Technical Officer (Influenza and other respiratory viruses), (Re-advertisement)

Candidates who have already applied for this position are still under consideration and do not need to apply again.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. WHE 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. WHE is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at ris of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities. The objectives of the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & International Health Regulations (CPI) programme area include the monitoring and evaluation of countries’ preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies as well as planning and implementation of country capacity-building for critical capacities, and serving as the Secretariat of the IHR (2005). CPI works based on an all-hazards approach and involves all three levels of the Organization and prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low-capacity countries. In WPRO, CPI is also responsible for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority high threat infectious hazards. This includes developing and supporting prevention and control strategies, tools and capacities for high threat infectious hazards, establishing and maintaining expert networks to detect, understand and manage new or emerging high threat infectious hazards as well as providing secretariat support for the management of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities: 1.Develop and promote, in collaboration with regional, field staff and national health officials, comprehensive, sustainable influenza surveillance systems including contributing to GISRS and GISRS-related activities2.Utilizing APHSAF, and with particular emphasis on timely response and reporting of outbreaks and pandemic influenza viruses, contribute to the planning of activities in countries together with HQ, country offices, partners and key stakeholders, to strengthen laboratory, surveillance and public health capacity capacity for influenza, zoonotic influenza and other respiratory viruses.3.Advocate and coordinate with regional and national counterparts and integrate contributions from across agencies in developing and adapting guidelines and tools in planning, implementing, monitoring, training and evaluating influenza surveillance and control programmes. The work will be carried out with WHO Collaborating Centres, National Influenza Centres, and relevant WHO teams in HQ, Regional and Country Offices.4.Take a One Health approach to assess, design, plan and implement plans, policies and strategies that support Member States to enhance surveillance and response for the management and control of influenza, zoonotic influenza and other respiratory viruses, including through the use of genomic surveillance. 5.Manage and promote coordination of timely responses to outbreaks, seasonal or pandemic influenza, zoonotic influenza or other respiratory viruses, including building integrated surveillance systems for respiratory diseases, working with various counterparts at regional and country levels, national health officials and other organizations.6.Provide leadership, technical advice and guidance to Member States and other organizations including UN agencies, bilateral developmental agencies, and nongovernmental agencies to ensure the coordination in prevention, preparedness, readiness, response and resilience to seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses, including zoonotic influenza viruses or other respiratory viruses, and support the timely dissemination of essential guidance and information.7.Contribute to the development and implementation of pandemic influenza preparedness plans and activities including building regional vaccine access and production capacity, serving as focal point in WHE WPR for vaccine composition matters, and influenza virus sharing issues.8.Working with internal and external stakeholders identify, develop and implement research activities supportive to the development of influenza vaccine policy, pandemic preparedness planning and strengthening and improving technical capacity in the region.9.Represent the programme area of work at various meetings and support resource mobilization efforts by advocating for pandemic influenza prevention, preparedness, readiness, response and resilience. 10.Contribute to the development of workplans, conduct periodic comprehensive programme reviews, and provide input to donor reports.11.Strengthen and build capacity in the training, assessment and development of pandemic response strategies including through the use of simulation exercises (such as IHR Exercise Crystal), intra- and after action reviews, Joint External Evaluations and state party annual reports12.Coordinate the establishment of systems of support to countries, including the timely monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements in the respective area of work.13.Participate in the incident management structure (IMS) during any disease outbreaks, pandemic or other public health emergency; 14.Perform the duties of WHO Western Pacific Regional Office IHR Duty Officer on a rotational basis, as part of a roster of WHE staff.15.Upon request, provide technical support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency activities at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency; and16.Perform other related duties, as requested by the supervisor, including provision of support to other areas of work and teams or programme areas within the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree in microbiology, virology, molecular epidemiology, public health or related fields.
Desirable: A PhD or equivalent in the above mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in communicable diseases control, including international experience, of which a minimum of five years professional experience at regional or global levels, including interaction with national authorities. Experience of working in virology laboratories or surveillance units for influenza, zoonotic influenza and/or other respiratory viruses.
Desirable: Experience in building influenza capacity for pandemic prevention, preparedness, readiness, response and resilience. Demonstrated experience in addressing virus sharing issues related to Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). Experience of leading projects or programmes focusing on influenza, zoonotic influenza or other respiratory viruses. Experience of working with WHO or other UN agencies.

Skills

•Advanced knowledge of outbreaks and influenza surveillance, sound understanding of the principal stakeholders, and familiarity with UN system.•Demonstrated knowledge of pandemic preparedness planning issues in national and international contexts•Broad knowledge of principles, practices, methodology and techniques in public health and epidemiology.•Skills in health situation analysis, policy development, and project management.•Excellent scientific writing, analytical skills and effective writing of technical documents.•Organizational and analytical skills for filtering and managing epidemiological data.•Ability to analyze technical information and synthesize inputs from multiple sources.•Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.•Ability to produce results under pressure and work on multiple activities simultaneously.•Demonstrated effectiveness in building sustained partnerships and working with others in international settings.•Capacity to work on cross-sectoral projects.•Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

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 92,731 (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 3987 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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 shws@who.int.

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

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