingency plans.
• Provision of assistance in risk assessments, and critical core capacities for all-hazard health emergencies.
• Supporting the monitoring, evaluation and objective assessment of country core capacities, ensuring the implementation of the International Health Regulations.
• Provide technical support and assist in the development of surveys and monitoring/surveillance systems for detection, verification and response to outbreaks by ensuring efficiency of data collection, correlation, analysis, interpretation and timely reporting at the Organization and Government counterparts at National level.
• Support the updates and reviews of contingency plans, standards operating procedures for coordination, training materials, guidelines, job aids and other relevant materials.
• Ensure monitoring of activities and support reporting of implemented activities, key performance indicators and other achievements.
• Support surveillance activities including community-based surveillance, cross-border surveillance and PoE surveillance within the framework of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and Early Warning Systems (EWARS).
• Under close technical guidance and supervision of the respective WHE unit, provide technical assistance at country level on priority issues such as: emergency preparedness, surveillance and response; strengthening health systems, operational readiness and essential public health functions.
• Act as first-line emergency responder in case of a country emergency in line with the ERF II and support the WHE Team in the country in case of a graded emergency.
• Support emergency teams, where relevant and in close collaboration with the Regional Office, support the provision of data and information required for any WHE-related documents to be presented to WHO Governing bodies, for the work and deliberation of an IHR Emergency Committee or an IHR Review Committee or a technical consultation.
• Assist and contribute to promoting partnerships in the country with relevant health stakeholders, to ensure the successful implementation, monitoring and evaluation of capacities in line with IHR requirements, as well as the identification of financing for WHE country plans.
• Link with institutions, associations and non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches.
• Assist in preparations of missions to the country and support consultants in country.
• Assist the WHE Team Lead in Country Office in all managerial, administrative and liaison activities with the Regional Office and support the effective implementation of all WHO activities in the country as elaborated in the CCS or other WHO action plans.
• Perform other related responsibilities as requested by supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: A university degree (bachelor’s) in medicine, or medical allied sciences.
• Desirable: Masters or postgraduate in Public Health preferably in Epidemiology or other relevant areas.

Experience

• Essential: Minimum five years of national professional experience in planning,developing and implementing programmes/projects in the area of health security, including emergency preparedness.
• Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies;experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Relevant experience in the implementation of International Health Regulations.

Skills

Knowledge of International Health Regulations (2005), the epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats, and of issues and practices for disease prevention and control. Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure. Knowledge of the UN and humanitarian systems for emergency response and preparedness. Excellent knowledge of IHR (2005) and the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate with partners Demonstrated capacity to write technical documents in a clear and concise manner Familiarity with other global health security threats in the region, as well as issues and practices for disease prevention and control. Knowledge of the UN and humanitarian systems for emergency response and preparedness.

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
• Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2403433&tz=GMT%2B05%3A30&tzname=Asia%2FCalcutta