Regional Adviser, Epidemiological Surveillance and International Health Regulations

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Vacancy Notice No: EMRO/13/FT950 Title: Regional Adviser, Epidemiological Surveillance and International Health Regulations(ESI - PD 173744) Grade: P5 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  Post of limited duration for two years	Date: 23 June 2013 Application Deadline: 21 July 2013 (14 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Cairo, Egypt   Organization unit: EMRO Eastern Mediterranian Regional Office (EM/RGO) / EM/RDO Office of The Regional Director (EM/RDO) Epidemiological Surveillance and International Health Regulations (ESI)/Department of Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control (DCD)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The overall objectives of the Epidemiological Surveillance and International Health Regulations (IHR) - known as ESI - unit are to coordinate activities that will: (a) Strengthen the epidemiological and surveillance systems in member states of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. (b) Develop and strengthen core capacities (laboratory, surveillance, coordination, communication and legislation) for epidemiological surveillance, alert and response systems under IHR 2005.
Description of duties: Purpose of the Post: To provide technical advice and support to national authorities for: (a) Developing, strengthening and maintaining adequate surveillance systems for communicable diseases. (b) Implementing and monitoring IHR 2005. Organizational Context: Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control (DCD), and the overall guidance of the Director of Programme Management (DPM), the incumbent will lead and coordinate the team of epidemiologists, technical staff with expertise in surveillance and IHR. The incumbent will work in collaboration with relevant units in WHO Regional Office of the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), WHO Headquarters (HQ) and Global IHR secretariat and partner organizations. The incumbent will provide technical advice to member states on communicable diseases surveillance and implementation of IHR 2005 through maintaining regular communication with epidemiological surveillance and national level focal points of IHR 2005. Summary of Assigned Duties: 1. Lead, manage and motivate a team of technical experts at the Regional Office (RO) level. Provide technical supervision and guidance to technical professionals at the Country Office (CO) level through networking and regular interaction. 2. Plan, coordinate, monitor and evaluate regional programme on strengthening epidemiological surveillance and IHR. 3. Provide technical advice and support to member states on developing regional policies and strategies on strengthening and sustaining communicable diseases surveillance systems. 4. Provide technical inputs for the recruitment of consultants and experts to enlist necessary professional support for the achievement of programme objectives through: (a) Networking; (b) Provision of administrative assistance in recruitment process; (c) Follow-up with national counterparts to ensure the adoption of technical recommendations made by engaged consultants. 5. Strengthen the current regional epidemiological surveillance system for communicable diseases using modern information technologies and opportunities. 6. Assess and determine needs of member states for strengthening and meeting the core capacities required for IHR 2005 implementation. 7. Provide technical assistance to relevant authorities in member states on the development, implementation and monitoring of IHR 2005 action plan. 8. Organize, implement and report on inter-country meetings, workshops conducted for implementation and monitoring of IHR 2005. 9. Work with DCD teams and national authorities to monitor public health risks from communicable diseases of potential concern within member states and to advise on appropriate public health action to stop and/or minimize spread of the disease. 10. Provide technical assistance to member states on promoting, strengthening activities related to regional response on Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC).
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: University degree in medicine and a masters degree in epidemiology and/or diseases surveillance. Desirable: Training in public health.
Skills:  Competencies: 1. Creating an empowering and motivating environment; 2. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization; 3. Ensuring the effective use of resources; 4. Producing results; 5. Moving forward in a changing environment Functional Skills and Knowledge: - Excellent knowledge of public health principles and communicable diseases surveillance, prevention and control. - Excellent managerial skills and proven skills in capacity building and coordination. - Good presentation skills. Other Skills: Proficiency of MS Office and demonstrable skills in the use of epidemiological and statistical software.
Experience: Essential: At least 10 years of experience combined at national and international levels in the field of communicable diseases epidemiology, surveillance, response and international health regulations.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of Arabic and/or French is an asset.
Additional Information: - Applicants are kindly requested to pay attention to the screening questions as they will be used to screen out unqualified candidates. - Only qualified applicants with the relevant experience will be considered. - A written test/presentation and interviews will be used as a form of screening. The written test might be used as an eliminatory tool. - Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice (this could be the base for rosters). - Interviews will include competency-based questions.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 80734.00 at single rate USD 86904.00 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 39.4 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening
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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.
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