Technical Officer, Outbreak Preparedness and Response at World Health Organization

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

• The incumbent will be the focal person for VPD outbreak preparedness and Response within the Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme at the WHO Regional office for Africa, which supports the achievement of universal immunization coverage in the African Region, accelerated disease control and integrated disease surveillance, as part of broader efforts to strengthen primary health care and achieve universal health coverage, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the incumbent has first line responsibility for all aspects of vaccine preventable disease surveillance preparedness and response, guided by the Global Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA 2030), the Regional Strategic plans, the Addis Ababa Deceleration on Immunization targets contributing to provide transformational leadership in the implementation of the UCN/VPD programme. These will be achieved in a context of strengthened and resilient health systems, contributing to attaining UHC and other health related SDG targets through proactive contribution to supporting governing bodies, technical working groups and advisory bodies, coordination with member states and partners.

Description Of Duties
The incumbent will support and facilitate the VPDs outbreaks responses and support to the immunization programmes through the following:

• Support the development, update and dissemination of WHO guidance, norm and standards, tools and Standard Operating procedures on VPDs outbreak preparedness;
• Proactively support the development of outbreak-readiness tools and response plans for countries at national and sub national levels for the update/review of countries in collaboration with vaccine focal persons within regional, IST and WCO;
• Contribute and support the capacity building of countries teams in VPD surveillance including risk assessment, Outbreak preparedness and response;
• Support countries in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of VPDs outbreak response by proactively supporting monitoring of readiness, intra-actions reviews and after action reviews;
• Support the documentation and dissemination of best practices;
• Liaise with and support the team members in accelerated disease control/ elimination, in the process of validation of elimination/ eradication of VPDs at country and regional levels;
• Collaborate with other programmes to promote and support the adoption of innovations, particularly in the optimization and digitalization of surveillance systems, and risk assessment and outbreak preparedness;
• Develop and/or collaborate on the development and maintenance of up-to-date regional, sub-regional and national databases for VPD outbreaks’ readiness and response as part of the development of new/improved tools and strategies;
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required

Required Qualifications
Educational (Qualifications)
Essential

• Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, health policy, infectious diseases, communicable diseases or related field.

Desirable

• Post-graduate training in public health, vaccinology or another related filed.
• Specialization in social science, infection diseases, anthropology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, technical expertise in disease control and immunization.

Experience
Essential

• A minimum of Seven (07) years’ experience in developing, designing, and implementing public health programmes, especially managing disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and response as well as setting up sentinel surveillance. Planning, implementation and/or M&E of immunization surveillance programmes.

Desirable

• International experience in disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• Experience in implementation of national immunization and surveillance programme.
• A track record of research, with publications in peer reviewed journals.
• Experience in overseeing implementation, review and updating existing surveillance and laboratory guidelines and recommending new initiatives and innovative approaches.
• Experience in capacity building, producing surveillance tools and databases for monitoring and evaluation purposes, experience in surveillance of new vaccines, monitoring of impact of new vaccines.
• Experience in working with variety of partners/stakeholders

Skills

• Within the context of the immunization agenda 2030 and the Regional strategic plans, the incumbent is expected to have demonstrated knowledge of surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases and global health security.
• Track record in thinking independently and strategically, planning, coordinating and implementing disease surveillance activities, including norms and standards for surveillance of priority diseases and related capacity building; coordination of the data management activities.
• Proven understanding of VPD surveillance as related to preventable diseases including case-based surveillance, Integrated Disease surveillance (IDSR) and International Health Regulations (IHR) as well as how to achieve universal Health coverage (UHC).
• Proven track record in the development and implementation of surveillance norms and standards and effective disease reporting mechanisms and systems, and M&E.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-limited contexts; and to participate in resource mobilization and advocacy activities. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics, diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Creating a motivating and empowering environment
• Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Excellent knowledge of English or French.
• Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN official languages

Other Skills (e.g., IT)

• Proven ability to use standard office software packages, Conversant with common IT software including eHealth tools.