Technical Officer, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective.

The mission of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

The Infectious Hazard Management Unit of the Health Emergencies Programme is responsible for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority high-threat infectious hazards. This includes developing and supporting prevention and control strategies, tools and capacities for high-threat infectious hazards, establishing and maintaining experts networks to detect, understand and manage new or emerging high threat infectious hazards as well as research and documentation on best practices for infection prevention and control measures.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In order to develop and support the implementation of strategies and tools for infection, prevention and control for high-threat infections, the Technical Officer will carry out the following activities\:

•Work in coordination with the outbreak response team to ensure IPC priorities and activities are managed effectively within the overall outbreak response, and in particular in coordination with the clinical/case management teams.

•Assess IPC capacities and practices epidemic treatment centers, in hospitals and health care facilities in the areas affected by the outbreak and at risk. Identify needs for further assessment based on this assessment.

•Review the IPC measures implemented in the affected areas and advise on prevention of healthcare-associated infections in healthcare settings within the affected health zones.

•Review training needs, and based on this assessment, conduct training in IPC for staff working in epidemic treatment centers and health facilities based on the review of IPC measures.

•Report to the outbreak response team on findings, and activities, and advise on effective and feasible IPC activities in areas affected by the outbreaks.

•Provide guidance on immediate IPC policies, resources, equipment and training needed in order to ensure adequate preparations for response if the outbreak spreads to other health facilities.

•Support risk communication teams for the implementation of IPC measures in the households and communities.

•Outline the elements of a National Infection and Control Strategy in regard to measures pertaining to enhancement of Standard Precautions mainly for VHF, and identify activities that can be rapidly implemented.

•Support the Ministry of Health in documenting the outbreak and response activities.

•Perform any other duty assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree in medical science or related field with training in infectious diseases.

Desirable\:Advanced university degree in Public Health.

Experience

Essential\: At least seven years related experience in implementation of infection prevention and control, clinical management, or public health surveillance and outbreak investigation and response.

Desirable\: Experience working in an international organization. Experience working in developing countries. Experience on infection prevention and control in the hospital care setting, or during the outbreaks.

Skills proficiency and knowledge in project management and operational planning in a multi-partner international context. Sound technical knowledge in Infection Prevention and Control, in the context of reducing contamination and improving the health of populations and/or health security. Experience and ability to design, evaluate and monitor multi-partners work plans. Good writing skills and ability to draft, evaluate and edit technical reports and publications. Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and consultative skills.

WHO Competencies

1.Communication

2.Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

3.Promoting WHO’s position in health leadership

4.Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

5.Teamwork

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Excellent knowledge of English or French .

Desirable\: A working knowledge of one of the above as a second WHO/UN language. Knowledge of portuguese would be an asset.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

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.