National Professional Officer (HIV, TB and Hepatitis)

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. WHO works with countries to address health challenges and improve health systems, focusing on areas such as communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, health systems, and emergency response.

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer (HIV, TB and Hepatitis) position is crucial for supporting the Ministry of Health in Guinea-Bissau in addressing the challenges posed by HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and Hepatitis. The role involves acting as the focal point for the WHO Country Office, managing and coordinating efforts related to these diseases in collaboration with health sector counterparts, donors, and health partners. The officer will provide technical support for the development of national strategic and operational plans for TB and HIV, ensuring effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of interventions at both national and subnational levels. Additionally, the officer will work to enhance the integrated health information system, focusing on the generation and use of quality data related to TB and HIV. The position also entails participating in resource mobilization efforts and contributing to proposal development for funding opportunities such as the Global Fund and PEPFAR. The officer will assist in real-time monitoring of epidemiological trends and program progress, recommend program initiatives based on technical and policy analyses, and facilitate the adaptation and implementation of national programs in line with WHO guidance and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Health Sector, including the Ministry of Health, in strengthening national capacity and building partnerships for the control of HIV/AIDS and TB.
• Act as the focal person in the WHO Country Office to manage Hepatitis, TB, and HIV-related work through coordination with Health Sector (MOH) counterparts, donors, and health partners.
• Provide technical support in the development of TB and HIV national strategic and operational plans, including coordination, supervision of interventions, and monitoring and evaluation at both national and subnational levels.
• Improve the integrated health information system, focusing on increasing demand, generation, and use of quality data/information related to TB and HIV/TB.
• Participate in resource mobilization and contribute to proposal development and implementation, particularly for Global Fund grants and PEPFAR.
• Assist the Health Sector in ensuring real-time monitoring of epidemiological trends of TB and HIV and the progress of the response.
• Recommend program initiatives and priorities, including operational/implementation research, based on analysis of technical and policy problems identified during program implementation.
• Liaise with government counterparts to facilitate and support the adaptation and implementation of national TB and HIV programs in line with WHO normative guidance and international best practices.
• Assist in the interpretation and translation of relevant documents. 1
• Ensure a brokering role among main actors involved in the health sector and advise the WHO Representative for policy dialogue aimed at addressing bottlenecks limiting progress related to Hepatitis, TB, and HIV. 1
• Perform any other tasks assigned by supervisors or the Representative.

Required Qualifications:
Education: Essential - A university degree in a health-related science from a recognized institution. Desirable - A master's degree in communicable diseases, epidemiology, or public health and/or formal training in health research would be an asset. Experience: Essential - Minimum 2 years of national experience working in epidemiology, public health, or communicable diseases. Desirable - Experience in research, policy briefs, and data analysis would be an asset. Skills: Theoretical and practical knowledge of epidemiological methods, information systems, and biostatistics related to communicable diseases; proven expertise in preventive public health, epidemiological research, and communicable diseases; ability to design and develop project interventions; knowledge and skills in project planning, management, and evaluation, including resource mobilization and grant management; strong public health and strategic thinking background; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize, and provide recommendations on key political and technical issues; strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the organization.

Educational Background:
Essential: A university degree in a health-related science from a recognized institution. Desirable: A master's degree in communicable diseases, epidemiology, or public health and/or formal training in health research would be an asset.

Experience:
Essential: Minimum 2 years of national experience working in epidemiology, public health, or communicable diseases. Desirable: Experience in research, policy briefs, and data analysis would be an asset.

Languages:
Essential: Expert knowledge of Portuguese. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English and French.

Additional Notes:
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at XOF 21,352,000 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave. 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. Candidates selected for an interview will be required to provide a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited/recognized institutions. The Director-General retains discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy or to make an appointment at a lower grade. WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.