Purpose of the Post

The position is responsible to lead the implementation of the objectives of the Infectious Hazard Management Programme Area with respect to strengthening the surveillance, evidence base for prevention, preparedness for, and response to seasonal, avian and pandemic influenza, COVID-19, RSV and other non-respiratory high-threat epidemic-prone pathogens whose control requires a multisectoral approach. The incumbent ensures and supports implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) through provision of expert advice. The incumbent will be deployed to emergency operations when required.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Programme Area or field activity

The mission of the Division of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The WHE Division 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. The Programme 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 main objective of the Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) Programme Area is:

Infectious Hazard Management Programme Area is responsible for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority high-threat infectious hazards. This includes assessing risk and burden, developing and supporting prevention and control strategies, tools and capacities for high-threat infectious hazards, establishing and maintaining experts networks to detect, understand and manage new or emerging high threat infectious hazards as well as providing support for the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework. The High Threat Pathogens (PAT) team develops strategies, guidance, global mechanisms and interventions to address high threat pathogens responsible for epidemics or pandemics thereby reducing their impact on affected populations and limiting their international spread. This team deals with influenza, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and other respiratory viruses, and a wide range of vectorborne, emerging and high threat pathogens as well as the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.

Summary of Assigned Duties

• The position is responsible for senior epidemiological leadership.
• Provides high level expertise assisting national, regional, and global level authorities in the development and implementation of strategic plans and guidelines for surveillance and response to high threat pathogen problems.
• Analyses, interprets surveillance data, the literature and leads or assists in in the dissemination of epidemiologic and virologic data through WHO and peer-reviewed publications, including disease burden and risk assessment studies of respiratory viruses and other high threat pathogens at national and regional level
• Provides overall coordination and expertise into the technical development and production of information products such as The European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary (ERVISS) bulletin. Working with and supervising consultants where necessary, duties include, but are not limited to: overseeing routine operations of the Regional data collection; preparation of the weekly ERVISS and other bulletins; ensuring that the data repository is maintained, and; provision of timely data to WHO global influenza surveillance platforms.
• Supports the work of the IHM Programme Area by providing technical support to Member States to improve surveillance and reporting of disease caused by influenza, COVID-19 and other high threat pathogen and to better use surveillance data to inform respiratory disease prevention and treatment programmes through country missions, intercountry workshops and trainings and development of technical guidance.
• Contributing to epidemic alert and response activities related to respiratory infections through risk assessment and response activities, including outbreak investigation support to Member States for unusual health events related to respiratory infections within the framework of the IHR.

Competencies:

• Producing Results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Teamwork
• Communication

Functional/Technical Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills in international and multi-cultural settings, including the proven capacity to lead and deliver on deadlines during periods of intense stress and activity; demonstrated ability to provide independent leadership in such periods with capacity to organize, monitor and synthesize information quickly and concisely.
• Proven ability to successfully coordinate, manage and lead projects and workshops, and build partnerships, across agencies and organizational departments in the context of health emergencies.
• Expert level knowledge of infectious diseases, particularly in those areas such as influenza, critical for promoting a public health perspective and approach, such as infectious disease epidemiology, prevention or control, monitoring and vaccination and significant practical application of this knowledge in an international context.
• Proven understanding of the management of acute and urgent public health responses, including infectious disease outbreaks in humanitarian emergencies. Demonstrated effectiveness in building sustained partnerships and working with others in international settings.

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters or above) in medicine, microbiology, public health or other area related to the function.

Desirable:Doctorate (or equivalent) in epidemiology, microbiology, or related field.

Experience:

Essential: At least 7 years’ experience working on the prevention of infectious diseases combined with an emphasis on influenza or respiratory pathogens, including at least 3 years working on either infectious disease outbreak control or influenza or dangerous pathogens as related to the function as noted above.

Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO and/or other UN sister agencies; experience working in other multi and bilateral development agencies active in the health sector.

Experience working at an international level including low- and middle-income countries. Proven experience in responsibility for management of work plan activities.

Good skills or experience in teaching or training.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of either French, Russian, or German.

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 77,326 (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 5,032 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

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 Manual.

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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 staff. 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:reasonableaccommodation@who.int

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 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

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 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally 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. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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