PO, Epidemic Control - Rapid Response (WAHO)
(1 Position)
Internationally recruited position
- Department: Specialised Institution
- Directorate: Epidemics and Disease Control
- Grade: P3
- Annual Salary: USD 36,901- USD 44,469
- Supervisor: Director, Epidemics and Disease Control
- Reference: ECW-WAHO/REC/DEDC-P/003/2015
- Duration: Permanent
- Duty Station: Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
- Closing Date: 30 June 2015
Under the supervision of the Director of DEDC, the Professional Officer in charge of deployment during outbreaks and other health emergencies will work closely with the Unit in charge of epidemics and epidemic-prone diseases control and the Professional Officer in charge of Health Information System.
The incumbent will work towards establishing a health professional team readily available for rapid response to epidemics. Members of this squad will be selected, trained, equipped and organized so as to be mobilized very quickly for field deployment in the event of outbreak.
This will be done in collaboration with training institutions offering Field Epidemiological Training courses in the sub-region (Field Epidemiologist and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP Model)).
The incumbent will work towards establishing a health professional team readily available for rapid response to epidemics. Members of this squad will be selected, trained, equipped and organized so as to be mobilized very quickly for field deployment in the event of outbreak.
This will be done in collaboration with training institutions offering Field Epidemiological Training courses in the sub-region (Field Epidemiologist and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP Model)).
Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate setting up of the regional rapid response squad to be mobilized for field deployment during outbreak.
- Conduct mapping of the status and functioning of Field Epidemiology Training Institutions
- Participate in the design and implementation of training and refresher course activities, preparation of simulation exercises and production and dissemination of knowledge in the form of publications.
- Develop and maintain databases on experts and technicians in field epidemiology and disease surveillance in the region that could be mobilized from one country to another in case of need.
- Provide direct technical assistance for the development of annual work plans of the rapid response squad.
- Monitor on quarterly basis programme’s progress.
- Act as a contact person for the rapid response squad’s activities and ensure communication with technical partners and field epidemiology training structures.
- Establish adequate coordination mechanisms with other stakeholders and communicate programme’s achievements to supporting institutions and partners to better position the rapid response squad and enhance its visibility in relation to the global effort geared towards containing and preventing epidemics in the region.
- Assist in mobilizing resources for programme activities.
- Be willing to travel to ECOWAS countries.
- Carry out any other tasks assigned by Line Managers.
Qualifications/Experience/Skills
Education
Experience
Competencies
- Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree and postgraduate qualifications in medicine or health sciences with specialization in Field Epidemiology Training.
Experience
- Have a minimum of 5 years all round and rich professional experience in management and implementation of complex public health programmes involving field deployment of rapid response squads in sub-Saharan Africa;
- A higher degree would reduce the number of years of experience required to eight (8).
Competencies
- Have great ability for strategic analysis, synthesis and reports writing.
- Have proven experience in the implementation of surveillance and disease control strategies, teamwork, supervision of implementing partners, programme administration, contract compliance, and financial management monitoring.
- Have proven leadership skills, ability to work in teams, create and maintain good interpersonal relations and possess advocacy techniques knowledge.
- Have excellent communication and negotiation skills and a good knowledge of health policies and the related working environment for health professionals training in the ECOWAS countries.
- Be able to work under pressure in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
- Have good computer knowledge
Age
Candidates should not be over 50 years old at the point of recruitment and must be a citizen of one of the ECOWAS member states;
Language
Have excellent knowledge of any of the three official languages of ECOWAS (English, French or Portuguese). Working knowledge of the other would be an added advantage.
PO, Epidemic Control - Rapid Response (WAHO)