Epidemiologist, Infectious Diseases Control at World Health Organization

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Programme 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. Within EPR, the Emergency Preparedness Unit, specifically the Infectious Hazard preparedness team supports countries and coordinates international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. In order to contributeto the reduction of communicable and non-communicable disease morbidity and mortality in the WHO African region, the Infectious Hazard Preparedness team (IHP), within the Emergency Preparedness pillar (EMP) supports Member States in scaling up the implementation and monitoring of the integrated surveillance and response strategy and International Health Regulations, developing and maintaining the capacity to detect, confirm, and respond to epidemic and pandemic prone diseases as well as other public health emergencies, including influenza.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

• Within the Emergency Preparedness Unit, specifically the Infectious Hazard Preparedness team the purpose of this post is to contribute to the strengthening of the regional capacity to detect and monitor influenza epidemics/pandemics. She/he will support Member States to coordinate implementation of the PIP framework Partnership Contribution Plan for the African region and other initiatives to build resilient capacities in countries for respiratory pathogens.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the technical guidance of the Technical Officer (Infectious Hazard Preparedness/Avian Influenza) and the overall supervision of the Emergency Preparedness Programme Manager and the Regional Emergencies Director, the incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Coordinate implementation of the activities under Outputs 1, 2 and 6 of the PIP High Level Implementation Plan II (HLIP II) of regional and country PIP PC workplans;
• Provide technical guidance and support to countries on respiratory disease surveillance, such as influenza, SARS CoV-2, RSV, including training activities, where appropriate:
• Support the updating of country Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan and provide guidance to countries in updating and monitoring their pandemic influenza preparedness and response plan;
• Strengthen the regional capacity for detection of respiratory disease outbreaks, including those due to a novel virus using epidemiological surveillance methodologies;
• Coordinate the development of best practices on influenza epidemiological surveillance and response in the African Region and ensure all relevant materials pertaining to influenza preparedness and response (reports, plans, SOPs and other information products) are available for Member States:
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor (s).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: University degree in medicine or related field such as epidemiology or infectious diseases.
• Desirable: Master’s level qualifications in public health or training/experience in infectious disease control, epidemiology or emergency/disaster Management.

Experience

Essential:

•  At least 5 years of experience in surveillance, preparedness and response of infectious diseases and the implementation of public health projects, building capacities at international level.
• Experience in the management of complex projects with partners.

Desirable:

• Experience working in WHO or the UN system.
• Experience working in in Low and Middle Income settings (LMI).

Skills

• Ability to work with national Ministries of health on planning, implementing and monitoring of surveillance programmes;
• Good knowledge and technical expertise in Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response and with an emphasis on influenza and other respiratory pathogens;
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills. Excellent organizational and analytical skills, complemented by good interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Effective writing skills and ability to draft, evaluate and edit technical reports and publications.