World Health Organization (WHO)

Position: IPC/WASH Officer - Special Service Agreement (SSA)

Job Type: Contract

Place of Work: Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Application Deadline: June, 23/2023 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall goal of WHO’s Outbreak and Health Emergencies (OHE) Programme is to minimize the health consequences of emergencies due to any biological, natural, technological or societal hazard. Collective and sound health emergency and disaster risk management is essential to health security, sustainable development and to building the resilience of communities, countries and health systems.

The objectives of WHO’s WHE Programme are: to help Member States build their capacity to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to minimise the impact on the health of affected populations. WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme directs all of the Organization’s work in health emergency risk management, with an all-hazards approach comprising risk reduction, preparedness, readiness, response and early recovery activities, and with a particular emphasis on the identification and mitigation of infectious hazards and risks.

The Programme is responsible for establishing and managing WHO’s operational capacity in acute and protracted emergencies, setting overall strategy and ensuring appropriate operational planning, managing field operations, developing and ensuring adherence to technical standards, and ensuring risk and performance monitoring. The Programme engages in relevant partnerships and inter-agency processes, recognizing that its impact should be optimized by coordinating, leveraging and facilitating the implementation roles of other local, national and international entities and partners best positioned to deliver the relevant clinical or other public health services. WHO’s OHE Programme integrates and operates under the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence in the serving

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The conflict in northern Ethiopia has created a massive complex humanitarian crisis. The health infrastructures have been looted and destroyed which impacted healthcare services delivery. The implementation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), as well as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) activities, have been compromised in the health facilities with no access to water, IPC/WASH supplies, and limited trained health workers on IPC and WASH. Amhara region is one of the affected regions by the conflict and needs to be supported to restore IPC and WASH services in the healthcare facilities and IDP sites.

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS), at the regional level, the incumbent will provide technical support to the regional health Bureau (RHB) and partners on organizational and operational aspects of a comprehensive Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and WASH programme activities, at the zonal, woreda/district level. S/he will manage IPC and WASH activities to ensure alignment with the WHO recommended standards for IPC are met. Ensure the accountability of the implementation of WHO IPC and WASH programme activities at the regional level throughout the full cycle of incident management. 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Supervised by the Team lead and under the overall guidance of the Incident Manager and Head of the WHO Country Office and working closely with regional counterparts, the incumbent will act as an IPC/WASH officer at the regional level. S/he will manage the IPC and WASH components of the incident management system, assessment, support the revision and update of the IPC measures and practices, and provide technical guidance to RHB and partners. S/he will establish and maintain good collaboration with partners, and synergize with the WHO staff, liaise with other units/teams within the regional office, across the organization and with partners for facilitating the development of a detailed work plan and budget for WHO operations. 

The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the approved activities and ensuring alignment of purpose between the national and the regional office on matters related to IPC and WASH. S/he will also be responsible for reporting, performance assessment and evaluation of the planned activities, monitoring the availability and flow of financial resources and ensuring proper communication with partners and as appropriate.

Under the direct supervision of the Team lead and the overall guidance of the Incident Manager, the incumbent shall:

Work in coordination with the incident management team to ensure IPC and WASH priorities and activities are managed effectively within the overall health emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities, in compliance with the national standard operating procedures and the WHO IPC guidelines.

Assess IPC and WASH capacities and practices in healthcare facilities and IDP sites. Identify action plans and priorities for improvement and prepare a written report according to WHO guidelines in collaboration with local RHB authorities and partners.

Provide technical recommendations to partners and key players to achieve improvement actions and monitor implementation.

According to local needs and requests, review the IPC measures implemented and advise on the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in healthcare settings.

Assess training needs, develop training plans and conduct IPC/WASH training for staff at zonal, woreda, and health facility levels.

Regularly report to the IPC team lead, and regional/field coordinator on activities, assessments and improvement plans and other IPC/WASH activities.

Conduct water quality tests, monitoring and surveillance activities in collaboration with RHB and partners.

Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme. 

Job requirements

Education

Essential:

First-level university degree in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, microbiology or epidemiology. Certified training in the area of IPC from an accredited/recognized institute*.

Desirable:

Master’s level degree in public health or related field.

Experience

Essential:

At least two years of experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating IPC and WASH policies, procedures and tools in low-resource settings, and outbreaks and or health emergency response.

Related experience in managing resources and working effectively in a multi-stakeholder environment including developing and promoting collaborative actions with regional authorities.  

Desirable:

Previous experience with WHO, in UN organizations/agencies, health cluster partners, humanitarian organizations or nongovernmental organizations.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

Proven knowledge and skills in infection prevention and control, and rapid assessment techniques.

Strong organizational and communication skills including ability to negotiate with National and international authorities and partners.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels.

Strong ability to execute and manage national health programme.

WHO Competencies

1. Producing results

2. Moving forward in a changing environment

3. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

4. Teamwork

5. Communications

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English, and the local language of the specific region.

Desirable: other UN language.

Other Skills (e.g. IT Skills)

Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position is applicable to NATIONALS only.  

Remuneration – this is a Special Service Agreement at NO-B Level for three months (3) with a monthly remuneration of $ 2,359.17

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test may be used as a form of screening.

If 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.

How to Apply

Register using this LINK