Purpose of the Post:

The Technical Officer, (One Health and Zoonotic Diseases), coordinates and/or manages WHO technical activities at the human-animal-environment interface with internal and external technical partners, promotes mechanisms and methodologies to improve country preparedness and capacities for the management of zoonotic diseases ( emerging, re-emerging and endemic) and other threats at the human-­animal-environment interface and provides guidance, training and tools to assess and leverage the One Health approach in the implementation of the IHR (2005) using the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF) as a strategic framework.

The position provides support to national surveillance in vulnerable and resource-limited countries for a better all-hazards preparedness approach to health emergencies. He/She contributes to the development of specialized national capacity in assessing and strengthening their operational capability to detect and respond to zoonotic diseases and other challenges at the human-animal-environment interface. The incumbent supports the development of approaches and tools enabling coordination between the human health, animal health, environment and other sectors that is consistent with a One Health approach. The Technical Officer (One Health and Zoonotic Diseases) coordinates and/or manages WHE WPRO technical activities at the human-animal interface with internal and external technical partners and stakeholders, promotes mechanisms and methodologies to improve country preparedness and capacities for the management of zoonotic diseases and other threats at the human-animal-environment interface and provides guidance, training and tools to assess and implement the One Health approach in the implementation of the IHR (2005) using APHSAF as an action framework.

The incumbent will be deployed to emergency operations when required.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

1. Lead provision of technical advice and support into the design, implementation and assessment of disease prevention and control programmes on zoonotic diseases and emerging infectious diseases, within the framework of the policies and strategies of the Organization taking into consideration the requirements of IHR (2005) and APHSAF and using a One Health approach;

2. Provide technical advice and expertise and strengthen country prevention, preparedness, readiness and response to emergencies at all levels at the human-animal-environment interface, including the organization of One Health events such as workshops, webinars, simulation exercises, training programmes and assessments of country performance in liaison with appropriate internal and external stakeholders;

3. Participate in the development and management of other technical programmes with a human-animal­environment interface component in close collaboration with the responsible unit in the Regional Office, country offices, and HQ, including AMR, climate change, environmental health, food safety, zoonotic influenza, and animal-mediated rabies;

4. Enhance and expand multisource surveillance systems for detection, alert and response to zoonoses and emerging infectious diseases of public health importance taking into consideration the requirements of the IHR (2005) and APHSAF;

5. Improve coordination between One Health partners through enhanced collaboration and sharing of information at subnational, national and regional level;

6. Collaborate with other team members, key stakeholders and One Health partners, to conduct real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data and risk analysis, from a broad range of sources including non-health sectors, for epidemic forecasting and detection;

7. Support the conduct of and analyze the current level of preparedness and readiness with a focus on the most vulnerable countries using country-specific data collected from. IHR-MEF, WOAH PVS Pathway, IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshops, and other relevant frameworks. As relevant in this process, additional indicators of vulnerability can be proposed to better reflect risks in specific areas – e.g. associated with wild animal trade or live animal markets (to be conducted in close collaboration with relevant teams in WHO and with One Health partners such as F AO, WOAH and UNEP).

8. Promote inter-programmatic coordination with other technical entities within WHE and serve as WHE focal point for internal cross-cutting activities for One Health, zoonoses, emerging infectious diseases, rabies, and veterinary public health among various internal and external groups and committees.

9. Act as the human-animal-environment interface focal point during WHO response to selected acute events in coordination with WPRO HIM, FOS and others, providing epidemiological input and technical support during zoonotic events risk assessment and response when requested;

10. Promote multidisciplinary research activities and publication in international peer-reviewed journals such as WPSAR, to improve the evidence-base in the areas of One Health, zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases, and veterinary public health;

11. Support the mobilization of national and international resources in support of training, technical assistance and research activities which result in improvements in the management and structure of zoonotic disease, emerging infectious disease and One Health programmes;

12. Lead or participate in multidisciplinary site visits related to epidemiological investigation of outbreaks and public health emergencies, and provide field-based technical support and programmatic guidance, interpreting and adapting existing guidelines or, when necessary, developing new guidelines and procedures;

13. Prepare and disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical reports, policy documents and position papers based on the results of epidemiological and socioeconomic studies related to zoonoses, emerging infectious diseases and One Health;

14. Promote, collaborate and coordinate resource mobilization efforts to facilitate the implementation of the regional programmes at the regional, national, subnational and local levels, including timely preparation of proposals, briefs and comprehensive reports as per donor requirements;

15. Engage and support collaborative networks and relevant working groups involving regional, international organizations, governmental and nongovernmental institutions, academia, professional and scientific societies engaged in of zoonotic diseases, veterinary public health and One Health such as Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), F AO, WOAH and UNEP;

16. Support capacity building and workforce development to strengthen human resources to conduct surveillance, alert and response activities specifically targeted at priority zoonotic diseases and emerging infectious diseases at national, subnational and local levels;

17. Collaborate in the preparation of the biennial work plan and execution of international cooperation projects, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic issues and performance assessment;

18. Participate in the IHR on-call duty roster;

19. Upon request, provide technical support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency activities at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency; and

20. Perform. other related duties, as requested by supervisor, including provision of support to other areas of work and teams or program.me areas within the DSE/WHE, as required.

Competencies

• Teamwork

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.

• Communication

• Moving forward in a changing environment

• Building and promoting partnership across the Organization and beyond

Functional Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge of epidemiology, zoonoses, emerging infectious diseases, communicable disease prevention and control and One Health.

• Sound management skills with ability to manage human and financial resources.

• Proven organizational and analytical skills, together with excellent interpersonal skills.

• Capacity to promote and implement collaboration and exchange with partners, toward the implementation of best practices.

• Knowledge of WHO mandate policies and processes.

• Knowledge of the One Health approach to infectious diseases and its concepts.

• Ability to work flexibly, autonomously and efficiently and adapt to shifting priorities.

• Capacity to work under pressure and deliver with tight deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to use and make sense of complex data and/or information to effectively solve problems and contribute to public health decision-making.

• Strong writing skills including for presentations, proposals, concept notes, reports and other technical documents.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and diplomatic skills.

• Experience synthesizing information and communicating effectively in a timely manner to broad and diverse audiences.

• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Education {Qualifications):

Essential:

Advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, medicine, microbiology, veterinary medicine, One Health, or field relevant to the position.

Desirable:

A doctorate degree in any of the above or a field relevant to the position.

Experience:

Essential:

Minimum seven years of combined relevant national and international experience on preparedness, prevention, detection and response to zoonotic or emerging infectious disease outbreaks. Experience should include surveillance, risk assessment and outbreak response. Experience with multisectoral coordination taking a One Health approach.

Desirable:

Relevant field experience in zoonoses, emerging infectious diseases, and animal health. Experience of work in the area of preparedness for pandemic diseases and other public health emergencies. Experience of managing and conducting IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshops. Previous international experience in working with WHO or other UN agencies in a developing country context.

Language:

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

Proficient in standard MS Office software applications with knowledge in IT tools for information sharing with emphasis on epidemiological and statistical software. Proven experience in writing reports and technical documents. Excellent presentation skills.

Additional information:

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
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