Disease Control Officer – UN jobs in Ghana

Accra, Ghana
negotiable Expires in 3 months

JOB DETAIL

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 thefollowing:POLICY & STRATEGYSupports the Ministry of Health inthe 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 & EVALUATIONProvides 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 eliminationEnsure 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 MOBILIZATIONContributes 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 KNOWLEDGEPromotes 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 centers; 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 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 work in the field with community health workers. Experience in coordination of different programs at 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: of French.

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 77,326 (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 2810 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.
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  • 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 the WHO Values Charter into practice.
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Ghana, Accra

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