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Medical Officer (Tuberculosis)

Duty Station: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Organization unit: SEARO Regional Office for the South East Asia (SE/RGO) /
SE/CDS Department of Communicable Diseases (CDS) (SE/CDS)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
The Objectives of the Programme are to provide technical assistance to the Government in order to:
- strengthen the government capacity in coordinating and improving efficiency of the national response to reduce morbidity, mortality, disability and deformity caused by mycobacterial diseases (tuberculosis and leprosy).
- support generation of evidence that can be used for strengthening the national response to TB and leprosy control.
- support monitoring of the burden of TB and leprosy, in terms of epidemiology, programmatic and social impact.
Description of duties:
Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to Bangladesh, the incumbent in close collaboration with concerned units at WHO/SEARO and HQ will provide technical assistance and advice to the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP) and the National Leprosy Elimination Programme (NLEP) for the strengthening of the national responses. Specifically, he/she will be responsible to carry out the following functions:
- Advise and support the Government in the development of the overall strategy, implementation and work plans to implement the Stop TB strategy and Leprosy Strategy at national and sub-national levels, including the development and updating of policies and strategies on TB/HIV and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and in facilitating the procedures and monitoring WHO support to the tuberculosis programme and surveillance of communicable diseases including leprosy.
- Support efforts to promote and strengthen the Government-NGO partnership and all technical aspects of the TB programme at national and sub-national levels.
- Advise and support national programme staff on the technical and managerial aspects of TB control planning and implementation of TB projects especially the monitoring and evaluation system.
- Support operational research by advising NTP/NLEP in identification of operational research needs, by reviewing operational research proposals, advising national programme staff on the planning and implementation of operational research and participating in the operational research evaluation and dissemination workshops.
- In collaboration with relevant government agencies, other WHO units and other partners, provide technical assistance for strengthening the public health system in the country with particular emphasis on identifying and addressing health systems constraints to TB and leprosy control.
- Support efforts of NTP and NLEP for resource mobilization as well as for coordination of involvement of financial partners including Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; United States Agency for International Development, Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation, etc.
- Manage and supervise staff of the TB unit in the WCO, including the technical supervision of national professional officers, temporary national and/or international professionals, support staff and visiting consultants to ensure quality WHO technical assistance to the national programmes.
- To perform any other task, as required.

Expected main achievements:
High quality and up-to-date technical assistance provided to NTP and NLEP in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of their activities. It is expected that this will result in policies that are adequate and sustainable with proper balance of disease-specific and system strengthening elements, and strengthened stewardship role of the NTP/NLEP to lead the in-country partnerships of relevant stakeholders including government agencies, partner NGOs and donors.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Medicine degree and advanced training in TB control programme.

Desirable: Postgraduate degree/training in public health and or epidemiology Training in Leprosy.

Competencies:
1. Fostering integration and teamwork
2. Producing Results
3. Communicating in a credible and effective way
4. Building and Promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Promoting innovation and organizational learning
Skills:
Through knowledge and understanding of the theories and principles of tuberculosis and leprosy management including sound knowledge in developing, planning, implementation and evaluation of tuberculosis and leprosy programmes. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Other Skills (e.g. IT): Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Experience:
A minimum of 10 years experience in TB control with at least five years experiences in managing the TB control programme at the field and/or national level. Experience in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating disease control programmes.

Desirable: Experiene in leprosy control; Experience in developing countries; experience in WHO is an advantage.
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English
Annual salary: (Net of tax)
US$ 80,629 at single rate
US$ 86,791 with primary dependants
Post Adjustment: 35.9 % 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

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
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