Vacancy Announcement from World Health organization
Roster for Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Officer – (2500471)
Grade: No grade
Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): The duration of the contract will depend on the needs of the functions.
Closing Date: Feb 11, 2025, 4:44:00 AM
Primary Location: Nepal-Kathmandu
Organization: SE_NEP WR Office, Nepal
Schedule: Full-time
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.
Objective of the Programme:
The objective of the WHO Nepal Country Office is to implement the Country Cooperation Strategy by supporting the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Government of Nepal (GoN) in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national health policies, strategies and plans and developing and managing WHO’s technical cooperation programmes at the country level. The Country Office collaborates with the Government of Nepal and relevant stakeholders in support of their efforts of achieving national health goals; ensuring the attainment of universal health coverage and of contributing to global and regional public health action by providing need-based technical assistance in national level policy formulation, setting norms and standards, improving knowledge dissemination and management, monitoring country health situation and building sustainable institutional capacity, to play a greater leadership role in different national-level policy technical forums. WHO provides guidance and technical support in organizing the humanitarian health response following multi-hazard emergencies and in revitalizing the capacity of the health sector to recover and rebuild from emergencies in appropriate and sustainable ways. In the inter-emergency period the objectives are to increase the capacity and resilience of the Nepal Health System to reduce risk, prevent and prepare for disasters, to mitigate adverse health consequences, through supporting the Emergency Risk Management interventions prioritized in the national plan for the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030); and the health security interventions for enhancement of core capacities required to comply with the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 as prioritized in the National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS), National Action Plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance (NAP-AMR) and National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NPPRP).WHO strives to integrate and harmonize the actions undertaken for enhanced ERM and Health Security with the interventions implemented to achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and health systems strengthening through appropriate capacity building and co-ordination mechanisms and partnerships. The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) supports the MoHP, GoN to direct and coordinate the rapid provision of life-saving emergency health interventions at scale in the aftermath of multi-hazard emergencies and disasters and subsequently assists in the rapid recovery of the health system in collaboration with national and international partners. Thereupon it provides technical support to the MoHP and partners to enhance health sector emergency risk management through prevention risk reduction or mitigation; preparedness and response readiness to build a health system that is resilient to multi-hazard disasters including public health emergencies.
Summary of Assigned Duties:
Terms of Reference
Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative, Incident Manager, WHO Incident Management System/Team Lead (WHE); direct supervision of National Professional Officer (Infectious Hazard Management) and in coordination with other teams within WHO Country Office, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
- Provide technical support to align the country’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) targets with the WHO guiding principles outlined in the Global Strategy for IPC (GSIPC). These principles emphasize a people-centered approach, prioritizing healthcare worker protection, patient safety, compassionate care, and the essential role of IPC in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and strengthening preparedness, readiness, and response to disease outbreaks.
- Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of national and sub-national IPC policies, technical standards, guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and action plans. Ensure alignment with national strategies, policies, plan, and roadmaps.
- Provide technical support for the development, endorsement, and implementation of the National IPC strategy. This includes delivering orientation and capacity-building activities, as well as implementing national and subnational surveillance guidance for Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI).
- Facilitate the establishment of mechanisms to collect feedback from hospitals and healthcare professionals regarding their needs for materials and activities aimed at improving IPC practices. Strengthen coordination among government counterparts, frontline health workers, and clinical experts to enhance collaboration and effectiveness.
- Support the development, design, and implementation of IPC training programs aimed at preventing healthcare-associated infections, including those caused by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and high-threat pathogens (HTPs). This includes reviewing and leveraging existing IPC materials and toolkits from WHO and other relevant global guidance to ensure effectiveness and consistency. Additionally, strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers in IPC by delivering essential knowledge and practices.
- Assist in the development of technical resources for IPC in an infectious disease setting, including relevant visuals, PowerPoint slide decks with talking points, a collection of case study materials, and knowledge assessment resources, as needed.
- Ensure effective coordination between IPC efforts, clinical readiness initiatives, and other activities related to emerging infectious diseases.
- Contribute to the development of country project proposals for IPC-related activities in collaboration with the WHE team members, ensuring alignment with broader program objectives.
- Support the implementation of IPC-related programs by coordinating with relevant stakeholders and enhancing IPC initiatives at various levels.
- Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor, Team Lead-WHE or WHO Representative. This includes traveling to provinces or reassignment to other duty stations as per program requirements.
WHO Competencies:
1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
3. Communication
4. Producing results
Functional Knowledge and Skills:
- Excellent advocacy and interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities with excellent organizational and independent working skills.
- Ability to work as a team player in a cross-functional setting and challenging environment.
- High level of integrity and commitment to professional responsibilities.
- Technical expertise: Overall attitude at work is also required mandatory competencies.
Qualification:
Education:
Essential:
- Bachelor’s degree in medicine, public health, Nursing, or a related healthcare field.
Desirable:
- Advanced degree (master’s level or equivalent) in Public Health, Medicine, Microbiology, Nursing, or a related field.
Experience:
Essential:
- At least 5 years of professional experience in IPC, health systems strengthening, or infectious disease management, including experience in the design and implementation of IPC programs
- Experience in the development of technical resources, guidelines, SOPs, and training materials for healthcare settings.
- Experience in providing technical assistance and support to government or healthcare systems in relation to IPC policies, standards, and guidelines.
Desirable:
- Experience in emergency health response or health security programs, particularly in disease outbreaks or multi-hazard emergencies.
- Prior work experience with WHO, UN agencies, or other international organizations in public health and infection control.
Use of Language Skills: Expert knowledge of English and Nepali.
REMUNERATION:
Monthly Salary: (Net of tax) NPR 196,102.00 at a single rate (taxable as per Nepal Government laws and appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performances and continuing need for the function.
Grade: Level 8
Duty Station: Anywhere in Nepal
Additional Information
- This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening.
- If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required or 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.
- For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce 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.
- The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. 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 for WHO jobs.
- Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process.
- Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
- 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- 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 atshws@who.int.
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- This post is subject to local recruitment (Nepalese national) only.
- Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
- Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply
