The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks, 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. WHE brings together and enhances WHO's operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. WHE is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities. The Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) programme area of the WHE is responsible for identifying new public health events, assessing risks to public health, conducting epidemiological surveillance and field investigations, monitoring public health interventions, and communicating public health information to technical partners.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:
Contribute to 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 and contribute to presentations, briefing documents and other materials; situation analyses; and support multidisciplinary risk assessments as appropriate.
As delegated, participate in activities such as, but not limited to:
supporting the further development and maintenance of the WHO Event Management System and Event Information System and other event-based surveillance systems.
monitoring and evaluating performance and results of epidemic intelligence activities; and
elaborating of information-sharing products.
Assist fellows of the Regional Office Field Epidemiology Fellowship Programme to maintain the system of epidemiological data and consolidate and analyze the collected data for early detection of and appropriate action.
Participate in emergency epidemiological field missions, as required.
Participate in the IHR duty officer roster and act as the IHR duty officer as required.
Provide technical support in member state implementation of the IHR (2005) and core capacities underusing APSED III as an action framework to build strengthen and advance national and subnational capacity.
Upon request, provide technical support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency activities at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency.
Perform other related duties, as requested by the supervisor, including provision of support to other areas of work and teams or programme areas within the WHE, as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: University degree in epidemiology, public health, international health, or related field from a recognized university.
Desirable: Degree or diploma in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary science, midwifery, nursing, medical biology or a related discipline. Advanced degree in epidemiology, public health, international health, complemented by a degree or diploma in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary science, midwifery, nursing, medical biology or a related discipline. In-service training in field epidemiology such as field epidemiology (and Laboratory) Training Programme (or equivalent).
Experience
Essential: Minimum two years of relevant work experience with successful track record in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events; epidemic intelligence at the national and/or international levels.
Desirable: Field experience in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events experience in resource-limited countries. Field experience in the context of large epidemics or public health crisis at national and international exposure. Experience of working with event-based surveillance and risk assessment. Knowledge of WHO processes of verification, alert and response operations.
Skills
Experience in surveillance, field epidemiology and emerging diseases. Ability to interact in multidisciplinary and cross-cutting environment involving technical, cultural and political elements. Sound analytical and organizational skills. Willingness to be deployed 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. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.
