Public Health Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa region is the hardest hit where about 74% of the estimated 1.2 million TB patients co-infected with HIV occurred in 2014. For many years, efforts to tackle TB and HIV have been largely independent of each other, despite their overlapping epidemiology. The risk of progression from latent to active TB is increased by infection with HIV. Likewise, TB is the most important opportunistic disease that increases the progression to acquire immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the number one killer in HIV-positive individuals. Thus, effective TB control can contribute to better HIV/AIDS control by reducing the TB burden in people with HIV as well as providing an anentry point to HIV prevention and care for people with TBThe HIV prevalence in the general population in Tanzania was 4.7% in 2016/17, however, there are geographical variations across Tanzania, ranging from 11.4 percent in Njombe to less than one percent (<1%) in Lindi and Zanzibar. The number of AIDS related deaths continue to decline. The EMTCT rate remains high at 11%(UNAIDS). Accordingto the Tanzania HIV impact survey 2016/2017, the number of new HIV infections stands at 81,000 new cases of HIV annually among adults ages 15 to 64 years and the 2021 HIV Estimates sows a decline to 68 000 new infections. Of concern is that the new infections are in among young peopleWHO estimates that over 2 billion people have been exposed to hepatitis B virus and approximately 350 million people are chronically infected with HBV. In Tanzania HBV prevalence is estimated at 4 % among people aged 15 - 49 years. However there are geographical variation among blood donors, ranging from 3,5% in Mbeya to ashigh as 9,2% in Mara region and even higher is key populations (KPs)Chronic HBV infection is the risk factor for the development of HCC. The progression of chronicity and the associated pathogenesis directly correlate with active viral replication demonstrable by serological markersSTIs though closely related to HIV is also facing challenges in its management due to unavailability of medicines.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Support the Health Sector, including the Ministry of Health in strengthening national capacity and building partnerships for the control of HIV/AIDS, STI, TB and VH in URT; Act as focal person in the WHO Country Office to manage Hep, TB, STI and HIV related work through coordination with Health Sector (MOH) counterparts, donors and health partners in these areas; Provide technical support in the development of TB and HIV/Hep/STI national strategic and operational plans in addition to, coordination, supervision of interventions related to their implementation, monitoring and evaluation at both national and subnational level; Provide technical support to improve integrated health information system, especially increased demand, generation and use of quality data/information related to TB, STI, HIV/TB and Hep. Participate in resource mobilization and contribute to proposal development and implementation of, but not limited to, the Global Fund grants, PEPFAR; Assist the Health Sector in ensuring the real-time monitoring of the epidemiological trends of Hep, TB, STI and HIV, in addition to the progress of the response; Provide technical support to recommend programme initiatives and priorities, including operational/implementation research, based on analysis of technical and policy problems identified during the programme implementation; Liaise with the government counterparts to facilitate and support adaptation and implementation of the national TB, STI and HIV/Hep programmes in line with the WHO normative guidance and international best practice;Assist in the interpretation and translation of relevant documentsEnsure a brokering role of main actors involved in the health sector and advise the WHO Representative for policy dialogue aimed at addressing bottle necks limiting progress of the response related to Hep, TB, STI and HIV and Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisors

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Medical degree or Degree in Public Health or Epidemiology or other related fields
nafasi za kaziDesirable: Post graduate training of Masters' Degree in public health or epidemiology. specialized training in communicable diseases.

Experience

Essential: At least five years related experience in public health.
Desirable:

Skills

Extensive knowledge and experience in HIV and TB prevention and control programming and implementation. Proven experience in HIV and TB technical and programme management at country level.1.Knowledge of Viral Hepatitis and STI Programming.2.Knowledge of the Tanzania health system - management and strategic planning atnational level.3.Ability to develop and facilitate the development of HIV, STI, TB and VH guidelines and effectively monitor progress in use of guidelines.4. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to cooperate and negotiate with technical and funding agencies, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff.5.Experience with Global Fund proposal development, grant management and implementation processes.6. Excellent communication skills, including presentation skills, ability to write strategically and speak clearly

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at TZS 145,847,000 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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 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 final candidates.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.