Medical Officer

Medical Officer (Control of Epidemic Diseases) – (2303701)

Grade: P4
Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 6 months
Job Posting: Apr 24, 2023, 8:32:36 AM
Closing Date: May 15, 2023, 3:59:00 PM
Primary Location: Switzerland-Geneva
Organization: HQ/HEI Health Emergency Interventions
Schedule: Full-time

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies 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. The Health Emergency Interventions Department (HEI) is responsible for ensuring that emergency-affected populations have access to timely and effective health services, ranging from humanitarian interventions, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in fragile, vulnerable and conflict settings (FCVs) to key high impact epidemic diseases including Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs), Yellow Fever, Meningitis and Cholera. To respond to the increased risk of large urban yellow fever outbreaks with international spread that could threaten global health security, the comprehensive, a multi component Global Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy was developed by EYE partners. To ensure and guide successful implementation, 3 strategic objectives were defined together with milestones to be attained throughout a 10-year timeline (2017-2026).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the supervision of and technical guidance of the supervisors, the incumbent will perform the following duties to address the resurgence of yellow fever outbreaks and protect the highest risk populations:

•  Provide expertise,technical support and capacity building to regions and countries in yellow fever epidemic risk mitigation through the provision of technically sound advice to facilitate the successful protection of the highest risk populations and closing of the immunity gaps associated with outbreak resurgence.
•  Represent the Yellow Fever Technical Team in the EYE Vaccine Delivery Working Group to support Regions and Member States accelerating yellow fever protection in the high risk/high needs EYE No Regret countries and EYE Impact Settings in Africa, with emphasis on the pockets of under-protected populations.
• Lead the development of, advocate for, and support the implementation of tailored strategies and associated framework to protect against yellow fever the most vulnerable, migrant populations, hard-to-reach and security-compromised communities with provision of bundled services to control epidemic risk.
•  Enhance engagement of the yellow fever team with civil society organizations (CSOs) to accelerate the control of yellow fever outbreak in highest risk settings toward sustainable risk elimination.
•  Enhance linkages and synergies with existing and developing programmes for greater efficiency to control yellow fever epidemic risks in challenged settings and communities.
•  Lead the documentation of best practices to reach and protect the most vulnerable, migrant populations, hard-to-reach and security-compromised communities and children and to provide bundled services.
•  Lead the development of technical documents and frameworks linked to the above-mentioned duties. This includes leading the ensuring the technical accuracy of the products developed by the EYE Secretariat and contributing to reporting on prevention and risk mitigation-related activities to donors.Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: An advanced level university degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology or related field.
Desirable: Specialization in Epidemic Disease and/or Public Health and/or Tropical diseases.

Experience
Essential: At least 7 years of experience working at national/international level in prevention and control of epidemic disease and in developing policies/strategies that promote health and preventive measures, investigation,surveillance, preparedness and control of various diseases.
Desirable: Experience in Yellow Fever and/or vector-borne prevention and control activities. Experience working on theme of vulnerable and/or migrant populations. Field experience in Africa, Latin America, or the Caribbean. Experience with WHO, UN agencies, EYE partner agencies or a health cluster member organization.

Skills

•  Sound knowledge of country level situations with regard to Control of Epidemic Disease, with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies,practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.
•  Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
•  Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
•  Excellent knowledge of Health care systems and safety regulations.
•  Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty.
•  Public speaking techniques.
•  Excellent drafting and communication skills.
•  Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
•  Team spirit and time management skills.

WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Knowing and managing yourself
Producing results

Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 77,326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 5413 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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.
• 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.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs 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.
  The 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 for WHO jobs.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• 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 (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). 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 substantiated 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.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• 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.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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