Technical Officer (Surveillance)

Manila

Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
Location: Manila
Grade: Junior level - P-2, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Security and Safety
- WP/WHE WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE)
Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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

WHE brings together and enhances WHO's operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. WHE is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.

The Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) programme area of the WHE isresponsible for identifying new public health events, assessing risks to public health, conductingepidemiological surveillance and field investigations, monitoring public health interventions, andcommunicating public health information to technical partners.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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

1. Contribute to all aspects of early detection of acute public health events including, but not limited to, event-based surveillance; verification and risk assessment; monitoring; and information-sharing on events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern; develop and contribute to presentations, briefing documents and other materials; situation analyses; and support multidisciplinary risk assessments as appropriate;

2. As delegated, participate in activities such as, but not limited to:

(a.) supporting the further development and maintenance of the WHO Event Management System and Event Information System and other event-based surveillance systems;

(b.) monitoring and evaluating performance and results of epidemic intelligence activities; and

(c.) elaborating of information-sharing products.

3. Assist fellows of the Regional Office Field Epidemiology Fellowship Programme to maintain the system of epidemiological data, and consolidate and analyse the collected data for early detection of and appropriate action;

4. Participate in emergency epidemiological field missions, as required;

5. Participate in the IHR duty officer roster and act as the IHR duty officer as required;

6. Provide technical support in member state implementation of the IHR (2005) and core capacities underusing APSED III as an action framework to build strengthen and advance national and subnational capacity.

7. Upon request, provide technical support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency activities at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency;

8. Perform other related duties, as requested by the supervisor, including provision of support to other areas of work and teams or programme areas within the WHE, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in epidemiology, public health, international health, or related field from a recognized university.
Desirable: An advanced university degree in epidemiology, public health, international health or related field.

Experience

Essential: Minimum two years of relevant work experience in epidemiology, surveillance, or control of acute public health events at the national and/or international levels.
Desirable: Relevant experience in health security, acute emergencies, surveillance and disease control. Experience of working with event-based surveillance and risk assessment. Knowledge of WHO processess of verification, alert and response operations.

Skills

-Experience in surveillance, field epidemiology and emerging diseases.

-Ability to interact in multidisciplinary and cross-cutting environment involving technical, cultural and political elements.

-Sound analytical and organizational skills.

-Willingness to be deployed at short notice in support of international emergency health interventions.

-Excellent presentation and communication skills, with emphasis on writing skills.

-Proven ability to work and produce results under pressure in critical situations.

-Tact, diplomacy and courtesy.

-Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.

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 48,805 (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 1960 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.

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.

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.