Technical Officer, Surveillance and Risk Assessment at World Health Organization

Description Of Duties
The incumbent will coordinate the VPDs risk assessment and outbreak preparedness and support to the immunization programmes in sub-region through the following:

• Support development, update and dissemination of VPD risk assessment WHO guidance, norm and standards, tools and Standard Operating procedures on VPDs outbreak preparedness;
• Proactively Support the update/review of Countries VPD outbreak risk assessment plans and guidelines;
• Contribute and support the capacity building of countries teams on VPD risk assessment and Outbreak preparedness;
• Support countries in the preparation, implementation and evaluation of VPDs outbreaks risk assessment and preparedness plans by conducting desk reviews, drills, simulations exercises;
• Support the documentation and dissemination of best practices to share documents on performance;
• Support the accelerated disease control/ elimination team members in the process of validation of elimination/ eradication at country and regional levels.
• Collaborate with other programmes to promote and support the adoption of innovations, particularly in the optimization and digitalization surveillance system and risk assessment and outbreak preparedness;
• Developing/collaborating on the development and maintenance of up-to-date sub regional and national databases for VPD surveillance risk assessment and outbreak response as part of the development on new/improved tools and strategies;
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

Required Qualifications
Education

• Essential: Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health or health policy, health emergencies or related field.
• Desirable: Specialization in social science, infection diseases, anthropology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, technical expertise in disease control and immunization.

Experience
Essential:

• A minimum of seven (7) 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.
• Experience in overseeing implementation, review and updating existing surveillance and laboratory guidelines and recommending new initiatives and innovative approaches

Desirable

• 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
• International experience in disease surveillance and outbreak response. Experience in implementation of national immunization and surveillance programme would be an asset.
• A track record of research, with publications in peer reviewed journals.

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. Proven ability to think independently and strategically, plan, coordinate and implement 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: Expert knowledge of English or French.
• Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN official languages.

Other Skills

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