Technical Officer (Early Warning and Response System)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

 

The mission of the Division of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

 

The WHE Division brings together and enhances WHO’s operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. The Programme is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

 

The position is responsible for supporting Early Warning and Response System (EWRS):

 

1.       Implement comprehensive training modules on EWRS, Epidemic Intelligence, and digital event-based surveillance provided by WHO, targeting central and provincial level staff. Emphasis is placed on Public Health Emergency Management, Emergency Risk Communication, and CBRNE.”

 

2.       Create a well-organized curriculum for e-learning packages on EWRS, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and adherence to industry best practices and liaising with relevant RO or HQ counterparts as needed to adopt WHO endorsed training packages where relevant.

 

3.       Regularly assess the quality of e-learning materials, guaranteeing accuracy, relevance, and interactivity, and revise content based on feedback and field updates.

 

4.       Together with RO/HQ technical team, lead digitalization efforts for event-based surveillance systems, integrating technological solutions for data collection, analysis, and reporting.

 

5.       Collaborate with stakeholders to implement digital tools and platforms enhancing event-based surveillance capabilities.

 

6.       Deliver training on epidemiological data analysis, including statistical tools, data visualization, and interpretation of surveillance data.

 

7.       Provide guidance on best practices for analyzing and interpreting epidemiological trends and patterns.

 

8.       Work with the transfer of knowledge team to develop user-friendly risk communication materials and training.

 

9.       Assist the Ministry of Health in carrying out real-time monitoring of infectious disease outbreaks by utilizing a combination of Google Trends search results or other methodologies.

 

10.   Establish strong collaborations with WHO and partner agencies to cover various aspects of public health response to outbreaks.

 

11.   Support multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting approaches to work and facilitate participation in such approaches.

 

12.   Stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices in EWRS, proactively recommending enhancements and updates.

 

13.   Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

 

Essential: First university degree in Medicine or Public Health or other health related fields from an accredited institute.
Desirable: Advanced degree (Master’s) Public Health or other health related fields from an accredited institute. Training on epidemiological surveillance and response/outbreak investigation/field epidemiology.

 

Experience

 

Essential: At least 5 years’ experience working on the control and prevention of infectious diseases including on epidemic diseases and networking with clinicians. At least 3 of the 5 years with international exposure.
Desirable: Proven primary responsibility for managing cross-cutting initiatives involving different departments or organizational entities in a multinational context such as the UN, WHO or similar. Knowledge of WHO policies and procedures.

 

Skills

 

·         Proven ability to successfully coordinate, manage and lead projects, and build partnerships, across agencies and organizational departments in the context of health emergencies.

 

·         Expert level knowledge of infectious diseases, particularly in those areas such as influenza, critical for promoting a public health perspective and approach, such as infectious disease epidemiology, prevention or control, monitoring and vaccination 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 and experience in outbreak investigation and management. Proven experience in management (finances, budgets and staff) and clear proof of responsibility for management of work plan activities.

 

·         Demonstrated effectiveness in building sustained partnerships and working with others in international settings.

 

WHO Competencies

 

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

 

Use of Language Skills

 

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

 

 

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 64,121 (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 2212 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected]

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

• In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates