OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems division (WSE) is responsible for building a system of collaborative intelligence to enable better decisions to avert and manage public health threats and risks. Its goal is to enable, strengthen and support countries, regional and global actors in averting and managing public health threats and risks through collaborative problem solving and decision-making for short-term action and long-term policies, informed by better data and analytics. The WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence is a new office of WHO, located in Berlin. It works with partners to support the generation of relevant public health information to provide timely actionable insights and improve decision making to prepare for, avert and respond to public health threats. It also aims to reduce fragmentation and inefficiency by creating an ecosystem that promotes collaboration across multiple professional disciplines, sectors, and initiatives; and empower decision makers, public health professionals, and civil society to make informed public health decisions.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Pathogen genomic surveillance is a core area of focus for the WHO Pandemic Hub which launched the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) in 2023. This position will provide expert technical guidance in strengthening global, regional and country pathogen genomic surveillance capacities through new approaches, evidence-based policies and strategies, and capacity-building initiatives:
- Provides senior-level health technical expertise and advice to the Unit Head, Director and WHE Senior Management on the development and establishment of new health strategies and policies for implementation into and/or the monitoring and evaluation of national and global policies.
- Assumes a discernible role in the implementation of the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) including the communities of practice, Country Scale-Up Accelerator, development of global public goods, and other tools, products and initiatives.
- Serves as a scientific/technical reference among UN Agencies and the peer community on the development of global genomic surveillance and analytic capabilities.
- Builds technical partnerships with UN Agencies, donors, research institutions and other stakeholders in the development of global genomic surveillance and analytic capabilities.
- Represents the programme area of work in global for a and capacity-building activities.
- Supports global expert networks to develop genomic surveillance tools, methods, and approaches in a collaborative environment.
- Provides senior technical expertise for analytics and bioinformatics for genomic surveillance for the detection and response to health emergencies.
- Performs all other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: An advanced level university degree (Masters level or above) in public health, epidemiology, pathogen genomic surveillance, bioinformatics or related field.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.
Experience
Essential: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in genomic surveillance and analytics, including experience providing expert level guidance to senior managers and decision makers. Experience in developing and establishing policies and strategies, partnership building, capacity building, and product development. In-depth understanding of and experience with networks and actors across the pathogen genomic surveillance landscape. Demonstrated senior level experience at the international and national levels.
Desirable: Demonstrated leadership in establishing and leading national pathogen genomic surveillance initiatives.
Skills
- Globally respected level of technical expertise and knowledge in pathogen genomic surveillance and analytic capabilities.
Extensive experience in developing and implementing pathogen genomic surveillance systems at the global, regional, and national levels. Proven leadership in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of public health/disease control programmes. Strong skills in the areas of developing and establishing policies and strategies. Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States and partners. Skilled in the analysis of genomic surveillance data and communication of findings. Experience in building capacity among Member States and key stakeholders for the implementation of genomic surveillance.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Moving forward in a changing environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of another UN Language.
REMUNERATION
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 92,731 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3771 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.ย Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.ย A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.ย In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link:ย http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.ย According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.ย Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.ย Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.ย The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.ย The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email toย reasonableaccommodation@who.int An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put theย WHO Values Charterย into practice.ย WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.ย Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.ย WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.ย The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.ย Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly atย shws@who.int. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.ย For information on WHO's operations please visit:ย http://www.who.int. 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