National Professional Officer

Position number: 398859

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) programme is responsible for providing technical and strategic support to the Ministry of Health in Lebanon for (1) building health system capacity for detection, verification and containment of infectious disease outbreaks or any other public health events of international concern including avian and pandemic influenza as well as other emerging public health threats; (2) strengthening epidemiological and laboratory surveillance for epidemic and pandemic prone communicable diseases; (3) improving public health preparedness for any emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases with epidemic and pandemic potentials;Overall, the programme works closely with the IHM/EMRO to ensure availability of technical support and strategic guidance for detection, verification, risk assessment, communication and adequate real-time response to public health emergencies in Lebanon that might constitute a potential public health concern in the country.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:As Focal Point for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness:1. Monitor proper implementation of the biennial workplan for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Partnership Contribution Funds with special focus on integration of ILI/ COVID surveillance; Establish/strengthen sentinel sites for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) surveillance2. Collaborate with the Ministry of Public Health in assessing the feasibility and needs for influenza sample collection, shipment and transfer of samples for laboratory testing to a reference influenza laboratory in the Region3. Prepare standard procedures for data collection, analysis and reporting4. Collaborate with the National Influenza Center to improve their capacity to collect, analyze, and report routine influenza surveillance data according to regional surveillance standards, through training and technical advice 5. Establish influenza surveillance and laboratory networks to support evidence-based public health risk assessment and response strategies. 6. Measure and assess disease burden related to influenza and other acute respiratory diseases using routinely collected surveillance data or from any other appropriate sources of information in order to better understand influenza epidemiology.7. Prepare for and organize trainings and webinars for surveillance teams on communicable diseases.8. Collect and analyze data information and interpretation; on Communicable Diseases.9. Contribute actively to the development of micro-plans for vaccination campaigns, monitor vaccination tracing indicators, update SOPs for vaccine management; review training materials, review IEC material, attend the RCCE meetings related to Vaccines.10. Participate in the development of project proposals and mobilization of sustainable resources for the effective operations of the related projects/programmes.11. Organize technical meetings/workshops with national health counterparts for strengthening infection prevention and control programme in health care settings for acute respiratory diseases of epidemic and pandemic potentials.12. Act as focal point for COVID-19 epidemiology, and collaborate actively with the MOPH to standardize data generation in line with global data requirement; update periodically testing strategy; update reporting mechanisms; produce the daily infographics for the Daily brief on CoVid19; support the modeling of the epidemic; attend webinars; actively participate in the CoVax meetings (vaccine management plan) and in training on COVID-19 vaccine administration and management plan.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in Medicine, Public Health or Nursing
Desirable: Master's degree in Public Health

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of relevant experience, at the national level, in communicable disease control programs especially in epidemiology and surveillance of communicable diseases
Desirable: Relevant experience in the UN system or an international organization

Skills

Theoretical and practical knowledge of public health, communicable disease control, , analyzing data, concise reporting, and surveillance of communicable diseasesProven skills for the development, implementation and analysis of surveillance projects and activities, including budget programming and controlAbility to write reports, oral presentations and technical and advocacy documents

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:

https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Local language.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at LBP 102,079,000 (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 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

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

• 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.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:
  (I) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated;
  (ii) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided;
  (iii) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.
  Kindly note that CVs/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are not accessible.