Overview
- Position: Technical Officer (Infection Prevention & Control & Clinical Readiness) – (2107015)
- Grade: P4
- Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
- Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 6 months
- Job Posting : Jan 14, 2022, 4:12:06 PM
- Closing Date : Feb 1, 2022, 4:44:00 AM
- Primary Location : Nepal-Kathmandu
- Organization : SE_NEP WR Office, Nepal
- Schedule : Full-time
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The objective of the WHO Nepal Country Office is to implement the Country Cooperation Strategy by supporting the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Government of Nepal (GoN) in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national health policies, strategies and plans and developing and managing WHO’s technical cooperation programmes at the country level. The Country Office collaborates with the Government of Nepal and relevant stakeholders in support of their efforts of achieving national health goals; of ensuring the attainment of universal health coverage and of contributing to global and regional public health action by providing need-based technical assistance in national level policy formulation, setting norms and standards, improving knowledge dissemination and management, monitoring country health situation and building sustainable institutional capacity, to play a greater leadership role in different national level policy technical forums.The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) supports the MoHP, GoN to direct and coordinate and rapid provision of life-saving emergency health interventions at scale in the aftermath of multi-hazard emergencies and disasters and subsequently assists in the rapid recovery of the health system in collaboration with national and international partners. Thereupon it provides technical support to the MoHP and partners to enhance health sector emergency risk management through prevention risk reduction or mitigation; preparedness and response readiness to build a health system that is resilient to multi-hazard disasters including public health emergencies.
The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Program is to help countries, and to coordinator international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.The objectives of the Country IPC & Clinical Readiness for COVID-19 of the WHE Programme include the monitoring and evaluation of countries’ preparedness for management of infectious hazard emergencies, the planning and country capacity building for critical functions related to IPC and CR as the Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005). An all-hazards approach that involves all three levels of the organization and prioritizes support to the most vulnerable jurisdiction of the country to ensure health security is key to achieving the objectives.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader WHE Programme / Incident Manager (IM) for COVID-19 response and WHO Representative-Nepal and in close coordination with Deputy Incident Manager for COVID-19 response, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
- Lead the development of Infection Prevention, Control (IPC) and with Clinical Readiness (CR) core components for preparedness, response and recovery to COVID- 19 and other infectious hazard emergencies.
- Provide technical guidance to national infection prevention and control and Clinical Readiness program to manage and contain the COVID-19 and other infectious hazard emergencies.
- Provide technical guidance to the national IPC & CR program on reducing healthcare associated infection, ensuring that IPC & CR priorities and activities are managed effectively in compliance with WHO IPC & CR guidelines for COVID-19 related work.
- Provide guidance and technical advice for the prevention of the spread of severe emerging infectious diseases through development, dissemination and evaluation of guidelines and implementation strategies using lessons from COVID-19 emergency.
- Ensure restoration of safe basic health service care continuity including rehabilitation and implementation of the minimum IPC measures at designated COVID-19 health facilities and other health facilities providing critical essential services.
- Assess training needs, develop training materials and conduct and/or supervise IPC & CR training for staff at priority hospitals and health facilities with comprehensive review of IPC measures and CR guidance aligned with WHO guidance.
- Review the IPC measures implemented in the affected areas and advise on prevention of healthcare associated infections. Co-develop and outline the implementation of a national IPC strategy and surveillance of healthcare associated infections and measures pertaining to enhancement of Standard Precautions and specialized IPC.
- Support the prioritized hospitals and health care facilities to develop and implement action plans based on assessment of IPC and CR status and emergency medical deployment teams in instituting appropriate measures and where needed the development and endorsement of telehealth services.
- Report to all relevant stakeholders on findings, and activities, and advise on effective and feasible IPC and CR activities in areas affected by the COVID-19 and other infectious hazards.
- Ensure close coordination between IPC and CR and other pillars of the COVID-19 response IMS, especially the operations support and logistics.
- When applicable, contribute to coordination of meetings with MoHP and partners/EMTs.
- Perform any additional duties and discharge any additional responsibilities assigned by the Team Leader – WHE or the WR as needed.
- Submit an end of assignment report (mandatory).
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: Advanced University degree in Medicine or health services field, depending on the context of the emergency e.g. emergency medicine, trauma care, surgery, toxicology, infectious diseases, tropical medicine, from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Doctoral degree in Public Health, Infectious Diseases. health systems, hospital management, training & education, and/or other related area.
Experience
Essential: At least seven years’ practical experience in the development, advocacy, planning, implementation of case management, clinical care activities/infectious diseases/IPC measures in outbreak, disaster or humanitarian emergency. Demonstrated exposure at the international level.
Desirable: Previous experience with WHO, other UN agencies, Emergency Medical Teams, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or nongovernmental organizations is desirable.
Skills
- Proven knowledge and skills in Infection Prevention and Control, Clinical Readiness, Health Facility
- Preparedness and Rapid Assessment techniques. Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-limited contexts;
- Proven ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics.
- Strong managerial, monitoring, evaluation, organizational skills including ability to negotiate with national and international authorities and partners.
- Technical expertise: Overall attitude at work are also required mandatory competencies.
WHO Competencies
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
- Ensuring the effective use of resources
- Producing results
- Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Use of Language Skills
- Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
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 74,913 (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 1904 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 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.
- 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.
- For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- 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.
- 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.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.
Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
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