Epidemiologist Grade: P4

Vacancy Notice No: WPRO/13/TASR7 Title: Epidemiologist Grade: P4 Contract type: Temporary Appointment under Staff Rule 420.4 Duration of contract:  12 months	Date: 12 January 2013 Application Deadline: 2 February 2013 (3 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Manila, Philippines   Organization unit: WP/DSE Health Security and Emergencies (WP/DSE) / WP/ESR Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response (WP/ESR)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To support the efforts of member states to prepare for and handle health emergencies and disasters, by leading inter-sectoral collaboration efforts, and by providing technical support in the areas of program planning, capacity building, risk management and mitigation, and recovery / rehabilitation efforts.
Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the Team Leader in Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response, the incumbent will perform the following duties: 1. Conduct day-to-day event-based surveillance with appropriate risk assessment at the Regional Office; 2. Develop and maintain appropriate database for event-based surveillance at the Regional Office; 3. Guide the Regional Office's Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) fellowship training programme fellows through on-the-job training for event-based surveillance and risk assessment; 4. Develop risk assessment tools specific to our priority diseases in the Region through event-based surveillance-related activities at the Regional Office; 5. Facilitate to disseminate and adjust risk assessment tools developed at the Regional Office with the Member States; 6. Monitor development of mechanism of risk assessment for acute public health event in the Regional Office; 7. Participate in outbreak response and collaborate with country offices on the revision of risk assessment tools; 8. Provide support, as required, to the Editor of Western Pacific Surveillance and Response; and 9. Perform other duties as required. Expected specific outputs/outcomes The incumbent will participate as a member of the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) Outbreak Preparedness and Response Team in the management and control of communicable disease outbreaks or health security events in the Region. The individual will be expected to develop and implement a framework that will enable risk assessment, risk communication and risk acceptance of communicable diseases within the social, economic and political contexts appropriate to the Member States in the Western Pacific Region (WPR). This will involve the coordination and supervision of identification of priority diseases, epidemiological evaluation of surveillance systems, identifying constraints in control measures, examining the potential for policy development, assisting Member States with implementation and reviewing the systems to ensure quality improvement. Direct guidance is provided through regular consultation on technical and policy issues with the Team Leader/ESR and the Director, Health Security and Emergencies. The incumbent is expected to work with other relevant technical staff in all levels of the Organization and in particular the Division of Health Security and Emergencies (DSE) in WPRO through coordination, consultation, technical guidance and support. The incumbent can, under WHO management, recommend regional capabilities to detect and contain any further outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases that may occur and to guide countries' preparedness for long-term prevention and control. He/She can recommend methods for enhancing capacity for surveillance, training assessment and response in the Region. He/She is authorized to respond immediately, as appropriate, to any occurrence of such in any part of the Region; to provide technical assistance and training support to national institutions engaged in activities related to risk assessment and investigations of outbreaks of emerging infections, including the possible re-emergence of infectious diseases.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: University degree in a health related field and a Master's degree in applied epidemiology, medicine, public health or related field are essential.
Skills:  Good management skills. Broad knowledge and experience in risk assessment of emerging and re-emerging diseases. Ability to design studies, analyse data and write concise reports. Working knowledge in the use of database, spreadsheet and basic statistical programmes. Ability to lead a team of professionals, and to deal diplomatically with senior-level national counterparts. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct. Competencies: 1. Communicating in a credible and effective way 2. Producing results 3. Moving forward in a changing environment 4. Fostering integration and teamwork 5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Experience: Minimum of seven years' experience in developing and implementing communicable disease control activities, including experience at international level is essential. Broad knowledge of the principles of surveillance and response is required. Previous international experience in working with WHO in a developing country context is desirable. Previous work experience in Asia is an asset.
Languages: Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.
Additional Information: This vacancy notice is published in English only.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD67 483 at single rate USD72 467 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 59.1 % 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.