Technical Officer

WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.    

The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India’s population of 1.3 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. 

Duties: 

Under the managerial oversight of Deputy Team Leader – NPSN, and day to day supervision of National Professional Officer (VPD Surveillance), with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India work plans in accordance with the WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy with India, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities in her/his assigned area of work:

• Provide technical oversight and strategic guidance for establishment of laboratory supported surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases in India;
• Provide strategic oversight for using the experience and best practices of surveillance for poliovirus detection to establish surveillance for other vaccine preventable diseases so that the benefits of polio eradication can be used for broader health system strengthening at primary health care settings;
• Provides technical assistance in developing the national guidelines and standard operating procedures for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) surveillance in the country;
• Monitors and evaluates performance of VPD surveillance at national, state and district levels through data analysis
• Prepares feedback about performance of VPD surveillance for internal use and for sharing with the Government;
• Conducts field visits to review the VPD surveillance processes in the field and provide the findings and recommendations;
• Track timeliness and completeness of the flow of surveillance data between the field and national level;
• Liaises with institutions, organizations and technical bodies at the national level to maintain and increase their involvement in surveillance activities;
• Assists in planning, organizing and conducting meetings of Expert Review Committee for AFP case classification of cases eligible for expert review;
• Assists in planning and conducting VPD surveillance cum UIP reviews of states/UTs with participation from national and international institutions drafting review reports and follows up implementation of recommendations;
• Provides technical assistance in maintaining and expanding environmental surveillance;
• Assists the National Professional Officer (VPD Surveillance) in capacity building of Surveillance Medical Officers to carry out surveillance activities;
• Develop proposals for donor funding for surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases;
• Coordinates with IDSP to strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak response in the country
• Prepare draft reports, strategic documents and programme updates for policy makers and partners, and ensure the quality of programme bulletins, surveillance reports and other scientific publications related to vaccine preventable disease surveillance;
• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor/s;
• Submits a report of work done to the Team Leader-National Public Health Support Network (NPSN) at the end of the SSA.

Qualifications Required:

Education:

Essential:

• MBBS recognized by National Medical Commission, India (former Medical Council of India) with State Medical Council registration.

Experience: 

Essential:

• At least 2 years professional experience in the development and implementation of health programmes at the national/state level in the area of epidemiology and control of communicable diseases with particular expertise and experience in vaccine preventable diseases, the polio eradication or disease surveillance programmes

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of Hindi. Proficiency in computer applications, data analysis and ability to draft reports.

Source:  https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2403610