Technical Officer

The incumbent, technical focal point for one health, will report directly to the Infectious Hazards Management (IHM) officer under the overall guidance of the EPR Team Lead and Head, WHO Country Office. S/he will work closely with the relevant technical teams, ensuring that advocacy, promotion and development of relevant One Health strategies and tools in close consultation with the animal health sector.

Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected):

• Increase visibility of One Health approach to health security
• Strengthen capacity in preparedness , management and control of infectious hazards including zoonoses through providing strategic guidance on the incorporation of the One Health approach and principles in country health security strategy/policy/plan
• Support to develop and/or review preparedness and response action plan(s) for highly pathogenic zoonotic diseases in line with the One Health Approach/ Agenda and policies.
• Monitor and evaluate of the implementation of the One-Health action plan and provide appropriate recommendations and technical advice, accordingly.
• Coordinate and establish effective mechanism for collaboration and communication with related partners to implement One-Health agenda, in preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases outbreaks.
• Support the establishment of relevant health security coordination platform/mechanism as required by the country.
• Contribute to field and laboratory investigations of zoonotic diseases and promote prevention and control strategies in animals, to prevent animal-human transmission.
• Provide support for the development of early warning systems (including event and indicator-based surveillance) for epidemic and pandemic prone diseases for early detection and response to public health threats including zoonoses;
• Provide support for joint risk assessment, vulnerability risk analysis and mapping and development of zoonotic diseases preparedness and response plan at country level;
• Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of zoonotic disease outbreak news, technical documents, updates, and assessments required;
• Provide technical support for the One Health advocacy activities such as global One Health commemoration day, World rabies day, and World week for antimicrobial awareness;
• Perform any other assignments as delegated by the supervisor.

Recruitment Profile
Competencies (Describe the core, management or leadership competencies required –  See WHO competency model – list in order of priority, commencing with the most important ones – identify a minimum of three and a maximum of five competencies):

• Building and promoting partnerships across WHO and beyond.
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Ensuring effective use of resources        
• Fostering integration and teamwork
• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Functional Skills and Knowledge (Describe skills and knowledge specific to the post): Describe the essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position
• Basic knowledge of emergency preparedness and response, including but not limited to health emergency information, risk assessment or One Health Agenda.
• Exposure to working across sectors, public relations, negotiation, or consultative skills
• Demonstrated knowledge, competency, and professional skills on the public health aspects of zoonotic infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness, and response with particular attention to application of all hazard approach in context of the IHR (2005)

Education (Qualifications):

• Essential: First university degree in public health, veterinary medicine, animal health, public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, or related relevant field of study
• Desirable: Advanced degree in One-Health, veterinary science, medicine, public health, animal health, Eco health with specialization in zoonotic diseases or specialist veterinary or health field is an advantage.

Experience:

• Essential: Minimum of five years’ experience in animal health, environment, veterinary science or medicine, agriculture, public health zoonotic disease surveillance and response using IDSR or animal health surveillance system like ADNIS or related relevant field.
• Desirable: Previous experience working in collaboration with various development partners in zoonotic diseases surveillance is desirable. Experience in implementation of surveillance and outbreak investigation and response, with special focus on zoonotic diseases and/or application of One Health principle, would be an added advantage.

Languages:

• Essential: Excellent knowledge of English.
• Desirable : Knowledge of Somali language.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402034