OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the Disease Prevention and Control programme is to contribute to the integrated prevention and control of diseases, particularly those posing serious public health problems in the country and hence considered as priority by the national authorities and WHO.

The programme aims at improving and building capacities to implement evidence-based prevention, control and care interventions, including health systems strengthening. In addition, the programme aims at collaborating with the Government and relevant stakeholders within the framework of Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) in significantly reducing the burden of malaria and other vector-borne diseases.

The programme contributes to the prevention, control, elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases by providing strategic leadership, engaging in partnerships and shaping the research agenda towards strengthening the capacity of the national programme to reduce the disease burden.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative, and in close coordination with the technical team in the regional office, the incumbent performs the following: POLICY & STRATEGY Supports the Ministry of Health in the development of Malaria & NTD strategic plan and detailed work plan and provide support to conduct Medium Term and End Term review of Malaria Strategic Plan; Supports the Ministry of Health in the adaptation and implementation of regional Malaria and NTD policies and Guidelines; Supports VBDC/MoH and NMCP the disease burden estimation, impact and progress measurement of VBDC control strategies.

The incumbent collaborates with all concerned government departments, cross-cutting programmes, bilateral and voluntary agencies to facilitate promotion of VBDC policies and exchange of information.

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING & EVALUATION

Provides technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in policy development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programme on integrated disease control with emphasis on those posing serious public health problems and priority disease eradication programmes;Provides technical and programmatic support to the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and Neglected tropical diseases (NTD) in planning, implementing, review, monitoring and evaluation of malaria control and elimination programme activities as outlined in the country’s plan of action;

Provides technical support to District Health System in implementing programme activities including early diagnosis, prompt and effective treatment based on laboratory confirmation (RDTs), locating treatment facilities and referring patients to those facilities, prevention through promotion, and increased awareness of communities about malaria and other vector borne disease prevention and control;

Supports NMCP and NTD to Strengthen Surveillance Monitoring and Evaluation, through supervision and data quality audit/assessment at Health facility and community levels, and use of data for action; Supports NMCP in the implementation of the three pillars of the GTS and the two supporting elements that guide global efforts to move closer to malaria elimination Ensure universal access to malaria Prevention diagnosis and treatment; Accelerate efforts toward elimination and attainment of malaria free status; Transform malaria surveillance into a core intervention; PARTNERSHIP & RESOURCE MOBILIZATION Contributes to the resource mobilization functions of WCO using existing mechanisms at country level; Mobilizes resources for the Malaria & NTD Programme of the MoH by supporting the development of Global Fund proposal and proposals to other donors /partners;

 CAPACITY BUILDING

Organizes training of health personnel in the epidemiology of communicable diseases and NCDs, provides technical support for the development of training material and guidelines for disease prevention and control at district and local level; Plans and organizes programs for capacity building on malaria, NTD components (case management, surveillance and M&E, vector control, communications) and other related areas targeting health professionals including community health workers;

EVIDENCE, RESEARCH and KNOWLEDGE

Promotes operational research on disease prevention and control and assists national officials in the development and implementation of these projects; Updates local information to inform vector control and identify challenges to its effectiveness such as insecticide resistance and residual parasite transmission; Advocates for evidence-based high impact interventions to be adopted or adapted in the national policies, strategies, programs and plans of disease prevention and control; Supports research and knowledge transfer activities of DPC by linking local research institutes and universities with global/regional WHO offices and WHO collaborating centres; Supports local research institutes and universities to conduct implementation and operations research;

PROGRAMS/CLUSTER COORDINATION

Serves as the Coordinator of the Disease Prevention and Control Cluster in WCO. Coordinates planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation ensuring coherence of approach in order to improve efficiency in the delivery of disease control programmes. Provides technical and programmatic guidance to technical units under the DPC cluster Provides leadership to the programs under the DPC cluster specifically in planning and reporting areas; Promotes a multidisciplinary approach, encourages cross-cluster cooperation and participates in building and enhancing partnership with the donor community, NGOs and other institutions; Supervises and monitors the performance of team members under the DPC cluster in WCOPerforms any other related duties as assigned by the WR.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree in public health or epidemiology with a degree in Medicine from an accredited University. Desirable: Training in Communicable diseases, prevention and control. Training in project management.

Experience

Essential: At least seven (7) years of progressive international and national experience in planning, management and implementation of communicable disease prevention and control interventions and other Neglected Tropical diseases-related activities

Desirable: Working experience with the WHO/ UN or experience with other international organizations. A minimum of 3 years of working experience in large public health projects. Experience of working in the field with community health workers. Experience in the coordination of different programs at the supervisory level.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of strategies for disease prevention and control; Strong managerial, leadership and negotiation skills, ability to coordinate teamwork, establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment; Knowledge of malaria and other VBDs control and public health Proven skills in malaria disease prevention, control end elimination.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Ensuring the effective use of resources Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: French.

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.
• 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 (are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process.
• 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 it into practice.
• 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.
• 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.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

Remuneration

We offer competitive remuneration based on skill and experience including;

• Monthly Salary (We will engage in negotiation with the Candidate concerning the salary once we make our offer in the Zoom Interview Meeting)
• Group Medical & Life Cover
• Relocation Cost and Housing Covered by the Employer
• Organizational Car and driver
• Per diem & overnight allowance on mission not in duty stations

NB:

• Applications not meeting minimum requirements will not be considered.
• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The position is open until filled due to the urgency of the recruitment