Epidemiologist

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Global Infectious Hazards Preparedness (GIH) advances global efforts to prevent and control existing and emerging infectious diseases by increasing access to evidence-based interventions; fostering impactful innovation; and leveraging technical, operational and strategic partnerships. In addition, GIH develops global mechanisms to facilitate coordination and collaboration between countries and multi-sectoral partners for catastrophic events of natural, accidental or deliberate origin. The department of Global Infectious Hazards Preparedness is committed to delivering GPW13 Outcome 2.2 Epidemics and pandemics prevented, through:

- Delivering risk assessment, technical guidance, interventions and control strategies for country impact

- Promoting innovation and adoption of new technologies

- Aligning and coordinating international action through trusted partnership

- Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to life-saving interventions and supplies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

-->Develop/revise/update appropriate public health policies and programmes for prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases of bothnational and international public health concern, particularly onCOVID-19.

--> Support the COVID-19 technical lead in the development andrevision of technical, clinical, virologic to support guidancedevelopment.

--> Conduct/coordinate research and coordinate/conduct rapid literature reviews of critical epidemiological aspects of COVID-19.

-->Provide authoritative advice to the member states on building core capacities for surveillance, alert and response as required in the International Health Regulations IHR.

--> Advocate for and offer technical expertise to the national health authorities to develop cross-border plans and programmes for strengthening epidemiological and laboratory surveillance system for prevention and control of disease with epidemic and pandemic potentials in accordance with IHR 2005.

--> Foster a comprehensive policy for providing technical support to the national health authorities to develop necessary guidelines, protocols, standards and SoPs for effective guidance implementation and outbreak response in the countries including for early detection and rapid response to public health events of national and international concern.

--> Lead and expand WHO's leadership in the field of outbreak investigation, early investigations and rapid public health response, with specific emphasis of work using a One Health approach at the animal human interface and studies needed when and where pathogens emerge/re-emerge.

--> Work with appropriate technical networks, institutions, universities and WHO Collaborating Centers for developing appropriate training courses on epidemiology and disease surveillance for the member states.

--> Encourage collaboration and coordinate efforts with international partners and donor agencies to mobilize resources and facilitate effective utilization of resources to augment disease prevention and control programme for emerging infectious diseases.

-->Promote WHO's position to successfully influence national health authorities for developing infection prevention and control programmes in healthcare facilities, particularly focusing on health facilities preparedness and response to epidemics and pandemics.

--> Preform all other related duties asassigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in epidemiology, medicine and/or public health; with specialization in epidemiology.

Desirable:

• PhD in infectious disease epidemiology or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of experience working and the national and international levels in epidemiology conducting monitoring and evaluation of diseases and public health issues.

Desirable:

• Experience in the areas of outbreak investigation and response for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge,competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response with particular attention to application of an all-hazard approach in the context ofthe IHR and the use of applied epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and epidemic response.

Experience with emerging and/or re-emerging pathogens of epidemic and pandemic potential.

Field experience with studies using a One Health Approach and coordination with animal and environmental sectors at local, national or international levels.

Familiarity with work incomplex emergency and humanitarian crisis situations.

Familiarity with the health problems in the Region.

Demonstrable skills in the use of epidemiological and statistical software.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge 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 89,837 (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 6423 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.

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