OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

 

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) 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. The Infectious Hazard Management Unit of the Health Emergencies Programme is 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 managing high-threat infectious hazards, establishing and maintaining experts networks to detect, understand, diagnose , characterize and manage new or emerging high threat infectious hazards as well as providing secretariat support to implement the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness(PIP) Framework and the management of the 15 December 20232024-2025.2PIP partnership Contribution funds in eligible countries in WHO SEAR.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

 

Under the direct supervision of PAM/IHM, second level supervision of Lead-Health Emergencies and overall guidance of RED SEARO, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:

 

1. Supports PAM(IHM) to plan, coordinate and provide technical support to implement the Global Influenza Strategy , pandemic Influenza framework and broad respiratory pathogen planning including influenza and respiratory virus specific laboratory component in order to ensure preparedness for influenza and other respiratory viruses of pandemic/epidemic potential in MS through WHO coordinated Global Influenza Surveillance and response system (GISRS) and other networks , The support to PAM for provision/facilitation of technical support will focus mainly on contributing to global/regional/national policies. Strategies, SoPs, and technical support to MS through GISRS and other influenza networks.

 

2. When nominated, participates in global and regional meetings, consultations, workshop, or any other assigned meeting with HQ/WCO technical teams etc. relevant to Global Influenza Strategy, PIP and broad respiratory pathogens defined as priorities by PAM-IHM

 

3. In consultation with PAM -IHM collaborates with technical officers dealing with data management, Burden of Disease, zoonotic influenza, one health, public health laboratories at WHE to Support PAM to ensure key priority activities related to these areas pertinent to influenza networks supported, documented, and reported to global, regional levels of WHO and partners.

 

4. Supports PAM-IHM to provide technical support to WCOs for outbreak and pandemic preparedness and response, in relation to influenza and broad respiratory pathogens outbreaks and contributes to support implementation relevant to WHO recommendations and other supports for on-the-ground outbreak response. This support may also include development of 3specifications, reviewing procurements documents including specifications and technical support to IHM unit executive assistant, OSL and WCOs for laboratory related procurements

 

5. Technically supports PAM-IHM to (1) provide IHM unit’s inputs to HIM/WHE in conducting rapid risk assessments and (II) coordinate information exchanges for HIM (a) from the Influenza/respiratory pathogen networks for flu event verifications and (b)obtain information from HIM unit for potential technical support to MS for response and reporting to GIP/HQ.

 

6. Support PAM-IHM in planning, designing, coordination and implementation of Global Influenza strategy, PIP and PRET related activities including research, prepare reports, document achievements, coordinate/prepare annual/bi-annual, monthly reports, prepare updates and updating the IHM website and any other WHO multiple documentation forms in consultation withthe PAM-IHM,

 

7. Promote multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches and activities including laboratory component in relation to Global Influenza Strategy with PHLS, other units within WHE, other departments in WHE SEARO in particular IVD/CDS and regulatory focal point at the HSD, WHOCCs, related laboratory networks and key partners such as US CDC and others.

 

8. Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping for countries as required.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education

 

Essential: A university degree in the area of laboratory sciences from a recognized university
Desirable: A master’s degree in public health

 

Experience

 

Essential: At least two years’ work experience in the public health activities including laboratory and project coordination in the area of influenza and other respiratory pathogens (virus) of epidemic and pandemic potential

 

Desirable: Experience of working with the UN and in a developing country is an advantage. Also desirable is working experience in assisting supervisors in their work related to (1) coordinate public health projects (2) solve strategic and managerial issues around project management (3) conduct Public Health laboratory activities

 

Skills

 

• In-depth knowledge and experience in public health, influenza, and broad respiratory virus pathogens with focus on program or project coordination and the laboratory component• Proven organizational, coordination and analytical skills, together with excellent interpersonal skills.• Capacity to (a) promote collaboration, coordination, information exchange with partners (b) implement best practices related to the subject area.• Proven ability to write technical documents in a clear and concise manner and articulate variousneeds clearly to the target audience

 

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 50,377 (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 1633 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. 

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