WHO Surveillance 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. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. WHO aims to achieve universal health coverage, protect people from health emergencies, and ensure that everyone can enjoy better health and well-being.

Job Overview:
The WHO Surveillance Officer will play a critical role in strengthening the epidemiological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases in Guinea-Bissau, particularly in the context of the current outbreak of mpox. The officer will be responsible for field activities related to epidemiological surveillance, including the monitoring of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), measles, rubella, neonatal tetanus, and other priority diseases. The position requires close collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, regional health directorates, primary health care professionals, and various partners such as UNICEF and Gavi. The officer will be based in any of the regions of Guinea-Bissau and will frequently travel to other health regions as needed, depending on programmatic and epidemiological requirements. The role is essential for ensuring effective disease detection, notification, and investigation of suspected cases, thereby contributing to the overall public health response in the country.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Epidemiological Surveillance Area: Support the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases, including AFP, measles, rubella, and neonatal tetanus. Provide technical support to health regions and units to prioritize sentinel surveillance sites, categorize them by priority, and engage informal community sources. Conduct active case searches and ensure compliance with recommended visit frequencies. Train health technicians and focal points in surveillance activities. Advocate with regional health authorities to enhance local commitment and participation in community surveillance activities. Assist in the active research, identification, and notification of mpox cases, including training clinicians on relevant epidemiological aspects. Share monthly work plans and activity reports with the Ministry of Public Health and other stakeholders. Contribute to the collection, validation, analysis, and utilization of epidemiological data for decision-making and intervention strategies. Monitor performance indicators of epidemiological surveillance and produce regular technical reports on progress and challenges.
• Immunization Area: Collaborate with the regional immunization team to provide technical support for adapting and developing microplans for immunization and outbreak response. Monitor the correct use of monitoring tools and vaccine stock levels to prevent shortages. Support the planning and distribution of vaccines and immunization materials. Perform any other tasks related to the position as requested by the supervisor. This technical support is crucial for enhancing national capacity for prevention, early detection, and response to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases and achieving national and global immunization and public health goals.

Required Qualifications:
Essential: A degree in Health Sciences, Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Environmental Health, or a related field obtained from a recognized institution. Desirable: Training in epidemiological surveillance and/or vaccination will be an advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a degree in Health Sciences, Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Environmental Health, or a related field from an accredited institution. Additional training in epidemiological surveillance or vaccination is preferred and will enhance a candidate's profile.

Experience:
Essential: A minimum of 1 year of relevant experience in epidemiological surveillance of notifiable diseases and/or in providing vaccination services at the sectoral, regional, or national level. Field experience in case-based surveillance and outbreak response activities at the subnational level will be considered an advantage. Desirable: Experience in responding to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, measles, yellow fever, and other public health emergencies. Experience working with WHO or another agency of the United Nations system is also desirable.

Languages:
Essential: Excellent command of the Portuguese language. Desirable: Knowledge of French and/or English will be considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The WHO offers an attractive remuneration package for this position, including a monthly salary of XOF 1,551,000 and 30 days of annual leave. The recruitment process may begin before the end of the publication period due to the emergency situation. This job announcement may be used to fill other similar positions at the same level. Only candidates selected for the next phase of the process will be contacted. A written test and/or asynchronous video assessment may be part of the selection process. Candidates selected for interviews must present scanned copies of the required diplomas and certificates. The WHO only recognizes qualifications obtained from accredited institutions listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The organization promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment, free from discrimination based on disability, gender, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religion, culture, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals from underrepresented Member States are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the recruitment process. The WHO maintains a tobacco-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any tobacco products. For more information about the WHO, please visit their website.