Communicable Disease Specialist

The Communicable Disease Specialist will support national programs on communicable diseases focusing on tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, STI, and Viral Hepatitis prevention and control in Papua New Guinea. The role involves developing technical guidelines, building capacity, supporting procurement and surveillance systems, and collaborating with partners to reduce disease transmission.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to the office in the area of Communicable Diseases ensuring that the activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively through primary health care.
• Develop and implement action plans for interventions in high-risks groups and environments and recommend measures for special attention.
• Substantively contribute to the development of national strategies and policies through policy advice and guidance on plans of action for improvements in existing health systems and primary health care for prevention and care of Communicable Diseases.
• Research, compile and evaluate a variety of data and information related to communicable disease outbreak; identify disease sources and provide recommendations concerning appropriate response to identified risks, and implementation of preventative measures and prepare reports.
• Develop improvements and innovate existing information systems on Communicable Diseases and the monitoring of progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) facilitating integration with the national health information systems.
• Serve as a technical resource to the public concerning communicable diseases in the country; respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related practices, procedures, issues, and measures.
• Develop, implement and conduct a variety of community outreach activities concerning the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of communicable diseases under primary health care; prepare and deliver presentations; compile, develop and distribute related informational materials.
• Liaise with national counterparts, donors, development partners (UN and bilateral), and WHO technical departments to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to Communicable Diseases and resolve issues or concerns.
• Ensure quality assurance and relevance of contractual engagements with partners and institutions and make recommendations regarding WHO’s support.
• Participate as a resource person in training/orientation programmes in the related areas for capacity building.
• When delegated represent WHO at various meetings.
• All other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in medicine or public health.
• Training on any of major communicable diseases such as Tuberculosis, including drug-resistant TB, HIV/AIDS, STI, Viral Hepatitis is desirable.
• Postgraduate degree in Medicine/Public Health/Communicable Diseases is desirable.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience with relevant international exposure in communicable diseases focusing on tuberculosis, including drug-resistance, HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis surveillance, prevention and care.
• Experience developing national strategies and action plans for implementing TB and other communicable disease prevention programmes.
• Demonstrated professional experience working at the country and/or regional level providing technical advice and services to national counterparts and other partners on tuberculosis prevention and care and other communicable diseases.
• Experience preparing proposals for Global Fund grant and their implementation, monitoring and evaluation in developing countries is desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of country's situation with regard to Communicable Diseases, with good understanding of the country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
• Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
• Excellent knowledge of Health and safety regulations.
• Technical aspects of the field of specialty.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• Ability to lead and manage a team effectively.
• Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions.
• Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills by working harmoniously as a member of a team, adapting to diverse educational, socio-political and cultural backgrounds and maintaining a high standard of personal conduct.
• Expert knowledge of English.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Skills

• Communicable Disease Surveillance
• Tuberculosis Prevention
• Drug-Resistant TB Management
• HIV/AIDS Prevention
• STI Prevention
• Viral Hepatitis Control
• National Strategy Design
• Program Implementation
• Technical Advisory
• Global Fund Proposal Preparation
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Health Policy Review
• Health and Safety Regulations
• Public Speaking
• Technical Writing
• Team Leadership
• Innovative Problem Solving
• Interpersonal Skills
• Microsoft Office Suite

Languages

English