Senior Epidemiologist, VHF %26 arboviruses (Medical Officer)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Team Leader of viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) provides an operational framework for the containment of epidemic diseases that represent an international public health concern. Within the IHM, the incumbent provides technical leadership in coordinating the response, detection and control of outbreaks of VHFs. S/he manages the VHF team in providing support to national and regional control activities, ensuring their readiness to detect and respond to VHF outbreaks, as well as providing direct support to disease containment activities during epidemics. The incumbent will be deployed to emergency operations when required.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities\:

1. Lead and coordinate the team covering the area of work of viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF)  with emphasis on Ebola.

2. Within IHM, coordinate with senior technical staff in the other work areas and lead the development of  a strategic programme to prevent, respond to and control VHFs.

3. Provide guidance in the technical component of field responses to these pathogens. Define and support operational research for improving epidemic disease control for VHFs.

4. Provide technical expert advice on field responses as technical expert, implement programmes and protocols to improve the existing surveillance and control activities for VHFs at the national, regional and international level.

5. Ensure the update of WHO surveillance and investigation manual for VHFs. In collaboration with WHO Regional Offices, develop a training programme for the detection and management of VHFs in known and potential zones of emergence.    

6. Establish an interdisciplinary working partnership with agencies, scientists, NGOs and relevant governmental departments in countries in the zones of emergence of VHFs, and work with these colleagues for enhanced preparedness and response to VHFs outbreaks. Encourage new approaches to ecological studies to better understand VHFs in order to develop new control strategy and methodology.

7. Plan, manage and monitor the activities of the team so that activities reflect the administrative and budgetary standards, guidelines, priorities and directions, coordinate the work of the team and its interaction with other teams so that the work is technically excellent, effectively and efficiently conducted, and completed to a high standard.

8. Provide leadership and guidance to staff and ensure appropriate performance management and empower and motivate staff to use and support multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting approaches to work where beneficial for accomplishing goals.

 9. Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university degree in life science (MD, DVM or PhD) with training in infectious diseases epidemiology and public health. Postgraduate training in medical virology and applied epidemiology.

Desirable\: Training in zoology. Training in biosafety and biosecurity.

Experience

Essential\: At least 10 years of experience in infectious diseases, epidemiology and public health, specializing in viral Haemorrhagic fevers of which 5 years at international level. Experience with laboratory and field aspects of virology studies. Considerable experience with participation in, and coordination of international outbreak response. In-depth experience designing and performing ecological studies of emerging diseases. Experience with disease surveillance programmes in both human and animal health.

Desirable\: Knowledge of WHO procedures in Alert and Response. Familiarity with WHO and/or the UN system. Management experience supervising technical/scientific staff. Knowledge in organizing wild animal captures and in handling and sampling wild and domestic animals.

Skills

Excellent knowledge in applied epidemiology and public health and of medical and veterinary virology. Knowledge of management of VHFs and dangerous infections, especially Filoviruses. Theoretical and practical experience in designing and performing in-depth ecological studies on emerging diseases. Management and motivational skills. Ability to plan, lead and evaluate interventions for epidemic control. Excellent knowledge of epidemiological and laboratory public health surveillance. Demonstrated effectiveness in building sustained partnerships and working with others in international settings.

WHO Competencies

1. Ensuring the effective use of resources

2. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

3. Moving forward in a changing environment

4. Producing results

5. Setting an example

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English or French.

Desirable\: A working Knowledge of one of the above as an additional second language or portuguese.

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 83,721 (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 2428.66 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 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.