National Professional Officer

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO's actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying value of equity as described in the General Programme of Work. The 14th General Programme of Work defines the mission of WHO as one to promote health, to keep the world safe, and to protect the vulnerable. The GPW calls for heightened accountability, prioritizing impact and outcome at country level, and to improve the lives of three billion people, through universal health coverage, through addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations. In addition, the European Programme of Work 2 (EPW2) outlines the priorities for the WHO European Region, one of which is to maximize health security in the region by e.g. anticipating and preparing for health emergencies and by detecting and responding to health emergencies. This includes supporting countries to e.g. strengthen IHR core capacities, such as surveillance and laboratory capacities and to develop and implement national health security action plans and hazard specific plans such as pandemic preparedness plans.
WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.
The European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out.
The WHO Country Office supports the Member States to shape their health policy in line with WHO's principles and values and advocates for an integrated approach to health development. By means of a single, unified and functionally integrated country representation, WHO helps the country to improve its health system and provides technical support as necessary. The WHO Country Office administers, consolidates, manages and enhances WHO collaboration in the country including all resources deployed in the country either permanently or temporarily to maximize WHO impact. The Country Office also has a representation, fund-raising and resource steering function, as needed.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide technical support to the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan in the area of infectious hazard management, specifically in the areas of influenza prevention and control, pandemic influenza preparedness, surveillance and response to other high threat pathogens and laboratory system strengthening under the Better Labs for Better Health initiative. Specifically, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities and achieve the following objectives:
1) Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in strengthening the national systems to prevent and control influenza, and other respiratory viruses, whether seasonal, zoonotic or pandemic. This work is conducted under the aegis of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework and guided by the PIP High Level Implementation Plan 2024-2030 and includes:
a) Providing technical advice and support on improving the quality of systems for the surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses (epidemiological and virological surveillance);
b) Supporting activities related to strengthening seasonal influenza vaccination programmes
c) Supporting the continued implementation of guidelines and training programs for outbreak investigation and response and the clinical management of severe respiratory infections;
d) Supporting continuous updating and testing of the national influenza/respiratory pandemic preparedness plan and associated guidelines.
2) Support implementation of the national laboratory policy, strategy and action plans developed under the Better Labs for Better Health initiative:
a) Support the coordination of activities by the national Coordination Council on Laboratory including facilitation of working group sessions, meetings and trainings;
b) Provide input to further developments of the laboratory system as the system evolves
3) Provide input to advocacy products related to the described duties.
4) Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education Qualifications

Essential: First university degree in medicine, biological sciences or related area
Desirable: Post graduate degree in public health, epidemiology or laboratory science. Additional academic specialisation in communicable diseases, biological sciences or equivalent professional qualification.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of relevant work experience in communicable diseases prevention and control, including surveillance, and/or laboratory programmes/projects.
Desirable: Experience with working for WHO or other international organizations. Experience implementing laboratory quality management systems.

Skills

Knowledge of epidemiology
Knowledge of laboratory quality

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of Kyrgyz language. Expert knowledge of Russian.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 36,637 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
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.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.
The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
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.
Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
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