Public Health Officer

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About the Organization

Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. We direct and coordinate the world’s response to health emergencies. And we promote healthier lives – from pregnancy care through old age. Our Triple Billion targets outline an ambitious plan for the world to achieve good health for all using science-based policies and programmes.

Job Description

As one of the six WHO Regions, WHO South-East Asia is home to over a quarter of the world’s population. Committed to building a better, healthier future for the nearly two billion people in the Region, WHO is working with the 11 Member States (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste) to address persisting and emerging epidemiological and demographic challenges. The WHO South-East Asia Regional office (SEARO) is based in New Delhi, India.

The main objective of the Communicable Disease (CDS) department within SEARO is to support the countries in the South-East Asia Region in reducing morbidity and mortality from communicable diseases, improve the existing system of communicable disease surveillance including data management and response. More information on the department can be found here: https://www.who.int/southeastasia/teams/communicable-diseases-department.

The Communicable Disease Surveillance (CSR) unit works horizontally between different other disease specific programmes, units and departments in SEARO with the aim to improve surveillance in the region.

The UNV Public Health Officer will support the CSR team in the preparation of a summary of an evaluation report of currently used communicable disease surveillance systems and strategic information sources within the WHO South-East Asia Region. This elaborate work was initiated in 2023 with the aim to obtain an evidence base of currently used surveillance systems to subsequently develop a regional framework for integrated/collaborative communicable disease surveillance. The Public Health Officer will work closely with Regional Advisors and technical staff in the other units and departments, as well as with technical colleagues in the country offices in the region. He/she will further support the identification of subjects of interest to develop communication activities and products, assure the accurate and timely production and dissemination of high-quality public information products and support resource mobilisation efforts of the unit.

 Job Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Communicable Disease (CDS) department and under direct supervision of the Medical Officer (Epidemiologist) of the Communicable Disease Surveillance (CSR) unit in WHO SEARO, the Public Health Officer will perform the following duties on site, or after agreement with the CSR team, remotely:

Summarise a report on the evaluation of communicable disease surveillance systems and support the current evaluation of communicable disease surveillance systems in the remaining MS

• Support the review of the report, validation of information and integration of comments
• Closely coordinate with WHO’s CSR team and partners to summarise the report
• Ensure alignment and update of all references within the Endnote® library
• Prepare concise briefs and presentations for each country/disease area
• Prepare an executive summary
• Prepare action points for follow-up and recommendations for the way forward
• Review other frameworks in the area
• Based on the findings of the review and report, draft a structure for a potential regional framework for communicable disease surveillance in SEAR
• Actively participate in the ongoing unit’s work with contractors to evaluate surveillance systems in the remaining 5 SEAR MS
• Performs any other duties, assigned from time to time

Support communication, advocacy and partnership building including resource mobilization

• Develop a creative and strategic communication plan and ensure the timely implementation of the plan
• Develop Information and Communication materials and produce visibility materials which may include brochures, press release, calendars, banners, posters, factsheets, photos reportage, video documentary, audio-videos contents, case studies, best practices etc. for showcasing CSR and/or CDS’ work to WCO colleagues, donors, partners, and other stakeholders
• Plan, develop and implement social media and reporting activities, ensuring that they are suitable for external audiences
• Ensure the visibility of the unit through success stories with beneficiaries to post online, share with the media and submit to WCO and HQ for wider dissemination across WHO platforms
• Support the update of the department’s and unit’s website
• Support in the preparation and organization of speaking engagements, which involves creating background materials, drafting talking points, speeches, and presentations
• Draft, review and contribute to briefing notes, donor propositions, concept notes and reports and all other tasks linked to partnerships
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts through packaging and disseminating key contributions of CSR with outstanding results that foster the realization of WHO’s mandate

During the assignment, the National UN Volunteer will be able to:

• Gain insight and experience from working in a specialized UN Organization, including its mandate and organizational culture;
• Learn about the global, regional, and country-level work of an institution engaged in efforts to build the resilience and preventative capacities of people;
• Learn about the WHO system and offices in Member States and gain experience in inter-agency coordination across different sectors of WHO’s mandate;
• Gain substantial experience in supporting senior officials within international organizations, with a special focus on high-level stakeholder engagement, a crucial aspect of diplomacy and international relations;
• Develop interpersonal skills in interacting with partners from various regions, languages, religions, and cultures.

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience

• Master degree or equivalent in Public Health, Medicine, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases

Required experience

• 5 years of experience in public health, epidemiology or communicable disease surveillance at national and/or international level
• Experience in external communication activities and social media, particularly experience with science communication is an asset
• Experience working in the UN, WHO or other international development organizations in the region is an asset
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of communicable disease surveillance, prevention, and control.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management, including literature databases (i.e. Endnote); and office technology equipment;
• Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Have affinity with or interest in public health, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System

Languages

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

For more information please check the Link

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