Disease Control Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the Disease Prevention and Control programme is to contribute to the integrated prevention and control of diseases, particularly those posing serious public health problems in the country and hence considered as priority by the national authorities and WHO. The programme aims at improving and building capacities to implement evidence-based prevention, control and care interventions, including health systems strengthening. In addition, the programme aims at collaborating with the Government and relevant stakeholders within the framework of Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) in significantly reducing the burden of malaria and other vector-borne diseases. The programme contributes to the prevention, control,elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases by providing strategic leadership, engaging in partnerships and shaping the research agenda towards strengthening the capacity of the national programme to reduce the disease burden.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative,and in close coordination with the technical team in the regional office, the incumbent performs the following:POLICY & STRATEGYSupports the Ministry of Health in the development of Disease Control strategic plans and detailed work plan. Supports the Ministry of Health in the adaptation and implementation of regional Disease Control & Elimination policies and Guidelines;Supports MoH the disease burden estimation,impact and progress measurement of Disease control strategies. The incumbent collaborates with all concerned government departments, cross-cutting programmes, bilateral and voluntary agencies to facilitate promotion of Disease control policies and exchange of information;PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION,MONITORING & EVALUATIONProvides technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in policy development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programme on integrated disease control with emphasis on those posing serious public health problems and priority disease eradicationprogrammes;Provides technical and programmatic support to the National Disease Control Programme and in planning, implementing, review, monitoring and evaluation of malaria control and elimination programme activities asoutlined in the country's plan of action;Provides technical support to District Health System in implementing programme activities including early diagnosis, prompt and effective treatment based on laboratory confirmation locating treatment facilities and referring patients to those facilities, prevention through promotion, and increased awareness of communities about malaria and other vector borne disease prevention and control;Supports MoH to Strengthen Surveillance Monitoring and Evaluation, through supervision and data quality audit/assessment at Health facility and community levels, and use of data for action;Ensure universal access to priority intervention for Disease Prevention diagnosis and treatment;PARTNERSHIP & RESOURCEMOBILIZATIONContributes to the resource mobilization functions of WCO using existing mechanisms at country level;Mobilizes resources for the Disease Control Programme of the MoH by supporting the development of Global Fund proposal and proposals to other donors /partners;CAPACITY BUILDING Organizes training of health personnel in the epidemiology of communicable diseases and NCDs, provides technical support for the development of training material and guidelines for disease prevention andcontrol at district and local level;Plans and organizes programs for capacity building on Disease Control components (case management, surveillance and M&E, vector control, communications) and other related areas targeting health professionals including community health workers; EVIDENCE, RESEARCH andKNOWLEDGEPromotes operational research on disease prevention and control and assists national officials in the development and implementation of these projects;Updates local information to inform vector control and identify challenges to its effectiveness such as insecticide resistance and residual parasite transmission;Advocates for evidence based high impact interventions to be adopted or adapted in the national policies, strategies, programs and plans of disease prevention and control; Supports research and knowledge transfer activities of DPC by linking local research institutes and universities with global/regional WHO offices and WHO collaborating centers; Supports local research institutes and universities to conduct implementation and operations research;PROGRAMS/CLUSTER COORDINATION Serves as the Coordinator of the Disease Prevention and Control Cluster in WCO. Coordinates planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation ensuring coherence of approach in order to improve efficiency in the delivery of disease control programmes. Provides technical and programmatic guidance to technical units under the DPC cluster Provides leadership to the programs under the DPC cluster specifically in planning and reportingareas;Promotes a multidisciplinary approach, encourages cross-cluster cooperation and participates in building and enhancing partnership with the donor community, NGOs and other institutions; Supervises and monitors the performance of team members under the DPC cluster in WCOPerforms any other related duties as assigned bythe WR.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree in public health or epidemiology with degree in Medicine from an accredited University.
Desirable: Training in Communicable diseases,prevention and control. Training in project management.

Experience

Essential: At least seven (7) years of progressive international and national experience in planning, management and implementation of communicable disease prevention and control interventions and other Neglected Tropical diseases-related activities
Desirable: Working experience with the WHO/ UN or experience with other international organizations. A minimum of 3 years of working experience in large public health projects. Experience of work in the field with community health workers. Experience in coordination of different programs at supervisory level.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of strategies for disease prevention and control; Strong managerial, leadership and negotiation skills, ability to coordinate teamwork, establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment; Knowledge of communicable and non-communicable Disease control and public health Proven skills in disease prevention, control end elimination

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: of French.

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 2810 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates