Job Description

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinator international action, to prevent, prepare for,detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergenciesDESCRIPTION OF DUTIES Advise on the development, implementation and evaluation of the national strategies and work-plans pertaining to the prevention and control of high threat diseases of pandemic & epidemic potential or infectious risks and the implementation of evidence-based strategies to manage infectious hazards, interventions in high-risks groups and recommend measures for special attention, ensuring compliance with organization-wide IHM strategies.In close collaboration with the risk assessment, health information management and other teams in HQ and the respective Regional Office, monitor the early prevention, detection, verification, assessment, and investigation of any risks of outbreaks and the dissemination of data related to the occurrence of outbreaks. In collaboration with preparedness and readiness teams, undertake the following for infectious risks of epidemic and pandemic potential: timely readiness assessments guided by the epidemics calendar,develop and test (through simulations) hazard specific contingency plans and pandemic preparedness plans and standard operating procedures. Adapt IHM global policies, concepts, tools, and strategies and managetheir implementation at the country level, for the prevention and, where feasible, elimination of diseases/epidemic risks. Work with partners, to improve approaches and methods of controlling epidemics in different epidemiological situations.Conduct the periodic reporting of infectious hazards activities, support the information systems and the monitoring facilitating integration with the national health information systems, as required. Contribute to the surveillance and risk analysis of infectious diseases;participate in the rapid response teams responsible for the rapid investigation of alerts, field risk assessments and early detection and response. Ensure that risk communication messages are technically sound and socio-culturally appropriate to induce, engage and empower stakeholders in the prevention, mitigation and control of infectious hazards.Make recommendations and give guidance on relevant courses of actions to be taken in affected as well as non-affected areas in order to prevent and/or control cause of excess morbidity and mortality.Support research, innovative tools, products, and interventions available for high threat infectious hazards in collaboration with teams atcountry, regional, and headquarters level.Ensure that proven, evidence-based effective strategies for priority pandemic/ epidemic prone diseases are implemented at scale. In close collaboration with other technical teams, provide technical assistance on vaccination, enhanced collaborative surveillance, emergency coordination, scalable clinical care, infection control (including personal protection), community protection including community engagement and risk communication, enhanced sanitation and hygiene, increased provision of water and/or nutrients, prepositioning of drugs and medical supplies, vector control, and increasing access to other countermeasures. Request the activation of technical experts networks at global or regional level to characterize the pathogen and the disease in case of unknown infection. Represent the Country Office at official meetings as needed. Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSEducation Essential: Advanced university degree(Master's level or above) in medicine, public health, or health related field from an accredited/recognized institute
Desirable: Specialized training inepidemiology. Specialized training ininfectious diseases.Experience Essential: At least five (5) years of international and/or national professional experience in planning, developing and implementing thecontrol and prevention of infectious diseases programme including outbreakprevention and control, infectious hazard management and/or dangerous pathogens.Relevant experience with the inter-agency mechanisms used to coordinate international preparedness for and response to health emergencies
Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countriesSkills Demonstrated knowledge of infectious diseases, particularly in those areas critical for promoting a public health perspective and approach, such as infectious disease epidemiology, prevention or control, clinical management, and significant practical application of this knowledge in an international context. Proven ability to coordinate and manage projects, build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies. Sound tactical thinking with ability to formulate clear comprehensive strategies and plans. Demonstrated organizational skills with ability to multi-task and consistently produce results even underpressureWHO Competencies Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Creating an empowering and motivating environmentUse of Language Skills Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Beginners knowledge of French. Beginners knowledge of UN Official language. Beginners knowledge of local languages.REMUNERATION Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at ZAR 1,027,253 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.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:

. 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.

• 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 (

) 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

• 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

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.

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• 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

.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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World Health Organization