Disease Control Officer, P4

Disease Control Officer, P4

WHO - World Health Organization

Accra, Ghana

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the Disease Prevention and Control programme is to contribute to the integrated prevention and control of diseases, particularly those posing serious public health problems in the country and hence considered as priority by the national authorities and WHO. The programme aims at improving and building capacities to implement evidence-based prevention, control and care interventions, including health systems strengthening. In addition, the programme aims at collaborating with the Government and relevant stakeholders within the framework of Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) in significantly reducing the burden of malaria and other vector-borne diseases. The programme contributes to the prevention, control,elimination and eradication of neglected tropical diseases by providing strategic leadership, engaging in partnerships and shaping the research agenda towards strengthening the capacity of the national programme to reduce the disease burden.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative,and in close coordination with the technical team in the regional office, the incumbent performs the following:

POLICY & STRATEGY

• Supports the Ministry of Health in the development of Disease Control strategic plans and detailed work plan. Supports the Ministry of Health in the adaptation and implementation of regional Disease Control & Elimination policies and Guidelines;
• Supports MoH the disease burden estimation,impact and progress measurement of Disease control strategies. The incumbent collaborates with all concerned government departments, cross-cutting programmes, bilateral and voluntary agencies to facilitate promotion of Disease control policies and exchange of information.

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING & EVALUATION

• Provides technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in policy development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programme on integrated disease control with emphasis on those posing serious public health problems and priority disease eradication programmes;
• Provides technical and programmatic support to the National Disease Control Programme and in planning, implementing, review, monitoring and evaluation of malaria control and elimination programme activities asoutlined in the country's plan of action;
• Provides technical support to District Health System in implementing programme activities including early diagnosis, prompt and effective treatment based on laboratory confirmation locating treatment facilities and referring patients to those facilities, prevention through promotion, and increased awareness of communities about malaria and other vector borne disease prevention and control;
• Supports MoH to Strengthen Surveillance Monitoring and Evaluation, through supervision and data quality audit/assessment at Health facility and community levels, and use of data for action;
• Ensure universal access to priority intervention for Disease Prevention diagnosis and treatment.

PARTNERSHIP & RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

• Contributes to the resource mobilization functions of WCO using existing mechanisms at country level;
• Mobilizes resources for the Disease Control Programme of the MoH by supporting the development of Global Fund proposal and proposals to other donors/partners.

CAPACITY BUILDING

• Organizes training of health personnel in the epidemiology of communicable diseases and NCDs, provides technical support for the development of training material and guidelines for disease prevention andcontrol at district and local level;
• Plans and organizes programs for capacity building on Disease Control components (case management, surveillance and M&E, vector control, communications) and other related areas targeting health professionals including community health workers.

EVIDENCE, RESEARCH and KNOWLEDGE

• Promotes operational research on disease prevention and control and assists national officials in the development and implementation of these projects;
• Updates local information to inform vector control and identify challenges to its effectiveness such as insecticide resistance and residual parasite transmission;
• Advocates for evidence based high impact interventions to be adopted or adapted in the national policies, strategies, programs and plans of disease prevention and control;
• Supports research and knowledge transfer activities of DPC by linking local research institutes and universities with global/regional WHO offices and WHO collaborating centers;
• Supports local research institutes and universities to conduct implementation and operations research.

PROGRAMS/CLUSTER COORDINATION

• Serves as the Coordinator of the Disease Prevention and Control Cluster in WCO. Coordinates planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation ensuring coherence of approach in order to improve efficiency in the delivery of disease control programmes. Provides technical and programmatic guidance to technical units under the DPC cluster Provides leadership to the programs under the DPC cluster specifically in planning and reportingareas;
• Promotes a multidisciplinary approach, encourages cross-cluster cooperation and participates in building and enhancing partnership with the donor community, NGOs and other institutions;
• Supervises and monitors the performance of team members under the DPC cluster in WCOPerforms any other related duties as assigned bythe WR.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: Advanced University degree in public health or epidemiology with degree in Medicine from an accredited University;
• Desirable: Training in Communicable diseases,prevention and control. Training in project management.

Experience

• Essential: At least seven (7) years of progressive international and national experience in planning, management and implementation of communicable disease prevention and control interventions and other Neglected Tropical diseases-related activities;
• Desirable: Working experience with the WHO/UN or experience with other international organizations. A minimum of 3 years of working experience in large public health projects. Experience of work in the field with community health workers. Experience in coordination of different programs at supervisory level.

Skills

• Excellent knowledge of strategies for disease prevention and control; Strong managerial, leadership and negotiation skills, ability to coordinate teamwork, establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment; Knowledge of communicable and non-communicable Disease control and public health Proven skills in disease prevention, control end elimination

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork;
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
• Communication;
• Ensuring the effective use of resources;
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English;
• Desirable: of French.

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