Vacancy Announcement for Epidemiologist/Public Health Specialist
Objective of the Programme:
WHO Ethiopia supports Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH)/Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) efforts to strengthen the capacity to establish the minimum IHR core capacities. In this regard, the capacity of public health emergency management system of EPHI and Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs) will be built for early detection, confirmation and response to Public Health and Nutrition Emergencies and events of national or international concern. WHO is planning to recruitment and develop roster list of surge teams to be trained before deployment. The deployment will be demand based supporting the national or regional Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).
Description of Duties
Under the overall supervision of the WHO Representative and direct supervision of the Incident Manager/Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) team lead, the Epidemiologist/Public Health Specialist will support the investigation and response to emergency health and nutrition and events of national or international concern with the national or regional RRTs. The expert will specifically execute the following tasks:
- Provide leadership and guidance on technical matters related to early detection, verification, investigation and response to public health and nutrition incidents; ensuring efficiency of data collection, correlation, analysis, interpretation and timely reporting at health facility at the district levels.
- Support the verification of data on reported public health and nutrition emergency or rumours received from multiple sources, conduct retrospective analysis of reported incidents: determine trends, distribution patterns, and efficiency of the verification mechanism.
- Support emergency health and nutrition data quality improvement, use of data for monitoring of trends, alert and action thresholds (triggers)
- Support supervision, training and on-job mentorship in building the core surveillance (health and nutrition), alert and response capacities
- Support the early warning systems for public health and nutrition emergencies
- Support the preparation and dissemination of public health and nutrition emergencies news, technical documents, updates and assessments to key decision makers
- Initiate and/or support/strengthen scientific documentation of response efforts and activities in line with WHO global best practice.
- Produce regular and written feedback to FMOH/RHB/ ZHB and other response actors, and report to the WR.
- Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor and WR.
Required Qualification
Education
Essential: First degree in medicine (Medical Doctor) or Public Health or Nursing or any other related field with post graduate in epidemiology or public health from an accredited/recognized institution or organization;
Desirable: Advanced training in biostatistics and related field.
Verification of Education
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 these will be reviewed individually.
Experience
Essential: at least three years’ experience in areas of public health or epidemiology;
Desirable: Extensive experience in epidemiological surveillance and investigation with reportable diseases in the country. Experience working in disease outbreaks or health emergencies. Experience working with UN/WHO or other large international organizations would be an added advantage.
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English and fluency in the working language of the country
Skills
- Ability to work harmoniously as a member of WHE team, experience in the areas of emergency health and nutrition investigation/assessment and response
- Computer skills including statistical packages used for data management and analysis
Competencies
- Producing results
- Communicating in a credible way
- Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
- Respecting and promoting individuals and cultural differences
- Team work
Additional Information
- Type of contract-Special Service Agreement.
- Duration – For six months initially with possibility of extension.
- Duty Station – Addis Ababa and various Regions in the country, as needed.
- No of vacant posts: Multiple/Roster
- Annual remuneration: NOB step 1 as per UN salary scale which will be USD 2,111.42/month payable in ETB at the prevailing UN exchange rate.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. Please provide your cellphone number and valid e-mail address.
- Applicants within government employment and/or with outstanding obligations will not be considered unless a letter of release is produced.
- Long-listed candidates may be contacted to sit a written or presentation prior to final short-listing. Interviews will take place using a competency-based approach.
- Note that this is a national position, and only applications from nationals of ETHIOPIA will be accepted. Please REFRAIN from applying if you are not ETHIOPIAN NATIONAL.
More Information
- Job City Ethiopia
