Epidemiologist

Vacancy Notice No: EURO/13/FT482 Title: Epidemiologist Grade: P2 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  One year's duration (*please see under additional information below)	Date: 6 November 2013 Application Deadline: 10 December 2013 (3 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Copenhagen, Denmark   Organization unit: EURO Europe Regional Office (EU/RGO) / EU/DCE Communicable Diseases, Health Security & Environment (EU/DCE) TB and Multidrug and extensively drug-resistant TB (TBM)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To support European Health 2020 policy development and implementation in general, and in particular the attainment of Millenium Development Goal 6 Targets 6 and 7. To provide support to the Member State in strengthening the National TB programme, aiming at improving capacity for prevention, control and surveillance in line with Consolidated Action Plan to Prevent and Combat M/XDR-TB in WHO European Region 2011-2015. The objectives of the WHO Europe TB and M/XDR-TB control programme are: - To guide the European Region response to the TB epidemic (with focus on prevention and control of drug resistant tuberculosis, TB/HIV co-infection, TB infection control, TB in prisons and TB in special populations, strengthening human resources of health, diagnostic services and retooling) and with particular attention to high MDR-TB burden and 18 high TB priority countries. - To provide state-of-the-art and context-specific technical assistance to the Member States on TB and M/XDR-TB prevention, control and care. - To provide evidence-based TB and M/XDR-TB control policies, guidelines and standards. - To support the Member States in adapting Stop TB Strategy, within the context of strengthening health systems and patient-centred approaches. - To foster bilateral, multilateral and multisectoral collaboration and partnership in TB and M/XDR-TB control. - To assist the Member States in monitoring and evaluation of national TB and M/XDR-TB control programmes. - To promote and enable TB and M/XDR-TB research within a wider health research strategy. - To improve TB and M/XDR-TB surveillance data management and decision making based on data analysis. - To enhance advocacy, communication and social mobilization for improved TB and M/XDR-TB control.
Description of duties: Under the supervision of WHO/Europe TBM programme manager, the successful incumbent will: 1) Analyze epidemiologic data including trends in TB, M/XDR-TB and TB/HIV rates and prepare annual reports of the monitoring framework of the Consolidated Action Plan to Prevent and Combat M/XDR-TB in WHO European Region. 2) Assist programme manager in designing and implementing the WHO-supported operational research activities for prevention, treatment, care, childhood TB, drug and supply management and health systems strengthening for TB and M/XDR-TB. 3) Assist TBM programme manager in developing strategic standards and guidelines for TBM related operational research activities. 4) Organize national and regional operational research training workshops and meetings. 5) Prepare regular technical reports and scholarly publications on the progress and implementation of assigned projects. 6) Perform other relevant duties as required by TBM programme manager.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: University degree in public health and/or epidemiology. Desirable: Post graduate training in health systems, TB and other health areas.
Skills:  Functional skills required: The incumbent has a proven record of epidemiological research and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Demonstrated ability to facilitate training courses/workshops in operational research. Proficiency in working with standard statistical analyses software such as STATA, SPSS, SAS or EpiData. Ability to manage protocol development, ethics board reviews and data safety monitoring. Sound knowledge of TB and M/XDR-TB and TB/HIV prevention, control and care, epidemiology, surveillance and operational research in the WHO European Region. Knowledge of WHO current issues and research focal areas for health systems strengthening in the high-priority countries. Competencies required: 1) Producing results - Produces and delivers quality results. Is action oriented and committed to achieving outcomes. 2) Communicating in a credible and effective way - Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others; listens actively. Produces effective written communications. Ensures that information is shared. 3) Moving forward in a changing environment - The incumbent is open to and proposes new approaches and ideas. Adapts and responds positively to changes. 4) Fostering integration and teamwork - The incumbent develops and promotes effective relationships with colleagues and team members. Deals constructively with conflicts. Ability to work with officials and scientists at national and international levels. Ability to establish effective working relationships with colleagues at WHO and other agencies. Ability to develop effective working relationships with officials and scientists in a variety of settings and cultures. 5) Ensuring the effective use of resources - The incumbent identifies priorities in accordance with WHO strategic directions. Develops and implements action plans, organizes the necessary resources and monitors outcomes.
Experience: Essential: At least five years hands-on work experience in epidemiological research and experience with publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. At least two years experience in teaching and facilitation of courses/workshops related to epidemiology and operational research. Experience with operational field research, capacity building and intersectoral collaboration. Desirable: Experience in working in former Soviet Union countries or with counterparts in the former Soviet Union. Experience in addressing challenges in the high TB priority countries of the WHO European Region including childhood TB. Experience in working with WHO or other UN agency is an asset.
Languages: Essential: Excellent spoken and fluency in written English and working knowledge of another WHO and/or EURO official language. Desirable: Knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.
Additional Information: * Any extension of appointment is subject to a) satisfactory performance, b) continued need for the function, and c) availability of funds. Similar positions at the same grade may be filled using this vacancy notice. Long-listed candidates may be contacted to sit a written test or presentation prior to final short-listing. This does not preclude a written test or presentation prior to final interview. Interviews will take place using a competency-based approach.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 46,730 at single rate USD 49,821 with primary dependants
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All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
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Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.