Epidemiologist (Country and Regional Engagement)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The 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 Intelligence and Surveillance Systems Division (WSE) is responsible to build a system of collaborative intelligence enabling better decisions to avert and manage public health threats and risks. Its goal is to enable, strengthen and support countries, regional and global actors in averting and managing public health threats and risks through collaborative problem solving and decision-making for short-term action and long-term policies, informed by better data and analytics. The WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence is a new office of WHO, located in Berlin, and part of the WSE division. It works with partners to enable the generation of public health relevant information to provide timely actionable insights in response to health emergencies; and improve decision making in response to prepare for, avert and respond to public health threats. It also aims to reduce fragmentation and inefficiency by creating an ecosystem that promotes collaboration across multiple professional disciplines, sectors, and initiatives; and empower decision makers, public health professionals, and civil society to make informed public health decisions.The Collaborative Intelligence Department (COL) is responsible for establishing and coordinating internal and external networks and partnerships that facilitate the work of the Pandemic Hub and the broader WHE Programme around Collaborative Surveillance.

Description Of Duties

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to the needs of the unit and department:

• Provide technical specialist support to the development of project proposals to support Member States and WHO regional offices.
• Support the development and implementation strategies and planning processes for the establishment, growth, success and sustainability of large global initiatives, with a particular focus on Collaborative Surveillance and HEPR.
• Provide key support to the technical and administrative aspects of priorities in Collaborative Surveillance and National Public Health Agencies (NPHAs) including monitoring and evaluation, budgeting, workplan development, resource mobilization and allocation of projects and initiatives.
• Provide epidemiological advice and guidance to WHO, Member States, global and regional partners, and other stakeholders in implementation of Collaborative Surveillance and strengthening the capacity of NPHAs to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies with a particular focus on the technical aspects.
• Contribute to the development of surveillance guidelines, protocols, tools and standard operating procedures (SoPs) for detection, verification and response to public health events of national and international concern.
• Foster collaboration with internal partners, particularly WHO Regional Offices and external public health partners, including Member States, regional networks and international organisations, to support NPHAs to deliver core emergency preparedness public health functions.
• Liaise with external funders and implementers to increase alignment and effectiveness of Collaborative Surveillance investments; support WHO Regional Offices, regional partners and/or countries to develop funding requests and implementation plans for Collaborative Surveillance.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior leadership and other stakeholders on strategy and implementation, highlighting progress and achievements as well as identifying challenges / risks and areas / options for improvement.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in domains with relevance to the work of the Hub and Department.
• Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for the objectives, projects and initiatives of the Department and Hub.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, including replacing and back stopping for others as required.

Required Qualifications

Education

Essential: Advanced level (Masters or higher) university degree in epidemiology, quantitative methods and/or medicine, complemented by courses in epidemiology (in case the advanced degree wasn’t in epidemiology already), public health, international health or a related discipline.

Desirable: PhD in public health, epidemiology or a related discipline.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years’ experience with a successful track record in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events, of which at least four years have been related to public health intelligence activities at the national and/or international levels. Demonstrated experience working with National Public Health Agencies to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies at the national and/or regional level. Demonstrated experience in the context of large scale epidemics or public health crises at the national and/or international levels. Experience contributing to the technical enhancement of surveillance and/or other public health tools, solutions, strategies and processes. Experience developing partnerships and collaborations for project implementation and public health capacity development. Experience with inter-agency collaboration or in WHO, UN, UN Agencies or other international organisations.

Desirable: Demonstrated experience working in a senior position within a National Public Health Agencies in a position to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies at the national and/or regional level.

Skills

• Demonstrated and applied expertise in public health surveillance and intelligence, field epidemiology and emerging diseases in an international context.
• Proven track record of working with diverse, results-oriented teams.
• Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programs.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong understanding of geopolitical issues and the international context.
• Strong skills in developing strategies and making policy recommendations.
• Strong skills in building and maintaining partnerships.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively, diplomatically and tactfully with external partners including Ministries of Health, donor institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Producing results

Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of another WHO Language.

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 2893 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.
• 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.

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

[email protected]

• 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.
• 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].
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Grade

P4

Contractual Arrangement

Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)

2 years

Job Posting

Dec 6, 2023, 1:28:28 PM

Closing Date

Jan 15, 2024, 4:44:00 AM

Primary Location

Germany-Berlin

Organization

HQ/WSE Health Emergency Intelligence & Surveillance Systems

Schedule

Full-time

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