National Professional Officer

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. With over 7,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, WHO works to combat diseases, improve health systems, and respond to health emergencies. The organization is committed to achieving universal health coverage and ensuring that all people can access quality health services without facing financial hardship.

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer position within the WHO Health Emergencies Programme is crucial for advising on the development and implementation of national strategies aimed at preventing and controlling high-threat diseases with pandemic and epidemic potential. The role involves evaluating these strategies and ensuring compliance with global health policies. The officer will monitor outbreaks, work with partners to enhance epidemic control methods, and contribute to the surveillance and risk analysis of infectious diseases. This position requires a proactive approach to risk communication and collaboration with various technical teams to provide comprehensive health interventions. The officer will also represent the Country Office in official meetings and perform related duties as assigned, making this role integral to the health emergency response framework.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advise on the development, implementation, and evaluation of national strategies and workplans for the prevention and control of high-threat diseases.
• Monitor early prevention, detection, verification, assessment, and investigation of outbreak risks.
• Collaborate with partners to improve epidemic control methods.
• Conduct periodic reporting of infectious hazard activities and support integration with national health information systems.
• Contribute to surveillance and risk analysis of infectious diseases.
• Participate in rapid response teams for alert investigations and early detection.
• Ensure risk communication messages are technically sound and culturally appropriate.
• Provide guidance on actions to prevent and control excess morbidity and mortality.
• Collaborate with technical teams on vaccination, surveillance, infection control, sanitation, and medical supply prepositioning. 1
• Activate technical expert networks for pathogen characterization in case of unknown infections. 1
• Represent the Country Office at official meetings. 1
• Perform any other related duties as required by the functional supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a university degree in medicine, public health, or a health-related field from an accredited institution. Desirable qualifications include a master's degree or higher and specialized training in epidemiology or infectious diseases. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of infectious diseases and the ability to coordinate health emergency projects, build partnerships, and formulate strategies. Organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure are also essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in medicine, public health, or a related health field from an accredited institution. A master's degree or higher, along with specialized training in epidemiology or infectious diseases, is desirable and will enhance the candidate's profile.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least one year of professional experience in planning, developing, and implementing infectious disease control and prevention programs, including outbreak management and infectious hazard management. Experience working with WHO, other UN agencies, or relevant NGOs is considered an asset and is desirable for this position.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of Portuguese is essential for this role. Intermediate knowledge of English and French is desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role, meaning only applications from nationals of Guinea-Bissau will be accepted. The remuneration package includes an annual base salary starting at XOF 18,614,000, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. The position offers 30 days of annual leave. Candidates should be aware that a written test or video assessment may be part of the selection process, and they must provide scanned copies of required educational qualifications if shortlisted for an interview. WHO emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented Member States. The organization maintains a smoke-free environment and has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse.