Technical Officer

Technical Officer (AMR) – (2304378)

Grade: P5
Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 12 months
Job Posting: Jun 9, 2023, 5:30:53 AM
Closing Date: Jun 29, 2023, 3:59:00 PM
Primary Location: Switzerland-Geneva
Organization: HQ/SPC Surveillance, Prevention and Control
Schedule: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The Department of AMR Surveillance, Prevention and Control leads the efforts to implement National Action Plans (NAPs) on AMR as the backbone to achieving the five objectives of the Global Action Plan on AMR. The Department also reinforces strategic country-level capacity to mitigate the emergence and spread of AMR in health facilities and communities, coordinates global surveillance and consumption monitoring efforts across the human-animal interface to support the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance, and monitors and reports on national and global progress towards achievement of the GAP, the triple billion targets of WHO’s 13th Global Programme of Work and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Surveillance, Evidence and Laboratory Strengthening (SEL) Unit monitors antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antimicrobial consumption (AMC) and antimicrobial use (AMU) through the Global Antimicrobial resistance & use Surveillance System (GLASS) and promotes AMR and AMC/AMU surveillance globally; develops tools to assist the implementation of AMR and AMC/AMU surveillance in countries; produces global reports on AMR and AMC; reports on the AMR SDG indicators; develops and maintains an IT platform for data gathering and regular reporting; supports laboratory strengthening activities for AMR surveillance, including the application of new technologies; supports One Health integrated surveillance efforts; provides early warning and risk assessment of emerging AMR; and assesses the AMR burden on human health. As such, the SEL Unit works closely with the Control and Response Strategies (CRS) Unit, which focuses on laboratory strengthening, evidence generation, and related policy and guideline development.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Generic duties Provide technical leadership within the SEL Unit in the SPC Department with focus on the design, implementation and evaluation of surveillance activities
• Provide technical and policy advice to the Member States to strengthen capacity at all levels of the health system to mitigate the emergence, spread, and public health consequences of antimicrobial resistance
• Ensure effective collaboration with other parts of WHO headquarters and strengthen and maintain strong collaboration with Regional and Country Offices related to the areas of work of the SEL Unit.
• Manage the monitoring, evaluation,and reporting of the subject area of work in compliance with key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimise the performance of programme deliverables
• Serve as a technical reference among the peer community, UN agencies, WHO collaborating centers, and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise and utilise these partnerships to ensure optimal uptake of / and compliance with WHO norms and standards.
• Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for AMR and WHO surveillance strategies
• Contribute to resource mobilization, timely donor reporting and efficient management of financial resources.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned

Specific Duties:

• Contribute to strengthening and innovation of AMR surveillance approaches, including the analysis and use of collected data for policy development at national, regional and global level
• Guide and support the piloting and roll out of new surveillance initiatives, such as the National AMR prevalence survey
• Build and maintain effective coordination and collaboration with AMR focal points in regional offices, AMR priority countries, and other teams within WHO, including but not limited to Medicines (MHP), WASH, IPC, universal health coverage(UHC), primary healthcare (PHC), WHE and communicable disease programmes.
• Contribute to the effective management of the SPC/SEL Collaborating Center network and the coordination and monitoring of related scientific activities
• Advocate, coordinate, and build partnerships with bilateral and multilateral financing institutions, national governments, civil society, and the private sector to mobilise resources and ensure ownership of and support for AMR strategies as developed and implemented by WHO and partners

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential:

• Advanced degree in Medicine, Clinical Microbiology or Epidemiology

Desirable:

• Advanced degree in Infectious Diseases

Experience
Essential:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive professional experience in public health, antimicrobial resistance, and communicable diseases
• Demonstrated experience in surveillance of infectious diseases at the (inter)national level.
• Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources.

Desirable:

• Experience in assisting the development of infectious disease surveillance in low and middle-income countries (as per World Bank classification).
• Experience working with UN organizations.
• Demonstrated experience at the international level in developing and managing initiatives within a diverse stakeholder environment, including governments, civil society, and the private sector.
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives such as guideline development and/or educational products

Skills

• Sound technical knowledge and political understanding of the global response against antimicrobial resistance and the role of WHO in this context
• Expert knowledge of infectious diseases in general and AMR in particular, covering both clinical and public health aspects, including infectious disease epidemiology
• Demonstrated experience in infectious disease surveillance and advanced data analysis
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing evidence-based policies and strategies.
• Track record of managing technical projects and respective financial resources.
• Demonstrated skills in mobi1ising resources.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners, including ministries of health, donor institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of the broader public health reality at the country level.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Driving the Organization’s Position in Health Leadership
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

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 92,731 (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 6522 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.
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  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.
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• 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.
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