Infectious Diseases Officer

In the context of the WHO CO Ukraine Health Programmes team and WHE team, the incumbent will provide technical support to the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Ukraine, healthcare and public health institutions at national and regional levels, and other partners in risk assessment, strengthening case management and response activities, monitoring implementation care and needs for management of affected populations from COVID-19 and other emergency infectious diseases in military conflict settings, throughout the full cycle of the emergency situation and humanitarian crises in Ukraine as well as contribute to the recovery.

• The WHO Country Office (CO) in Ukraine is a large office with core staff, health system-related cluster and project-related teams. At the same time, the CO is part of the Regional Office (RO) and related to other COs in the region. The latter means active communication with colleagues in all the other COs. Within the division of Country Health Programmes (CHP), and under the general guidance of the Public Health Officer in the CO, the incumbent is the responsible officer for clinical management, surveillance of and response to emergency infectious diseases. The incumbent will also work closely with the Emergency team-related pillars, and other with other technical officers per areas as necessary (e.g. WASH, surveillance, One Health, laboratory, VPI).
• The role of the incumbent is that of a technical specialist. He/she is part of the CO team and closely relates to relevant technical units in the Regional Office and Headquarters. The incumbent also plays the role of facilitator to engage colleagues on key deliverables (including other divisions according to needs) and with national government and UN counterparts to ensure that activities related to emergency infectious diseases reflect the latest WHO guidance and are implemented in cohesion with key health programming, monitoring and financing activities. The incumbent will advocate (when possible) for the incorporation of a health and risk-based approach in identification needs in regard to biological hazards issues and clinical case management of infectious diseases, and to managing and delivering supplies to respond to emerging infectious diseases.
• The work is guided by World Health Assembly and Regional Committee resolutions, the European Programme of Work (EPW), GPW 13, and SDG 3 (on health and well-being). Furthermore, the areas of work are guided by the Biannual Collaborative Agreement, the objectives of the ongoing projects the incumbent is involved in addressing emerging needs, the Ukraine Crisis Strategic Response Plan, Ukraine health system recovery and transformation principles, as well as the WHO Manual, technical documents related to medical product policy and regulation, the Programme Budget provide basic WHO documents.
• Some independence in decision-making is expected and the incumbent must exercise judgement in providing policy interpretations on water and sanitation guidelines and regulations, coordination among health actors and humanitarian response partners, and wider health and economic sector developments. The incumbent takes a proactive role in seeking guidance from colleagues, searching and analysing evidence, and applying WHO guidelines and tools.
• A wide range of contacts within the organization is expected – the purpose is to receive policy guidance and support on technical, information-related and administrative as well as managerial issues related to the implementation of activities within the assigned tasks. Additional contacts both within RO (including other country offices, geographically dispersed offices) and Headquarters to seek technical support for planning collaborative activities as well as to support project implementation in the country, are foreseen. Under the supervision and guidance of the health programme Lead and Technical Officer on Public Health Services, regular contact are maintained with the Ministry of Health, the public health institute and centers for disease control, healthcare managers and providers, and relevant institutions and stakeholders to provide and obtain necessary information, coordinate adoption and implementation of risk-based approaches and tools, and report back to donors on project progress. Upon request, the incumbent has contacts with counterparts in the country to represent WHO.

Description Of Duties

In the context of the WHO CO Ukraine Health Programmes team and WHE team in liaison with the emergency response teams, the incumbent will provide technical support to the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Ukraine, healthcare and public health institutions at national and regional levels, and other partners in risk assessment, strengthening case management and response activities, monitoring implementation care and needs for management of affected populations from COVID-19 and other emergency infectious diseases in military conflict settings, throughout the full cycle of the emergency situation and humanitarian crises in Ukraine, as well as contribute to a recovery phase.

Key Duties

• Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Public Health Centre, WHO CO Units on service delivery and public health in identification of risks and needs in regard to biological hazards issues and clinical case management of infectious diseases.
• Provide technical support the MOH and Public Health Centre through the updating and adapting relevant guidelines, materials and tools, development of the national clinical protocols and other legislative documents related to the management of infectious diseases surveillance and clinical management of cases to ensure alignment with WHO technical norms and standards.
• Support the Health Programmes and WHE teams with issues related to COVID-19 and other emergency infectious diseases case management, by setting up or adapting case management tools, interventions and approaches in coordination with the Health Programmes, WHE and IMT pillar leads on service delivery and public health.
• Contribute to the activities related to mapping and risk assessment of biological threats by facilitating the capacity building interventions to national and regional public health institutions and healthcare providers.
• Strengthen emergency infectious disease outbreak preparedness and management capabilities through adapting and delivering of training for public health institutions on strengthening surveillance over emergency infectious diseases, and for the healthcare workers, hospital management and auxiliaries about COVID-19 and other emergency infectious diseases case management.
• Contribute to the interventions on WASH-related and IPC related projects, including projects on piloting wastewater surveillance programmes related to pathogens of public health concern (e.g. poliomyelitis, Hepatitis A, SARS-CoV-2).
• Coordinate clinical management related projects and provide an overview of the progress, document clinical features and case management of the patients with COVID-19 and other emergency infectious diseases, identify gaps and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain liaison with the logistics team and health authorities in the specification and quantity estimations supplies, medications and PPE etc. to ensure alignment with the procurement and distribution plans.
• Prepare the missions for WHO staff and external consultants addressing prevention and response to emergency infectious diseases, and follow up on their recommendations.
• Prepare regular reports and updates to the Country Office and donors, as needed.
• Explore opportunities for fund raising and contribute to proposal development to ensure adequate resources are available to conduct the planned activities related to emergency infectious diseases prevention and response.
• Assist in executing other tasks as requested by the Health Programmes, the Public Health Officer and within the emerging needs of IMT.
• Provide support to cross-office and inter-country activities as requested.

Required Qualifications

Education Qualifications

Essential : University degree in Medicine.

Desirable : Master’s degree or postgraduate training in the fields of epidemiology, microbiology, public health, infection prevention and control, critical care, hospital management.

Experience

Essential : At least three years of national work experience in the field of infectious diseases prevention and response policies and practices, including clinical management, development, advocacy, planning, implementation of case management and clinical care activities/infectious diseases in outbreak.

Desirable : Relevant work experience with(in) international institutions or organizations in the area of policy advice for infectious diseases clinical management /or health systems strengthening / health care services delivery. Relevant experience with(in) WHO or the United Nations.

Skills

WHO Competencies

• 1) Teamwork
• 2) Producing Results
• 3) Communication
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Functional Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrated general knowledge of medicine, risk assessment strategies, infectious diseases surveillance and clinical management of infectious diseases, and more broadly biological threats prevention and response concepts and principles.

Ability to work within significant uncertainties in a rapidly changing environment.

Demonstrated coordination and collaboration skills working with diverse national and international stakeholders.

Strong communication skills, orally and written.

Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Ukrainian.

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 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 E-Manual.
• 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 workforce. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int
• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not 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.
• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.

Grade

NO-B

Contractual Arrangement

Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)

12 months

Job Posting

Dec 6, 2023, 10:32:49 AM

Closing Date

Dec 20, 2023, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

Ukraine-Kyiv

Organization

EU_UKR WHO Country Office, Ukraine

Schedule

Full-time

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