Technical Officer

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

Description Of Duties

Under the supervision of Team Lead of Epidemiological Surveillance and guidance of the Head of Global Influenza Programme (GIP), the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:- Provide influenza epidemiological surveillance and risk assessment expertise and support the integrated surveillance of influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses including the next novel virus X of pandemic potential via the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). -Serve as point of contact on epidemiological situation monitoring and assess risk of seasonal and zoonotic influenza in collaboration with teams in the Global Influenza Programme, and other teams inside WHO HQ, Regional Offices and Country Offices, as well as external agencies including FAO and OIE.Coordinate the development of regular and ad-hoc risk assessment and reports including bi-weekly seasonal influenza updates and monthly zoonotic influenza update. Adapt these reports along the development of integrated surveillance of influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses via GISRS.-Coordinate the development of practical guidance for influenza and integrated surveillance of GISRS including alternative and complementary methods to sentinel surveillance.-Provide expertise and support to the development, update and application of severity assessment framework for influenza and potentially for other respiratory viruses along the expanding of GISRS (GISRS Plus).- Welcome opportunities to support multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting approaches to work and is required to facilitate participation in such approaches. -Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.

Required Qualifications

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree (Master and above) in public health, medical science or veterinary health, or related fields.

Experience

Desirable:

Essential: At least 7 years of experience in seasonal and zoonotic influenza surveillance, including 5 years at international level. Experience in pandemic risk assessment of zoonotic influenza. Experience working in developing influenza surveillance tools and integrated surveillance of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 of GISRS. Experience in coordinating a wide range of stakeholders and working groups in pursuance of global goals and policy initiatives.

Desirable: Experience in developing the WHO pandemic influenza severity assessment tool.

Skills

Extensive knowledge of zoonotic influenza epidemiology and risk assessment. Extensive knowledge of the functioning of the WHO global influenza surveillance. Demonstrated skills using R and ArcGIS or other similar analytical IT tools. Excellent writing skills.

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 UN languages.

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 75,602 (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 4498 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.
• 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.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• 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.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

Grade

P4

Contractual Arrangement

Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)

6 months

Job Posting

Jul 12, 2022, 8:30:46 PM

Closing Date

Aug 1, 2022, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

Switzerland-Geneva

Organization

HQ/EPP Epidemic & Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention EPP

Schedule

Full-time

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