Technical Officer, Influenza Surveillance

$64,121 - $64,121/Yr

World Health Organization - Washington, DC

Full-time - Mid Level

Washington, DC

About the position

The Technical Officer for Influenza Surveillance at the World Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for providing technical cooperation to countries in the Americas to enhance and evaluate surveillance systems for various respiratory diseases, including influenza and COVID-19. This role involves assessing needs, delivering training, consolidating epidemiological data, and facilitating pandemic preparedness initiatives. The officer will work closely with national counterparts and contribute to regional reports and guidelines, ensuring effective health responses to respiratory disease outbreaks.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical cooperation to countries in the Americas to strengthen, monitor, and evaluate surveillance systems for influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and ORV.
• Support the development and revision of data collection protocols for respiratory disease surveillance at the country level.
• Assess needs and deliver targeted training on surveillance of seasonal and pandemic influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and ORV.
• Consolidate epidemiologic and virologic surveillance data on respiratory diseases.
• Identify training needs and implement capacity-building initiatives for managing unusual respiratory events.
• Facilitate pandemic preparedness and response evaluations, including workshops and simulation exercises.
• Organize meetings related to the Intersectoral Commission for the Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Influenza in the Americas.
• Prepare regional reports and newsletters on zoonotic influenza and respiratory diseases.
• Update and analyze data related to the virological and epidemiological situation of influenza.
• Facilitate technical cooperation to National Influenza Centers and promote the creation of new centers.
• Develop new projects for resource mobilization to support pandemic planning activities.
• Participate in emergency and disaster response operations as required.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in public health, epidemiology, or a related field.
• Seven years of combined national and international experience in communicable disease surveillance, particularly influenza and respiratory diseases.
• Very good knowledge of English or Spanish, with working knowledge of the other language; knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, including Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's and/or doctoral degree in medicine, veterinary medicine, or epidemiology.
• Experience working with the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS).
• Completion of a field epidemiology training program.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Pension plan
• 30 days annual leave
• Dependency benefits
• Home leave
• Travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation
• Education grant for dependent children
• Assignment grant
• Rental subsidy