| The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. | |
| Vacancy Notice No: AFRO/14/TA181 Title: EBOLA OUTBREAK - SURGE CAPACITY - EPIDEMIOLOGIST - THIS VACANCY SUPERSEDES VN AFRO/14/TA137 Grade: Contract type: Temporary appointment Duration of contract: Minimum 3-month assignment (strongly preferred) | Date: 17 December 2014 Application Deadline: 31 March 2015 (82 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Multiple duty stations Organization unit: AF Africa (AF) Liberia, Guinea. Sierra Leone (including at district level) |
| OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The current Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013 and now involves intense transmission in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. On Friday 25th July 2014 the Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005), and grading the outbreak to Grade 3 in line with the WHO Emergency Response Framework (ERF). There is heightened concern about the risk of Ebola spreading to other countries. Within this framework, a WHO Ebola Response team is dedicated exclusively to coordinate international response, and mobilise international technical assistance from WHO, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) and other partners and stakeholders to provide direct support for national outbreak response activities and in the field. The UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, agreed on the establishment of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) by the UNSG - the first of its kind - headquartered in Accra and providing a UN-wide initiative that draws together all the assets of all relevant UN agencies to tackle this crisis together. In this regard, WHO is the lead agency for a number of strategic objectives. | |
| Description of duties: Under the supervision of, and with guidance from the WHO National Surveillance Coordinator, the incumbent will: Support high quality data collection, management, analysis and reporting. Specific responsibilities may include: - Ensuring organization, supervision and coordination of an effective contact tracing; - Ensuring an effective alert monitoring and response system; - Ensuring that laboratory data is systematically captured and incorporated into the Ebola database in a timely and accurate manner; - Conducting surveillance training and supervision as necessary; - Supporting the development and implementation of analytical studies; - Liaising and collaborating with partners involved in surveillance activities. Depending on needs, performs other tasks as defined by the National Surveillance Coordinator. | |
| REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS | |
| Education: University degree in epidemiology or post-graduate degree in public health with substantial training in epidemiology. | |
| Skills: - Excellent interpersonal skills; - Strong organizational skills - Ability to work in a multicultural environment; - Ability to promote cohesive action and convince officials with tact and diplomacy; - Ability to function effectively in complex and rapidly changing emergency environments - Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual information. - Competency in data management and analysis. | |
| Experience: At least 2 years relevant experience including experience in information management for humanitarian emergencies; Strong epidemiology and surveillance experience; Previous experience working in a multi-cultural team during a disaster, communicable disease outbreak, or other emergency context, in developing country settings; Experience working with multiple partners including Ministries of Health. | |
| Languages: Depending on the country of assignment: - For French speaking countries: Good working knowledge (written & spoken) of French. Knowledge of English an advantage. - For English speaking countries: Good working knowledge (written & spoken) of English. Knowledge of French an advantage. | |
| Additional Information: CANDIDATES WHO APPLIED FOR VACANCY NOTICE AFRO/14/TA137 WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY AND THEREFORE DO NOT NEED TO RE-APPLY. THIS VACANCY IS GENERIC AND OUTLINES THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS WHO ARE CONSIDERED FOR DEPLOYMENT AGAINST A SPECIFIC POSITION WILL BE CONTACTED. AS REFERENCE CHECKS WILL BE MADE THROUGH YOUR CURRENT AND PREVIOUS EMPLOYERS AT THE POINT OF SHORTLISTING, PLEASE ENSURE THAT THEY ARE INFORMED OF THE URGENCY TO PROVIDE RAPID FEEDBACK. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU INDICATE THEIR E-MAIL ADDRESS WHEN COMPLETING YOUR PERSONAL HISTORY FORM. PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT CANDIDATES MUST: - HOLD A VALID YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CERTIFICATE - COMPLETE THE ONLINE UNDSS BASIC II SECURITY IN THE FIELD TRAINING WHICH IS ACCESSIBLE THROUGH https://training.dss.un.org/courses/v21/pages/dss_login_register.php - PROVIDE ALL COPIES OF DEGREES/DIPLOMAS INDICATED IN THEIR PERSONAL HISTORY FORM PERSONS CONTRACTED AGAINST THIS VACANCY NOTICE WILL COMPRISE A MOBILE WORKFORCE AND MAY BE DEPLOYED TO ANY LOCATION WITHIN THE ASSIGNED COUNTRY, BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THAT COUNTRY. THEY MAY ALSO BE REDEPLOYED TO ANOTHER LOCATION DURING THE COURSE OF THEIR ASSIGNMENT. | |
| This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. | |
| Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures. | |
| All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. | |
| WHO is committed to workforce diversity. | |
| Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. | |
