OMS recruits 01 Technical Officer, Vector Control
Technical Officer, Vector Control (VCO) – (1900462)
Grade: P4
Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
Contract duration: Two (2) years
:
Job Posting : Feb 5, 2019, 4:18:37 PM
Closing Date : Feb 26, 2019, 11:59:00 PM
Primary Location : Congo-Brazzaville
Organization : AF/CDS – Communicable Diseases
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
To reduce the burden and negative impact of communicable diseases on health and on the social and economic well-being of all people in the WHO/AFRO Region. To reduce morbidity, mortality and disability through the prevention, control, eradication and/or elimination of selected communicable diseases.To contribute to the reduction of environmental risk factors of ill health and the environmental burden of disease, through regular assessments of the environmental risk factors to human health and the deployment of cost effective preventive interventions.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities which are performed according to the needs and agenda:To provide technical support to countries for the development and implementation of strategies and protocols for vector and anthropod-borne disease prevention and control, with first-line responsibility for guidelines and standard procedures for control, surveillance, diagnosis and treatment at the regional, sub-regional and national levels, and where applicable, in close cooperation with the regional and national public health laboratory networks.To develop and update norms and standards related to vector and anthropod-borne disease prevention and control, providing expertise and developing/revising guidelines; proactively facilitate the implementation of norms and standards to facilitate M&E; the development and implementation of operational policies to expand strategies for vector-borne control.To encourage close collaboration in the systematic collection, collation, monitoring and evaluation of data and information on vector and anthropod-borne disease prevention and control strategies and interventions, from projects and programmes implemented by governments and concerned stakeholders; to critically analyze data and assess performance against agreed targets, produce evidence-based results to respond to outbreaks; propose innovative actions to develop and update interventions and strategies; and promote research to improve vector and anthropod-borne disease prevention and control activities.To be actively engaged with harmonizing data collection mechanisms to strengthen channels of communication among policymakers, vector-borne disease control programme managers and other partners to facilitate the preparation and submission of annual global progress reports and collaboration on the development and maintenance of up-to-date regional and national databases on vector and anthropod-borne disease prevention and control as part of the development on new/improved tools and strategies.To proactively advise and contribute to disease surveillance, including insecticide resistance, reviewing recorded data, monitoring, evaluation and situation analysis to produce statistical summaries and regular reports highlighting vector and anthropod-borne disease risks and required responses and management such as applied field research projects and/or adaptation of health policies.To actively support the development and dissemination of appropriate information packages and guidelines to engage, educate and empower communities in sustainable behavioural change programmes.To fully participate in the identification of regional and national capacity gaps to improve existing vector and anthropod-borne surveillance and control capacity and introduce new practices and/or ideas among partners and key stakeholders; supporting planning and management of workshops, seminars and training to strengthen Member State and partner skill-sets.To support the development of strategic partnerships, including drafting proposals, to increase to increase advocacy and resource mobilization to sustain PHE activities and interventions contributing to vector and anthropod-borne disease prevention and control.To collaborate with and share information with relevant stakeholders at regional and national level, through joint meetings, video conferencing, informal consultations and inter-country meetings, as required.To perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: Advanced university degree in biological sciences or other related area and a postgraduate degree or training in medical entomology, vector control, public health, epidemiology, tropical diseases or a related field.
Desirable: Post-graduate training or specialization in environmental health, bio-statistics, or Community Health.
Experience
Essential: At least seven years’ practical experience working in vector-borne disease control, development and implementation of public health services and project management of which at least three years were at the international level.Proven experience in coordinating complex technical consultation processes and in analysing and integrating diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources;Prior experience in preventing and controlling vector and other arthropod-borne diseases;Experience in project monitoring, surveillance, field epidemiology, capacity-building and operational research at regional and national level.
Desirable: Experience with the UN System or WHO, ideally collaborating on vector and anthropod-borne disease prevention and control programmes, and knowledge of national, regional and global partnerships and networks.
Skills
Demonstrated expertise on medical entomology; Demonstrated knowledge of general principles of public health and approaches to integrated vector management for the control of tropical diseases; Demonstrated expertise in surveillance and supporting the planning, development and implementation of norms and standards related to vector-borne disease prevention and control; Good understanding of database management; Proven track record in supporting the development of effective mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation to facilitate the reporting of results, progress, lessons learnt and best practices and the promotion of cross-cutting activities; Sound understanding of global and regional issues on PHE and their impact on health, social and economic development; Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners; Proven ability to advocate for and mobilize resources; Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to promote consensus and resolve issues in a proactive manner; Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English and/or French with a good working knowledge of the other.
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 71,332 (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 3287 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.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• 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.