Summary
Date Posted: Monday, May 02, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
WHO has established the emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) programme to help member states build their capacity to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are over whelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The programme is to support countries to enhance their all-hazards preparedness and to strengthen their IHR core capacities in prevention, preparedness, detection and early response to public health emergencies. The Zambia WHO Country Office EPR cluster is established for this purpose. Zambia has experienced four waves of COVID-19 pandemic with significant loss of lives and livelihoods and impact on the health and other sectors. The response needs have exerted immense pressure to the MOH, WHO and response partners, with significant fatigue among personnel. WHO has continued to play partners in support of the national response. With an uncertain COVIID-19 evolution, WHO Country Office (WCO) in Zambia plans to strengthen its workforce through recruitment of an epidemiologist to support routine programming and COVID-19 response with the aim of ensuring attainment of the WHO goal of protecting people from effects of health emergencies.
Post title: IPC specialist
Grade: Noa
Duty station: Lusaka
Duration: 6 months
Duties
Under the direct guidance of the WHO Country Representative, the IPC specialist will perform the following tasks
• Ensure IPC priorities and activities are managed effectively within the overall outbreaks and/or health emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities, in compliance with the national standards and the WHO IPC guidelines.
• Support assessment of IPC capacities and practices at health levels, in emergency units, hospitals and health care facilities,
• Identify action plans and priorities for improvement and prepare written reports in collaboration with local MOH authorities and partners.
• Provide technical recommendations to partners and key players to achieve improvement actions and monitor implementation
• Support review of the IPC measures implemented and advice on prevention of healthcare-associated infections in healthcare settings.
• Support assessment of training needs, development of training plans and conducting IPC training for staff at all levels
• Regularly report to the WCO Incident Manager and regional office on assessments and improvement plans and other IPC activities,
• Provide guidance on immediate IPC policies, resources, equipment and training needed for emergency units and healthcare facilities.
• Provide technical support to the MOH in documenting the response and health system restoration and strengthening activities, as and when required.
• Perform any other allocated duties as required by the Incident Manager or WHO Country Representative

Essential:
• University degree in medicine, public health, nursing, public health or any medical field
Additional professional training of diploma and above in IPC
Desirable
• Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in Medicine, Nursing epidemiology, public health, or Emergency Management

Experience
• Essential: Minimum 5 year practical experience, in the development, advocacy, planning
and implementation of IPC in case management, clinical care activities or infectious diseases in outbreak, disaster or humanitarian emergency.
Desirable:
• Working at national level o Working with international organizations, or international assignment experience

Skills and Knowledge
• Knowledge and expertise in infection prevention and control in health care settings and the community
• Familiarity with the strengths and limitations of infection prevention and control programs regarding associated infections to health care
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners
• Proven ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners
• Proven ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics.
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural environment with tact and diplomacy
• Knowledge of WHO, the UN System or NGO work in the field of response relief and/or of their practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control
Language Requirement
• Excellent spoken and written English (essential)

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
Applications accompanied by Curriculum Vitae detailing previous work experience and copies of certificates, diplomas and testimonials should be emailed to afwcozmregistry@who.int
Deadline for receiving applications will be 07 May 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will have their applications acknowledged.
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