Regional Adviser, Pandemic & Epidemic Diseases (PED)

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: /13/FT260 Title: Regional Adviser, Pandemic & Epidemic Diseases (PED) - Position 172006 Grade: P5 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  2 years	Date: 20 June 2013 Application Deadline: 18 July 2013 (11 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Cairo, Egypt   Organization unit: Division of Communicable Disease Control - Health Security and Regulations team (HSR)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Purpose of the post: To develop and support appropriate regional and country programmes for prevention and control of pandemic and epidemic-prone emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Objective of the programme: The overall objective of the programme is to prevent and control pandemic and epidemic prone diseases in the Eastern Meditarranean Region through working with the EMR Member States through (i) building appropriate public health preparedness and response measures for control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases; (ii) strenthening field epidemiological capacity for outbreak investigation, detection and response to epidemics and pandemics; (iii) improving epidemic forecasting and detection through real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data on infectious diseases; (iv) ensuring the availability of and access to strategic guidance for detection, verification, risk assessment, communication and public health response to public health emergencies that might constitute national, regional and international public health concern in the EMR countries. Organzational Context: Under the direct supervision of Director, Communicable Disease Prevention and Control and, the overall guidance of Director, Programme Management, the incumbent will lead and manage the work of the programme and develop strategic policies and programmes for prevention and control of epidemic and pandemic-prone emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. He/she will also lead the work of developing appropriate project proposals, mobilization of resources, managing the worl of other staff in the programme and organization of training courses for public health professionals on field epidemiology, outbreak investigation and response for epidemics and pandemic.
Description of duties: Develop policies and programmes for prevention and control of epidemic and pandemic prone emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases including Zoonoses. Monitor and coordinate the public health programmes for control of epidemic and pandemic prone diseases and Zoonoses in the Region. Coordinate and facilitate the establishment of early warning system for epidemic and pandemic-prone disease for early detection, verification and response to epidemics and pandemics. Build and guide a system for conducting real-time analysis of epidemic intelligence data for epidemic risk assessment, forecasting and detection. Maintain a solid system for comprehensive trend analysis of the emerging infectious disease situation including all public health events related to epidemics and pandemics over time. Foster a comprehensive policy for providing technical support to the national health authorities to develop necessary guidelines, protocols, standards and standard operating procedures (SoPs) for effective public health response to epidemics and pandemics. Lead and expand WHO's leadership in the field of outbreak investigation, verification, risk assessment and rapid public health response in the event of a public health emergency of potential concern; Collaborate with appropriate technical networks, institutions, universities and WHO Collaborating Centers for developing appropriate training courses on field epidemiology for the Member States; Foster collaboration and coordinate efforts with international partners and donor agencies to mobilize resources and facilitate effective utilization of resources to augment prevention and control activities for emerging infectious diseases; Promote WHO's position to successfully influence national authorities for developing infection prevention and control programmes, particularly focusing on preparedness and response to epidemics and pandemics; Lead and coordinate the organization wide event management system of WHO's alert and response operations to epidemics and pandemics.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: University degree in Medicine with Master's degree in Health Sciences or Public Health. Desirable: Training in epidemiology.
Skills:  Competencies: - Creating an empowering and motivating environment. - Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond. - Ensuring the effective use of resources. - Producing results. - Promoting WHO's position in health leadership. Functional Skills and Knowledge: - Demonstrated knowledge of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response with particular attention to the use of applied field epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease control programme. - Effective presentation and writing skills. - Effective communication skills for conducting training courses. - Familiarity with health problems in the Region. Other Skills: Proficiency of MS Office and demonstrable skills in the use of epidemiological and statistical software.
Experience: Essential: 10 years of combined experience at the national and international levels in public health particularly in the areas of communicable disease control and response. Desirable: Experience in the areas of outbreak investigation and response for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of Arabic or French is an asset.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$80,734 at single rate US$86,904 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.
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Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.