Technical Officer

The position is responsible for leading the development and implementation of collaborative surveillance approaches in the Region.

Provide high level expertise in development and implementation of strategies, plans and approaches for the establishment, operation, and sustainability of collaborative surveillance.

Lead the work on bridging vertical and horizontal surveillance approaches including sharing data, workforce capacities and expertise, applying interoperative data platforms and standards, and conducting joint risk assessment and investigations for better epidemic intelligence.

Foster collaboration across disease surveillance systems, sectors, the emergency cycle and geographic levels for collaborative approaches for event detection, risk assessment and epidemic alert and response activities.

Provide technical support and guidance to countries, regional partners and other stakeholders in implementation of collaborative surveillance to better address all health hazards across the risk management cycle.

Build partnerships with the various counterparts, including countries, international partners and expert networks to implement appropriate interventions, including strategic planning, facilitation, guidance, and information and documentation development for collaborative surveillance.

Provide programmatic support to collaborative surveillance projects including workplan development, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.

Liaise with external funders and implementers to increase alignment and effectiveness of collaborative surveillance investments, and support WHO, countries and partners to develop funding proposals and implementation plans for collaborative surveillance.

Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior leadership and other stakeholders on strategy and implementation, highlighting progress and achievements as well as identifying challenges and options for improvement.

Participate in regular meetings with the WSE Division in Berlin Hub and other regional teams to share updates and progress of collaborative surveillance work in the Region.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree (Masters or above) in medicine, microbiology, public health, veterinary medicine or other area related to the function.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least 7 years’ experience working on public health surveillance and prevention and control of infectious diseases, including at least 3 years working on either epidemiology, microbiology or veterinary services.

Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills in international and multi-cultural settings, including the proven capacity to lead and deliver on deadlines during periods of intense stress and activity; demonstrated ability to provide independent leadership in such periods with capacity to organize, monitor and synthesize information quickly and concisely. Proven ability to successfully coordinate, manage and lead projects and workshops, and build partnerships, across agencies and organizational departments in the context of health emergencies. Expert level knowledge of infectious diseases, critical for promoting a public health perspective and approach, such as infectious disease epidemiology, prevention and control, health emergency preparedness and response, and significant practical application of this knowledge in an international context. Proven understanding of the management of acute and urgent public health responses, including infectious disease outbreaks in humanitarian emergencies. Demonstrated effectiveness in building sustained partnerships and working with others in international settings.

Language Skills:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Source:  https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2401645