Infectious Hazard Management Full-Time

Objectives of programme

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Program is to assist countries and coordinate international action, to prevent, to prepare for, to detect, to respond quickly to outbreaks and emergencies.

Description of duties

• Under the supervision of the WHO Representative (WR) and the direct supervision the WHE lead in Mozambique, the incumbent will have overall responsibility of supporting manage infectious hazard management (IHM) activities at the country level, support the prevention and control of diseases with a high threat of pandemic and epidemic potential through coordination of prediction, outbreak investigation, characterization of infectious diseases and/or risks, and implementation of evidence-based strategies to manage outbreaks and risks.He/she works with MOH, other sectors and partners. He/she facilities the adaptation of the guidelines to meet specific requirements for any potential disease outbreak prevention and control activities.

More specifically, the incumbent will:

• Advise on the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national strategies and plans for the prevention and control of diseases with a high risk of pandemic and epidemic potential and ensuring compliance with WHO guideline and standards;
• Monitor and support early detection, verification evaluation and investigation of outbreaks, risks and providing prevention, and control efforts;
• Adapt infections risk management policies, concepts, tools and global strategies and manage their implementation at the country level for the prevention and control of epidemic prone diseases;
• Work with partners, improve epidemic control approaches and methods in different epidemiological situations;
• Develop periodic reports on infectious risk activities, support information systems and facilitate integration with national health information systems, as appropriate;
• Contribute to surveillance and risk analysis related to infectious diseases; Participate in the activities of rapid response teams responsible for rapid investigation of alerts, risk assessments in the field and detection and early response;
• Ensure risk communication messages are technically correct and sociocultural appropriate to engage and empower stakeholders in the prevention, mitigation and control of infectious risks;
• Formulate recommendations and provide guidance on relevant courses of action in affected and unaffected areas to prevent and/or control the cause of excess morbidity and mortality;
• Provide technical assistance on immunization, enhanced surveillance, infection prevention and control (including personal protection, improved sanitation and hygiene, increased provision of water and/or nutrients, pre-positioning medicines and medical supplies, vector control, etc. in close collaboration with other technical teams;
• Provide analysis of public health risks, needs and capacities and advise on priority interventions for WHO and partners including on challenges and operational course corrections as applicable or as required;
• Document lessons learnt in the field;
• Promote multidisciplinary and cross-cutting approaches and activities to facilitate full participation within, outside of WHO and with key partners;
• Perform other activities assigned by the Representative of WHO.

Required qualification

Education

• Essential: First University degree in Medicine,Nursing, Environmental Health or other health related fields;
• Desirable: Specialized training in infectious diseases or masters in Field Epidemiology or MPH.

Experience

• Essential: 2years of relevant experience of national professional experience in the planning, development and implementation of the infectious disease control and prevention program, including epidemic prevention and control, infectious risk management and/or dangerous pathogens;
• Relevant experience with interagency mechanisms used to coordinate preparedness and response to health emergencies;
• Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO and/or other UN agencies, non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of infectious diseases, particularly in areas critical to promoting a public health perspective and approach, such as the epidemiology of infectious diseases, prevention or control, clinical management and important practices;
• Proven ability to coordinate and manage projects, build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies;
• Good tactical thinking with the ability to formulate clear and comprehensive strategies and plans;
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multitask and produce results under pressure.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork;
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
  Communication;
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond;
• Ensuring the effective use of resources.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Intermediate knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Porteguese.
Desirable:

Remuneration

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 38,258 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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;
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int;
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity;
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco;
• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.