Short Information:
- Organization: WHO
- Location: USA
- Job Type: Full Time
- Job Title: Director, Communicable Diseases Prevention, Control and Elimination (CDE)
- Close on: 12 Apr 2023
About Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It was founded on April 7, 1948, with the goal of promoting health, preventing diseases, and improving healthcare systems worldwide.
WHO’s primary functions include setting global health standards, promoting research and information sharing, providing technical assistance to countries, coordinating international responses to disease outbreaks and emergencies, and providing leadership and advocacy on critical public health issues.
WHO is composed of 194 member states and is governed by the World Health Assembly, which meets annually to set policies and approve budgets. The organization is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has six regional offices around the world.
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WHO has played a critical role in global health initiatives, including the eradication of smallpox and the control of polio, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. It has also been instrumental in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing guidance on prevention and treatment, coordinating research efforts, and supporting vaccine distribution.
About UN Jobs in USA-Director, Communicable Diseases Prevention, Control and Elimination (CDE)
The Communicable Diseases Prevention, Control, and Elimination (CDE) Department promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities that are technically sound and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented, with a focus on the surveillance, prevention, control, elimination, and/or reduction of communicable diseases and zoonosis. By offering normative direction, advancing the application of evidence-based interventions, fostering alliances that strengthen country capacity, enhancing the efficacy of international collaboration, and facilitating policy and decision-making processes, it seeks to have a sustainable impact on health.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The incumbent is accountable for, but not exclusively for, the following designated tasks under the general supervision of the Director (D) and the direct supervision of the Assistant Director (AD):
- Provide technical, policy, strategic and programmatic advice for the implementation of the Organization’s technical cooperation program of work related to Communicable Diseases; Zoonosis; Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control; Communicable Diseases’ Risk Factors and Food Safety
- Advise Member States in identifying and implementing effective interventions aimed at the prevention, surveillance, control, and elimination of communicable diseases including, but not limited to, neglected tropical diseases such as onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis; vector-borne diseases such as malaria, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, dengue, chikungunya; zoonosis such as rabies and leptospirosis; foodborne diseases such as those caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites; HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections, while promoting the use of relevant global, regional and national health promotion programs and evidenced-based policies
- Mobilize financial and technical resources and actively promote networking and the building of synergistic partnerships in support of the work of the Department
- Advocate, both internally and externally, for communicable diseases to be maintained as a key priority on the regional and national political and development agenda
- Lead and coordinate with different departments and partners on PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative, an innovative, strategic interprogrammatic initiative to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030
- Provide technical cooperation to Member States to reduce the risks caused by food transmitted diseases taking into account all stages of the food chain, from production to consumption, and ensure the fundamental pillars of a system of food safety are implemented including legislation, inspection, monitoring, diagnostic laboratories and education communication
- Stimulate pertinent research and disseminate appropriate and relevant scientific, technical, and policy information, sharing experiences of successful practices from other countries in prevention, surveillance, control, and elimination of communicable diseases, zoonosis, and risk factors
- Identify and mobilize financial resources including multi-year predictable grants to support program implementation, in collaboration with other Departments of the Organization and partners
- Develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the Department in line with programmatic priorities and in accordance with Governing Bodies’ mandates; ensure that the strategies and objectives are aligned with the Organization’s mission, vision, values, policies, strategies, business needs and priorities in order to ensure continuing operations and maximize results; ensure that results and products delivered are aligned with the Organizational Strategy and make significant contributions for the achievement of the expected results and strategic objectives; report to Governing Bodies, through executive presentations and reports, on the status or results of the program of work
- Identify, promote, establish, maintain, and coordinate liaison across the Organization, within WHO, with other United Nations organizations, the Inter-American System and with other partners including donor agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and civil society in order to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness
- Administer, allocate and monitor the Department’s financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the program and budget proposals included in the Biennial Work Plans and contribute substantially to the respective indicators in the Strategic Plan
- Provide intellectual leadership to guide and mentor staff and motivate teams in a multicultural environment in order to ensure maximal responsiveness, high productivity and effective results; define the department’s personnel component including the departmental structure, competencies and terms of reference; initiate and recommend approval of personnel actions for all of the department’s staff and ensure guidance and monitoring of staff through setting of clear work objectives, use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts. Monitor workloads to ensure equitable distribution of work and maintain job satisfaction, efficiency and output and follow up on any deviation of work results from objectives
- Promote a culture of ethical behavior and integrity in accordance with the Organization’s Code of Ethical Principles and Conduct in order to ensure a culture of respect, responsibility, accountability and compliance
- Provide a stable managerial framework that demonstrates credibility, trust and value to Member States, clients and humanitarian and other donors, while optimizing staff performance; provide advice, when called upon, to institutions of Member States in the area of expertise
- Direct and participate in the development of policies and their implementation and provide authoritative advice in relation to policy and procedures under the areas of responsibility
- Perform other related duties, as assigned
UN Jobs in USA-Director, Communicable Diseases Prevention, Control and Elimination (CDE) Requirments
Education:
- a master’s degree from a reputable institution in public health, epidemiology, or another area related to the duties of the position, as well as a university degree in a health or social science.
Experience:
- 15 years of experience in increasingly difficult managerial roles in the management of communicable diseases, including the development and evaluation of policies and programs for the prevention and control of communicable diseases as well as the use of epidemiological methods for disease surveillance and the planning and evaluation of public health programs.
Languages:
- Working knowledge of the other language and very good knowledge of either English or Spanish. Portuguese and/or French language proficiency would be advantageous.
IT Skills:
Use of spreadsheets, presentations, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and management information systems with proficiency in modern software and technology. Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word knowledge, in addition to other IT abilities, are seen as being crucial.
How to Apply?
- Review job descriptions: Read the job description carefully to ensure that you meet the qualifications and experience required for the job.
- Prepare your application: Prepare your application, including your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) and a cover letter. Be sure to highlight your relevant skills and experience.
- Submit your application: Submit your application online through the WHO Careers website. You will need to create an account and upload your documents. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline.
- Wait for a response: You may receive a confirmation email once your application has been received. The hiring process can take several weeks or months, so be patient and wait for a response from WHO.
It’s also worth noting that WHO often has internship and volunteer opportunities available, which can be a great way to gain experience and learn more about the organization. You can find information on these opportunities on the WHO Careers website as well.