IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal devices system settings.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The main objective of WHOs Health Emergencies Programme is to help member states, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The incumbent will perform the following duties:
- Provide technical guidance and support to countries on surveillance of influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses (ORV) including MERS-CoV and RSV, as well as on integration of the surveillance of influenza and ORV of epidemic and pandemic potential.
- Conduct country
- Be responsible for the collection, management, analysis and dissemination of surveillance data on influenza and ORV generated by the countries.
- Prepare reports and epidemiologic summaries on influenza and ORV activity in the Region.
- Contribute to the development of country Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.
- Plan and provide guidance to countries in updating and monitoring their pandemic influenza preparedness and response plan.
- Disseminate technical documents, guidelines and protocols pertaining to influenza preparedness and response for Member States.
- Coordinate and prepare epidemiologic research projects and studies related to influenza and ORV.
Contribute and manage the implementation of planned- and monitoring of work plan progress.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: University degree in epidemiology or infectious diseases
Desirable: An advanced university degree (masters degree) in epidemiology of infectious diseases or public health
Experience
Essential: At least five years experience, with international exposure, working in epidemiology of communicable diseases, including surveillance of influenza and other respiratory diseases.
Desirable: Experience working with the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and carrying out studies on disease burden of influenza and Pandemic influenza severity assessment would be an asset.
Skills
- Ability to work with national Ministries of health on planning, implementing and monitoring of Influenza surveillance programmes.
- Good knowledge and technical expertise in Surveillance and Response with an emphasis on influenza and ORV.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills, complemented by good interpersonal and presentation skills.
- Effective writing skills and ability to draft, evaluate and edit technical reports and publications.
WHO Competencies
Link: Enhanced WHO global competency model
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
- Communication
- Ensuring the effective use of resources
- Moving forward in a changing environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Arabic.
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 64,121 (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 1608 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
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
- 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: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- 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.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
- Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
- 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.
- 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 to
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
-
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- For information on WHOs operations please
- For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
- In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates
- Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:
(a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.
(b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided.
(c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.
This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position:
- Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
- Additional services for Swiss nationals who get invited to the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
- Let us know by writing to We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility.
