Epi Fellows programme

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Qualifications

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Epidemiology Fellowship Programme in the EMR (Epi Fellows), is designed to build the capacity of young epidemiologists from low- and middle-income countries in the region under the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network Strategy. Fellows will be assigned to the WHO country offices in their home countries for a six-month period. The initiative is jointly being implemented by WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) and WHO UHC/Health Systems (UHS) at WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.

The fellowship aims to enhance their skills, knowledge, and understanding of national, regional, and global outbreak management by engaging them in WHO technical programs.

The programme has the following objectives:

·       Provide a framework for young epidemiologists from low- and middle-income countries in the EMR, designed to enhance their educational experience through practical, hands-on assignments involving health sector including Ministry of Health and National Public health Institutes or Centers for Disease Control.

·    To provide young professionals with direct exposure to the work of WHO, an opportunity to acquire practical experience in WHO, by working under the direct supervision of experienced WHO staff.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of a technical expert in the respective area, fellows are assigned a project based on agreed terms of references and in line with their skills set. These terms of references typically include some or all of the following responsibilities:

·         review literature and conduct literature surveys

·         undertake web research and data collection and analysis on specific subject area

·          organize and analyze data

·         participate in the development of tools and guidance documents

·         assist in drafting, formatting and editing policy briefs, tool kits, guides/manuals, hand-outs, brochures and reports

·         assist in organizing workshops, meetings, conferences, events

·         participate in on-going departmental projects

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Postgraduate degree in an area of study relevance to public health, outbreak management and epidemiology.

Skills

Core competencies

WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

All fellows should be able to demonstrate the following skills in line with the WHO core competencies:

• Producing and delivering quality results
  • Teamwork
  • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
  • Communicating effectively orally and in writing
  • Moving forward in a changing environment

    In addition, fellows need to be familiar with commonly used computer programmes, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Knowledge of specialized computer programmes, for example, statistical software such as XLStat may be an advantage.

    Experience

    Depending on the area of interest, 2 years of the below experience is required:

    • Experience in research and/or in drafting reports
    • Experience in the subject area through academic work or research 
    • Field and/or developing country experience