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 Preparednessis 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

Under the guidance of the Unit Head, EZD, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

--> Assist indeveloping appropriate tools and indictors for monitoring implementation oftechnical guidance, programmes on surveillance and response for emerging andre-emerging infectious diseases.

--> Collect and review available researchdata from emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases; including COVID-19, tosupport development of technical guidance, information products, and investigation tools.

--> Maintain and adapt databases of available epidemiological data/research findings on public health aspects related to COVID-19 and conduct reviews on specific technical topics, as requested.

--> Update materials and organize training courses for front line workers, health careworkers, public health professionals on field investigation, surveillance andresponse to outbreaks, etc.

--> Organize technical missions for fieldinvestigation of outbreaks as required.

--> Participate in the development ofrapid field assessment, risk assessment and investigation protocols forspecific priority diseases, as required.

--> Participate in the elaborationof guidelines for epidemic control for COVID-19.

--> Disseminate technical documents, guidelines and protocols on prevention and control of emerging andre-emerging infectious diseases to the national health authorities.

--> Build and maintain effective partnerships with relevant bodies, agencies and sectorsin order to facilitate implementation of public health policies and programmesfor emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

--> Perform all otherrelated duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• A first level university degree in epidemiology, medicine and/or public health; specialization in epidemiology.

Desirable:

• An advanced university degree in one of the above mentioned areas.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years of experience working in epidemiology, conducting monitoring and evaluation of diseases and public health issues.

• Demonstrated experience at the international level.

Desirable:

• Relevant international experience in the areas of outbreak investigation and response for emerging and re-emerging diseases.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, and the use of monitoring and evaluation of descriptive epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and response.

Ability to write reports on outbreaks and interpret epidemiological surveillance data.

Experience with emergingand/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.

Demonstrable skills in the use of epidemiological and statistical software.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Knowing and managing yourself

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 62,120 (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 4442 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• 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.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.