Programme Officer (Communicable Diseases)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objectives are to support Thailand in achieving the Sustainable development Goals related to Health (Goal 3) and inequality (Goal 10); specifically to achieve target 3.3 and 10.7, within the Universal Health Coverage Framework, to ensure financial risk protection and equity in provision of health care to vulnerable and underserved groups.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of Programme Manager Health Emergencies and AMR, and overall supervision of WR Thailand, the incumbent will work closely with the Ministry of Public Health Thailand, its relevant departments and partners to:

• Provide assistance in all aspects including achieving the time bound targets of the national strategic plans for malaria, HIV, STI, Hepatitis, TB and NTDs, in the following:

Malaria

• • In collaboration with the national malaria elimination program, the Global Fund (GFATM) Principal Recipient, other donors and technical agencies and implementers, analyze programme and service delivery data relating to the key aspects of the National Malaria Elimination Strategy (2017-2026) and Operational Plan (2021-2025); which includes sustainability planning, capacity development and service planning, costing, gap analysis and budgeting etc.
  • Monitoring implementation as well as preparations for certification which involves technical support for the prevention of re-introduction/re-establishment, sub-national validation, support for strengthening the national reference lab (NRL) for malaria and support with the global E-2025 initiative
  • Multi-sectoral engagement with public and private sectors as well as civil society through the National Malaria Elimination (ME) Steering Committee and technical working groups.

TB

• • Provide technical guidance and advice to the National TB program in the review, update and strengthening of national strategies for TB prevention and control and TB operational plans, norms, standards and tools, and in monitoring and reporting against national, regional and global indicators, towards the elimination of TB as a public health problem in Thailand, in the context of SDG and UHC, and in line with the WHO's End TB Strategy, and the commitments of the UNHLM on TB, WHO SEAR ‘Call for Action to End TB by 2030' and Regional strategic plan towards ending TB in the WHO South-East Asia Region: 2021-2025.

HIV and STI

• • Support Thailand through the joint UN plan on AIDS (UNJPA) providing evidence informed recommendations with focus on young key populations and vulnerable populations established for intensifying integrated comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (HIV, STI and teenage pregnancy) programmes. EMTCT for congenital syphilis and HIV.

Viral Hepatitis

• • With technical direction from WHO HQ and RO, support the Hepatitis cluster of DAS in preparation for Hepatitis elimination and for triple elimination - EMTCT of HIV, Syphilis (maintenance) and Hep B.

NTD

• • Support the Division of vector borne disease (DVBD) in implementation of NTD programs: LF activities primarily post elimination surveys - in planning, procurement of diagnostics, and QA.
  • Supporting Leishmaniasis and Typhus surveillance - including surveys and commodities.
  • Supporting the Leprosy programme in DHIS2 upgrades, community and provider comms application and procurement of drugs.

Integrated approaches

• • Support Thailand to provide high quality, people-centered health services, based on PHC strategies and strengthened health systems to deliver comprehensive essential service packages for malaria, HIV, STI, Hepatitis, TB and NTDs programmes.
  • Facilitate collaboration and coordination with other public health programs and strategies, in order to synergistically address co-infections and comorbidities such as (TB/HIV, TB/diabetes, TB/mental health, TB/other NCDs) and more broadly vulnerability and its social determinants, and implement social protection measures through supporting implementation of initiatives and innovative approaches in TB, HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STI, Mental Health, Health Systems Strengthening, Social Determinants of Health and other concerned Units and partners, to achieve a comprehensive multi disease approach;

• Support technical oversight of GFATM malaria grants in Thailand, assist the functions of the CCM as member of CCM Oversight Committee (OC). Represent WHO on the Thailand CCM and CCM OC meetings on TB, HIV and malaria and provide timely strategic information to WR and other team members.
• Support finalization of Global TB Report, SEARO TB Report, Universal Access Report, Annual ARV Survey, Global STI survey, SEARO Annual HIV Report, annual global HIV/AIDS - GAM reports, Annual Global Leprosy, Global Hepatitis reporting, Annual Global NTD reporting and others as required.
• Coordinate and support resource mobilization activities aimed at obtaining funding necessary for the implementation of planned activities;
• The incumbent may also be requested when appropriate to perform other duties as assigned and necessary.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree/first degree in a relevant field. Post graduate degree in public health or in epidemiology.
Desirable: Medical degree with specialized training in one of the following areas: epidemiology, tropical medicine, communicable diseases management, health information systems.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of programme management experience including considerable experience obtained in an international context in planning, coordination and management of public health programmes with focus on control of communicable diseases.
Desirable: Experience working with WHO, international NGOs or UN agencies

Skills

• Extensive background in control of communicable diseases particularly malaria, HIV, TB, STI, Hepatitis and NTD, epidemiology and programme implementation and reporting.
• Excellent skills and abilities in understanding concepts and principles of communicable disease elimination.
• Good skills in advocacy, analysis and negotiation/mediation.
• Sound knowledge and abilities in interagency / partnership coordination as well as in health planning programme formulation and in assisting countries in negotiating with development partners.
• Ability to plan and carry out programme oriented operational research to address specific issues with innovative solutions.
• Skills and abilities in advocacy, analysis and negotiation / mediation.
• Knowledge and abilities in inter-agency coordination as well as health planning formulation and in assisting countries in negotiating with donors.
• Management skills and field experience in working through partnerships.

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: Intermediate knowledge of Thai.

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, and currently amounts to USD 2694 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.
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• 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.
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