NPO (Surveillance and One Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The National Strategic Development Plan 2011 to 2030 states that for health, by 2030,Timor-Leste will have a healthier population as a result of comprehensive, high quality health services accessible to all Timorese people. In turn, this will have reduced poverty, raised income levels and improved national productivity. To achieve this vision, action is required in three key areas: health services delivery, human resources for health and health infrastructure. The National Health Sector Strategic Plan (2011-2030) is the first strategic plan to further develop the country's health sector. This plan maps the government's vision for a healthier nation. Responding to emerging and re-emerging diseases by strengthening health security at PoE is a component of health service delivery in the Strategic Plan. This will be achieved by establishing a port health programme with effective public health measures to prevent the international spread of disease and strengthening the capacity of health staff at PoE in line with the IHR. Laboratory services are essential for responding to emerging and re-emerging diseases, and the Strategic Plan also addresses laboratory processes for public health through strengthening data collection, analysis and reporting from private and public health laboratories as part of the surveillance system, and by building on the laboratory human resource capacity. Timor-Leste is a signatory to the IHR 2005. The purpose of the IHR is "to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks, and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade." The IHR requires States to strengthen core capacities in public health, which include Surveillance and response capacities at the primary, intermediate and national level, as well as at designated international ports, airports and ground crossings. To monitor compliance to the IHR, a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of IHR Core Capacities, was conducted in 2018. An international team of experts assessed Timor-Leste's implementation of the IHR across 19 technical areas and produced a list of priority action areas for Timor-Leste to strengthen its compliance with the IHR. AMR, national laboratory service, Surveillance and PoE were all technical areas identified as requiring further strengthening in Timor-Leste by the JEE team. The National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) was developed by the MOH and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in 2019, with support from WHO and other partners, as a roadmap to guide the implementation of the JEE recommendations in Timor-Leste from 2020 to 2024. During the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Timor-Leste has successfully managed the pandemic and minimize social and economic impacts. Meanwhile, it also reveals the importance of preparedness and resilience to public health emergencies as well as One Health approaches in dealing with these public health issues including antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and food safety. WHO has committed to provide technical and financial support to strengthen the preparedness and response to public health emergencies as well as using One Health approaches to address these public health problems such as zoonotic diseases, AMR and food safety etc. by working with different government departments and the whole society.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall supervision of the WHO Representative to Timor-Leste, technical guidance of MO-Epidemiology, and broad guidance of programme area managers of WHE/SEARO, the incumbent will work in collaboration with concerned staff in WCO Timor-Leste to strengthen the preparedness and response to public health emergencies and issues using One Health approaches in Timor-Leste. The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1. Provide technical strategic advice and programmatic support for implementation of priority activities of the National Action Plan for Health Security;

2. Support in overall monitoring of the project related activities including design, development, and implementation of data collection tools and information systems, focusing on Surveillance and rapid responses, reporting information system, laboratory testing, and One Health approaches on public health issues such as AMR, zoonotic diseases and food safety;

3. Oversee the budgetary expenses, approve float/advance request and deal with the finance team for financial updates and expenses;

4. Liaise with the MoH and other relevant stakeholders in Timor-Leste Lead initiatives to build and strengthen partnerships and multi-sectoral collaboration for public health emergency preparedness and response and capacity building at regional and country levels as well as resource mobilization approaches and strategies;

5. Coordinate the development of the draft reports for the donors on progress of the programme implementation including a summary of outputs and activities undertaken, achievements compared to the goals and objectives, and provisional financial reports;

6. Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree in public health or any significant health-related degree from a recognized university.
Desirable: An advanced degree in public health, health administration, project management or related field would be an asset.

Experience

Essential: Minimum of one year of working experience in a similar capacity.
Desirable: Experience of working with the Ministry of Health and or the UN System will be an asset. Good knowledge of WHO/UN administrative and financial rules, processes and procedures.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 20,092 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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.

• In the event that 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.

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• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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