National Professional Officer (Communicable Diseases)

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Position Title: National Professional Officer (Communicable Diseases)
Location: Baghdad
Country: Iraq
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

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 focuses on a wide range of health issues, including communicable and noncommunicable diseases, health systems strengthening, and emergency response.

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer (Communicable Diseases) will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Public Health Officer and/or the head of the WHO country office. The incumbent is expected to manage and coordinate expertise to provide technical advice on developing sustainable, multi-sectoral national strategies, policies, and interventions aimed at improving health systems and capacity building in the area of communicable and noncommunicable diseases (C-NCD) control. The role involves establishing innovative action plans for high-risk groups, ensuring the adoption of norms and standards for disease control projects, and managing operational aspects of research and health surveys. The officer will also analyze data related to disease outbreaks, monitor the national burden of diseases, and act as a technical advisor to the public on communicable diseases, leveraging knowledge of the national context to establish community outreach activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform a variety of duties including:

• Providing technical advice on the development of national strategies and policies for communicable and noncommunicable disease control.
• Coordinating the implementation of disease control projects and ensuring the procurement of safe and effective medicines.
• Analyzing and evaluating data related to communicable diseases and outbreaks, providing recommendations for response measures.
• Monitoring progress towards universal health coverage and enhancing health information systems.
• Acting as a technical advisor to the public and facilitating community outreach activities.
• Advocating for partnerships and mobilizing resources for disease prevention and control initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's level) in a relevant field such as medicine, public health, epidemiology, or statistics. A PhD in public health or a related medical field is desirable. Additionally, training or specialization in communicable and noncommunicable diseases is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate professional experience providing technical advice to national health ministries and partners on communicable disease issues.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (master's level) in a relevant field, with a preference for candidates holding a PhD in public health or related fields. Specialized training in communicable diseases is also desirable.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of seven years of relevant work experience in communicable and noncommunicable diseases, focusing on disease investigation, surveillance, and control. Experience in developing strategies and action plans for capacity building and disease prevention programs is essential, with some experience in an international environment being preferred. Demonstrated experience providing technical advice to national counterparts and health ministries is also required.

Languages:
Essential languages for this position include expert knowledge of English and Arabic. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role, meaning only applications from nationals of Iraq will be accepted. The remuneration for this position starts at an annual base salary of USD 66,001, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. The position offers 30 days of annual leave. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented Member States. Candidates may be required to undergo a written test or video assessment as part of the selection process. The WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of tobacco.