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 needs:

Acute public health events risk assessment:
– Develop/update norms and standards pertaining to risk assessment of outbreaks and other public health emergencies occurring in the WHO African region;
– Strengthen the capacity of countries in addressing all aspects of early detection of acute public health events, including but not limited to event-based surveillance; verification and risk assessment; monitoring; and information-sharing on events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern.
– Develop risk assessment outputs and reports to be shared with Member States, Partners and other Donors involved in supporting public health response to outbreaks and other public health emergencies

Documentation of response to outbreaks and other public health emergencies

– Coordinate the development of norms and standards related to systematic documentation of response to outbreaks and other public health emergencies
– Coordinate the development of outbreak interim/final reports which should be made available on the WHE website
– Coordinate the development of best practices and success stories pertaining to the management of health emergencies in the region
– Contribute to the development of relevant outbreak response bulletins published by the Health Information and Risk Assessment Programme Area of the WHE
– Develop scientific articles on selected outbreaks and other public health emergencies reported by Member States to the Regional Office

Capacity building on risk assessment and outbreak response documentation
– Strengthen the capacity of Member States and WHO staff in carrying out disease risk assessment, documenting response to outbreaks as well as best practices
– Liaise with Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme to strengthen the collaboration in the areas of risk assessment and outbreak response documentation

Health Emergencies profiles

– Develop a guidance document on the development of Health Emergencies Profiles
– Coordinate the development of Health emergencies profiles which include but not limited to disease profile, country and regional health emergencies profiles

Other responsibilities

Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Essential:
Medical degree with postgraduate degree in epidemiology, public health, international health or related discipline,

Or PhD in epidemiology, public health or related discipline.

Desirable: Experience in event-based surveillance, risk assessment of acute public health events and/humanitarian crises, documentation of response to outbreaks and other emergencies.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years’ experience with successful track record in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events; epidemic surveillance at the national and/or international levels plus demonstrated field experience in the context of large epidemics or public health crises at the national and international levels.

Desirable: In-service training in field epidemiology such as Field Epidemiology (and Laboratory) Training Programmes (FELTP), the European Program for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service programme, or equivalent experience.

In-service training in field epidemiology such as Field Epidemiology (and Laboratory) Training Programmes (FELTP), the European Program for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service programme, or equivalent experience.

Experience in WHO or UN, UN Agencies.
Skills

Demonstrated ability to interact in complex situations involving technical, cultural and political elements. Sound analytical and organizational skills. Demonstrated knowledge of surveillance issues and emerging diseases in international context. Willingness to deploy at short notice in support of international emergency health interventions. Excellent presentation and communication skills, with emphasis on writing skills. Proven ability to work and produce results under pressure in critical situations. Tact, diplomacy and courtesy.

Computer literacy with proficiency in data management and analysis with skills in designing and managing databases in software commonly used in field epidemiology (EpiInfo, EpiData, ODK, Microsoft Access, SPSS, STATA, SAS, R). Excellent presentation skills.

WHO Competencies

1. Moving forward in a changing environment
2. Fostering integration and teamwork
3. Promoting innovation and organizational learning
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge in English or French in addition to the above

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 70,647 (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. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.