OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

WHO’s outbreak preparedness and response aims to help Member States sustainably develop their capacity and a robust system for detection, analysis, reporting and rapid response in the face of epidemics and other public health events with a serious potential impact. They also aim to strengthen the capacities of Member States to identify major risks and take the necessary measures to mitigate and reduce potential impacts during emergency situations.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the WHO Representative, and with the close collaboration of all technical staff of the Country Office (HSE sectoral responsibility group), the Regional Office, Headquarters, the post holder is entrusted with the responsibilities below: ‘Provide expertise and technical guidance in the area of outbreak preparedness and response, including the provision of expertise and informed advice for the collection, validation, analysis and popularization of data, the design and application of the early warning and rapid response system, and coordination of activities related. • Establish and maintain close collaboration with a varied range of personnel from the Ministry of Health, health care establishments,state health offices, and partners to promote and facilitate effective cooperation in the implementation of related policies and procedures, ‘Produce detailed strategies and guidelines to ensure useful and quality interventions in the area of outbreak preparedness and response, including for the Integrated Disease System and Response (IMRS), rapid monitoring and assessments where appropriate during emergency situations;• Provide support for strengthening the country’s capacities with a view to acquiring the essential capacities of the IHR. Monitor developments, identify key deficiencies and support review and re-planning to meet critical capability requirements. • IFensure that health needs during humanitarian emergencies are identified through joint and inter-group planning and coordination of sectoral responsibility, rapid initial assessments adapted to the local context of the IDER hazard identification tool and risks, as well as a resumption for more in-depth assessments of the health sub-sector, where applicable.• Mobilize the partners of the Health sector responsibility group so that they contribute to the establishment and maintenance of an adequate early warning and rapid response system, and regularly prepare a report on health care services offered to affected populations and on the situation in their field of work.• Make sure thatclose collaboration and ongoing contact are established with the Ministry of Health and state health offices to ensure timely communication for events presenting potential health risks, including epidemic outbreaks. Monitor trends and report on potential emergencies to ensure a coordinated and timely response. • Monitor WHO’s internal capacities for the implementation of the WHO Emergency Response Framework (ERF), in collaboration with other units within WHO. Participate in the development of strategies and the implementation of interventions to strengthen the capacities of the WHO Representative for the implementation of the WHO Emergency Response Framework (ERF).• Support the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Regional Office and Headquarters, for the consolidation of cross-border collaboration, capacity building and information sharing. • Support the Health Sector Accountability Group to identify stakeholders in the Health sector and establish contacts between them and existing mechanisms for health coordination, including national health authorities, national and international organizations and the civil society.• Secure information from a diverse range of health sectors, analyzing and recommending actions and guidelines for developing medium- and long-term work plans and strategies,including by consolidating Health data into trends and trend assessment, particular attention is placed on surveillance, monitoring and early warning; ‘Carry out and promote the effective coordination of surveillance and evaluation of activities, jointly with the Regional Offices and Headquarters as well as local, regional and national health entities and other international partners in the field of health, including UN agencies and NGOs; ‘Perform any other task which may, where applicable, be assigned to him by the Country Representative.evaluation of activities, jointly with Regional Offices and Headquarters as well as local, regional and national health entities and other international partners in the field of health, including United Nations agencies and NGOs; ‘Perform any other task which may, where applicable, be assigned to him by the Country Representative.evaluation of activities, jointly with Regional Offices and Headquarters as well as local, regional and national health entities and other international partners in the field of health, including United Nations agencies and NGOs; ‘Perform any other task which may, where applicable, be assigned to him by the Country Representative.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Doctor’s degree, in a discipline related to health and/or postgraduate diploma in epidemiology and public health, mathematics or statistics, with a specialization in public health and advanced studies in computer science.
Desirable: Additional training in disaster management, essential statistical software packages and information management systems.

Experience

Essential: 5 years of professional experience, particularly in the field of disease surveillance, and outbreak preparedness and response. Experience working in Guinea Bissau over the last three years, demonstrating solid knowledge of the principles and operating mechanisms of the Health sector responsibility group
Desirable: Good knowledge of WHO’s monitoring system, program management and end-to-end institutional processes, as designed in the Global Management System; Experience in project management, ideally in the United Nations system and/or in a public health context; Good knowledge of the global management system or similar integrated management software packages; Experience in training staff in the area of health surveillance and information management systems.

Skills

Proven knowledge in the field of surveillance and surveillance systems related to outbreak preparedness and response, complemented by skills in the field of epidemiological or statistical data collection, estimation, analysis and evaluation and monitoring in the context of public health. Extensive knowledge of activities and strategies for the eradication of polio, reduction of measles mortality and elimination of neonatal tetanus as well as systematic and additional vaccination activities. Skills for conceptualizing and promoting innovative policies and strategies. Ability to communicate and write clearly and concisely, to develop effective guidelines.Excellent negotiation skills and perfect interpersonal skills, complemented by an ability to motivate and lead others as well as promote consensus. Ability for research and innovations to fill key gaps.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of Portuguese.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration included an annual base salary starting at XOF 24,617,000 (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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidacy 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 Manual.

• 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.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employees 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 [email protected] 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 (ie, discrimination, abuse of authority and abuse). 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 substantial 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.

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

• 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 [email protected].

• 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.

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