Major duties and responsibilities:

Function 1 :

Coordinates WHO activities in all aspects of surveillance for acute outbreaks in the designated areas, achieving results such as:

• Planning and conduct periodic visits to designated areas of concern (based on the data/information) to review surveillance data and to train local surveillance officers
• Regular update and maintenance of case lists in each designated area
• Leading regular meetings with local surveillance officers and make recommendations on data gathered.
• Compilation of surveillance indicators for each designated area for use in improving surveillance.
• Supervisory visits to the designated areas.
• Coordination and management of outbreak investigations, specimen collection and shipment, collection of descriptive data, application of statistical measures and epidemiological terms to develop a hypothesis, application of analytical methods to test the hypothesis, analysis and interpretation of data, assessment and monitoring of the disease patterns, publication of regular reports.
• Management of all DEWS-related logistics, supplies and financial requirements for the designated areas, including preparation of all necessary documents and following up processing the payments.
• Coordination of activities of surveillance personnel in the country and frequent updates of surveillance information.
• Performance and preparation of situational analyses and reports for the advisory bodies and other organizations / institutions.
• Aggregation, review, and analysis of reports of field technical personnel and provision of summaries to supervisors and technical feedback to the report originators.
• Timely technical review of reports submitted by provinces and analysis of data, including feedback to various health authorities.
• Establish and monitor DEWS sentinel sites in each designated area as required.
• Technical input for planning, supervision, and monitoring of provincial supplemental immunization activities.

Function 2 :

Strengthens local capacities in preparedness against disease outbreaks, achieving results such as:

• Identification of training needs for respective target audiences and development of comprehensive plans for capacity building.
• Preparation of training material tailored to the specific needs.
• Planning and implementation of surveillance training workshops within the designated area for Ministry of Health staff, private sector health care practitioners, NGOs and local Surveillance Officers
• Development of detailed plans for LQAS activities and conduct respective training to programme staff in the designated area.
• Conduct adequate training on Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Communicable Disease, Outbreak Investigation or similar areas for health personnel.
• Briefing and training of new surveillance officers/staff.

Function 3 :

Ensures planning, development and implementation of appropriate preparedness and emergency activities in the designated area, achieving results such as:

• Coordination with local health teams, vertical programmes, emergency and other partners to assign proper preparedness activities, including stockpiling supplies, training of response teams, and relevant assessments.
• Establishment of proposals in emergencies and disease outbreaks situations and communicate with MoH counterparts for resource allocations.
• Participate in meetings of relevant committees to review outbreak cases, requiring expert review.
• Provide technical inputs for the planning and implementation of high risk and transit point immunization as well as migrant population strategies.
• Collaboration with routine EPI programme staff in developing plans to ensure that supplemental campaign activities facilitate improvements in the routine EPI programme
•  Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience Required:

  Qualifications:

  Essential: First level university degree is required in medicine and/or public health planning and administration, complemented by a degree or studies in epidemiology, surveillance or monitoring.

  Professional Experience:

  Essential:

  • At least 2 year of experience required in health sector coordination with emphasis on emergency response relief and/or the management of epidemic-prone diseases.

  Desirable:

  • Relevant experience in surveillance, clinical case management of arbovirus infections and/or health promotion is an asset.
  • Knowledge of WHO mandate and goals or experience in UN Organizations, international institutions or NGOs is an asset.

  Language:

  Fluent in English and the local language

  Competencies:

  • Communicating in a credible and effective manner: Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others; listens actively. Produces effective written communications . Ensures that information is shared.
  • Producing Results: Produces and delivers quality results. Is action oriented and committed to achieving outcomes.
  • Knowing and managing yourself: Manages ambiguity and pressure in a self-reflective way. Uses criticism as a development opportunity. Seeks opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.