Monday, September 17, 2018

Technical Officer (Infection prevention and control), Geneva WHO - World Health Organization Closing date: Thursday, 4 October 2018



Technical Officer 
(Infection prevention and control), 
Geneva  
WHO - World Health Organization 
Closing date: Thursday, 4 October 2018

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Technical Officer (Infection prevention and control) - (1804007)  
Grade: P4
Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract duration: one year
: 

Job Posting

: Sep 14, 2018, 10:14:14 AM

Closing Date

: Oct 5, 2018, 5:59:00 PM

Primary Location

: Switzerland-Geneva

Organization

: HQ/SDS Service Delivery and Safety

Schedule

: Full-time  
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Universal Health Coverage - Health Systems (UHC-HS) cluster mission includes fostering innovation for better health and supporting Member States to promote UHC by strengthening health systems. The approach is to engage in policy dialogue, informed by best evidence and systematic learning, with supporting capacity strengthening with the aim to improve equity in health, access, coverage, quality and efficiency of health services. The mission of the Service Delivery and Safety (SDS) Department is to develop models, strategies and guidance to support countries in all parts of the world to improve the quality, safety, integration and responsiveness of health services' delivery, with a particular focus on primary health care and in the context of WHO's priorities for Universal Health Coverage, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and health emergencies. In October 2015 a new infection prevention and control (IPC) global unit was established within the SDS department in order to provide leadership and comprehensive technical expertise on IPC in health care and to strengthen the support provided to Member States. The technical areas of work span the epidemiological burden of HAIs, implementation and monitoring of the WHO of best practices for hand hygiene, other standard precautions and transmission-based precautions, the prevention of infections associated with invasive devices and procedures, and IPC measures embedded in clinical services such as neonatal and maternal services. The unit also leads the technical work on IPC to reduce the spread of AMR in health care in coordination with the AMR secretariat and coordinates the work on sepsis prevention, diagnosis and clinical management.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In close collaboration with the IPC global unit coordinator and other team members, the focus of the incumbent's work is to contribute to the strategic thinking and implementation for the IPC global unit work and to timely delivery high-quality technical products. The incumbent will also be the focal point for developing implementation and dissemination strategies and tools in collaboration with the above-mentioned entities. The specific terms of reference for this position are:
- Provide technical expertise for the development of innovative IPC guidelines and implementation strategies and tools, including in the context of AMR and health emergencies;
- Provide technical expertise on IPC technical enquiries and requests for technical input by other departments, regional and country offices, partners and stakeholders;
- Provide technical expertise for development and implementation of research activities in the context of the IPC global unit areas of work;
- Support the development and activities of the Private Organizations for Patient Safety to support the work of WHO to improve hand hygiene and injection safety, in particular by enhancing the availability and accessibility of hand hygiene products and safety engineered injection devices globally;
- Provide technical support to countries, health care facilities and key stakeholders to build and strengthen national and local plans, capacity and infrastructure for IPC and AMR prevention;
- Provide technical contribution in support to the programme manager to disseminate the IPC global unit technical products and to strengthen collaborations with focal points in regional and country WHO offices, other relevant WHO units (at HQ, regional, sub-regional and country levels), WHO Collaborating Centers, in-country and international stakeholders, international experts in the field of IPC, including the Steering Group and the Global IPC Network;
- Develop communications strategies of the IPC global unit to ensure that WHO IPC approaches and products are appropriately promoted and that IPC is promoted as a health priority for Member States;
- Provide technical guidance to the IPC global unit coordinator in his/her role and activities to ensure leadership, coordination and high-quality technical results according to the unit functions and work plans;
- Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree (masters level or above) in Medicine, Medical Sciences or Nursing with specialization in IPC, hygiene, or infectious diseases.
Desirable: Postgraduate qualifications in epidemiology and/or clinical research.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of seven years of progressive responsibilities and experience in the field of IPC at the national / international level, including involvement in research activities and field experience in IPC practices implementation in low and middle-income countries. Demonstrated experience in interacting with international key players and partners in the field of IPC. Experience of IPC monitoring and data interpretation and of development of IPC intervention plans. Demonstrated experience in writing in publishing IPC publications and scientific articles.
Desirable: Experience in epidemiological and clinical research in the field of IPC. Experience in data management and analysis. Experience in communications including use of social media.

Skills

Advanced expertise in IPC, including in the technical areas of work of the IPC global unit and in particular knowledge of and technical expertise with developing and assessing IPC programmes at national and facility level using multimodal strategies, including in LMIC. Substantial knowledge of how IPC programmes contribute to tackling AMR and are critical components of quality assurance in healthcare and patient safety. Knowledge of application of IPC in outbreak preparedness and response settings. Sense of responsibility, coordination skills, good interpersonal and communication skills, including in writing, and ability to function in a rapidly changing environment. Excellent scientific writing skills. Excellent scientific writing skills demonstrated by leading role in IPC publications/reports and scientific articles.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other UN languages (ie Arabic, Chinese, Russian and/or Spanish).

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 71,332 (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 4244 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.
  • WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
  • 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.