Public Health Officer (Epidemiology)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHE 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. WHE brings together and enhances WHO's operational, technical and normative capacity 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. It 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Assist in developing appropriate tools and indictors for monitoring implementation of programmes on surveillance and response for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
• Contribute to the development of an early warning and response system for epidemic and pandemic-prone diseases.
• Collect and verify information on reported outbreaks or rumors from emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
• Maintain and adapt an event management system database of reported outbreaks and public health events and document all steps taken in the verification and response process.
• Undertake monitoring and evaluation of risk assessments based on incoming epidemic intelligence and verification of information and brief the responsible officials on a periodical basis on the evolving health situation.
• Conduct retrospective analysis of reported events: determine trends, distribution patterns, and efficiency of the verification mechanism.
• Prepare and disseminate disease outbreak news, updates and assessments to key decision makers in the organizational hierarchy.
• Organize training courses for health care workers on field investigation, surveillance and response to outbreaks. 
• Organize technical missions for field investigation of outbreaks as required.
• Participate in the development of rapid field assessment, risk assessment and investigation protocols for specific priority diseases in accordance with APSHAF and IHR (2005), as required.
• Participate in the elaboration of guidelines for epidemic control.
• Disseminate technical documents, guidelines and protocols on prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases to the national health authorities.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with relevant bodies, agencies and sectors in order to facilitate implementation of public health policies and programmes for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
   

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Bachelor's degree in epidemiology, medicine or public health with specialization in epidemiology.
Desirable: Advanced university degree (master's level or higher) related to epidemiology or post-graduate training in epidemiology (Field Epidemiology Training Programme).

Experience

Essential: At least five years' relevant work experience, with proven international exposure, in epidemiology including implementing programmes, policies, and guidelines as well as monitoring and evaluation of diseases and public health issues.
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.
• Good presentation and writing skills.
   

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 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 71,335 (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 2057 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

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

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

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

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

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

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

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