Technical Officer, Outbreak Preparedness and Response

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Qualifications

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce the disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda in Africa, and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control. This approach is underpinned by the guiding principles of comprehensive whole of society, people-centered, integrated approaches to disease control. The comprehensive whole of society approaches to disease control involve: (a) coherent implementation of triple response – technical response: implementing disease-specific normative guidance, promoting intervention mixes and deploying medical commodities; health systems response: building capacities of district, service-delivery systems in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and sector/subsector planning; and multi-sectoral response: addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of diseases through mobilizing non-health sectors, communities and stakeholders; (b) disease control partnership of public and private sectors, health and non-health sectors; and (c) community involvement in targeted high risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards.
The people centered, integrated approaches to disease control involve: (a) integrated guidance on disease control for each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone disease specific guidance; and (b) integrated and efficient disease control investments in strengthening the capacity of appropriate health services delivery platforms, through deployment of appropriate technologies and analytics, to guide stratification of disease risks across population groups, to develop and deploy comprehensive  packages of interventions appropriate to each targeted population group and health service delivery platform, as well as monitor population access, coverage and impact to leave no one behind.
The specific objectives of the UCN cluster to which the VPD programme contributes, are to: (i) provide leadership on disease control coordination, partnership and resource mobilization; (ii) contribute to the development of WHO disease-control technical products, services and tools including adoption of new technologies and innovations; (iii) support generation and use of strategic information for action and decision making including optimizing investment; and (iv) provide or facilitate provision of technical support in deployment of WHO technical products and services and institutional capacity building, including support to national disease programmes and regulatory authorities.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The incumbent will be the focal person for VPD outbreak preparedness and Response within the Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme at the WHO Regional office for Africa, which supports the achievement of universal immunization coverage in the African Region, accelerated disease control and integrated disease surveillance, as part of broader efforts to strengthen primary health care and achieve universal health coverage, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Specifically, the incumbent has first line responsibility for all aspects of vaccine preventable disease surveillance preparedness and response, guided by the Global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA 2030), the Regional Strategic plans, the Addis Ababa Deceleration on Immunization targets contributing to provide transformational leadership in the implementation of the UCN/VPD programme. These will be achieved in a context of strengthened and resilient health systems, contributing to attaining UHC and other health related SDG targets through proactive contribution to supporting governing bodies, technical working groups and advisory bodies, coordination with member states and partners.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will support and facilitate the VPDs outbreaks responses and support to the immunization programmes through the following:

• Support the development, update and dissemination of WHO guidance, norm and standards, tools and Standard Operating procedures on VPDs outbreak preparedness;
• Proactively support the development of outbreak-readiness tools and response plans for countries at national and sub national levels for the update/review of countries in collaboration with vaccine focal persons within regional, IST and WCO;
• Contribute and support the capacity building of countries teams in VPD surveillance including risk assessment, Outbreak preparedness and response;
• Support countries in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of VPDs outbreak response by proactively supporting monitoring of readiness, intra-actions reviews and after action reviews;
• Support the documentation and dissemination of best practices;
• Liaise with and support the team members in accelerated disease control/ elimination, in the process of validation of elimination/ eradication of VPDs at country and regional levels;
• Collaborate with other programmes to promote and support the adoption of innovations, particularly in the optimization and digitalization of surveillance systems, and risk assessment and outbreak preparedness;
• Develop and/or collaborate on the development and maintenance of up-to-date regional, sub-regional and national databases for VPD outbreaks’ readiness and response as part of the development of new/improved tools and strategies;
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Educational (Qualifications)

Essential

Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, health policy, infectious diseases, communicable diseases or related field.

Desirable

Post-graduate training in public health, vaccinology or another related filed.

Specialization in social science, infection diseases, anthropology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, technical expertise in disease control and immunization.

Experience

Essential

A minimum of Seven (07) years’ experience in developing, designing, and implementing public health programmes, especially managing disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and response as well as setting up sentinel surveillance. Planning, implementation and/or M&E of immunization surveillance programmes.

Desirable

• International experience in disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• Experience in implementation of national immunization and surveillance programme.
• A track record of research, with publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Experience in overseeing implementation, review and updating existing surveillance and laboratory guidelines and recommending new initiatives and innovative approaches.
• Experience in capacity building, producing surveillance tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation purposes, experience in surveillance of new vaccines, monitoring of impact of new vaccines.
• Experience in working with variety of partners/stakeholders

Skills

• Within the context of the immunization agenda 2030 and the Regional strategic plans, the incumbent is expected to have demonstrated knowledge of surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases and global health security.
• Track record in thinking independently and strategically, planning, coordinating and implementing disease surveillance activities, including norms and standards for surveillance of priority diseases and related capacity building; coordination of the data management activities.
• Proven understanding of VPD surveillance as related to preventable diseases including case-based surveillance, Integrated Disease surveillance (IDSR) and International Health Regulations (IHR) as well as how to achieve universal Health coverage (UHC).
• Proven track record in the development and implementation of surveillance norms and standards and effective disease reporting mechanisms and systems, and M&E.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-limited contexts; and to participate in resource mobilization and advocacy activities. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus,
  communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics, diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Creating a motivating and empowering environment
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Excellent knowledge of English or French.
• Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN official languages

Other Skills (e.g., IT)

Proven ability to use standard office software packages, Conversant with common IT software including eHealth tools.

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 77,326 (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. 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 may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event 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 E-Manual.
• 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 workforce . 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• Mobility is a fundamental aspect of international professional employment with the World Health Organization (WHO) and a basic principle of the international civil service.

  Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

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