IPC/ WASH Technical Officer

WHO is supporting affected countries to respond to the outbreak and assisting unaffected countries to prepare to adequately respond if they get affected. In Angola, country capacity to respond to the outbreak has been assessed using the WHO readiness checklist as well as the JEE which was conducted last year, with the country having limitations in many, if not all, IHR (2005) capacities including Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). WHO AFRO has identified Angola as a priority 1 country, together with 12 other countries, for support for preparedness activities based on the volume of travel to and from China and other regions, especially Portugal and Italy (which has reported already cases). Although the country has initiated some preparedness activities there are still major gaps in the various thematic areas that will need to be filled in order to adequately prepare to promptly identify, contain and appropriately manage any imported cases, and ultimately reduce the impact of any possible outbreak.
An effective, nation-wide COVID-19 preparedness and response requires the implementation of an adequately resourced plan by a mutli-sectoral team, including government and development partners. WHO is supporting preparedness and response globally and at the regional and country levels. WHO ARFO has developed a regional operational plan a myriad of tools to enable the countries in the WHO Africa region to establish and sustain the required readiness capacities and capabilities to promptly detect, effectively manage and mitigate further spread of the COVID 19 virus. With Angola identified as a priority 1 country at risk for a COVID19 outbreak, it is imperative for WHO to support for the preparedness and response activities.

Organizational Context (Describing the individual role of incumbent within the team, focusing on work environment within and outside the organization)

The IPC/WASH technical officer reports directly to the Country Readiness Technical Officer of the WHE  Programme with as the second level of supervision the Head the head of the WHE / ERM cluster WHO in Angola.The incumbent will support directly his/her counterpart in the Ministry of Health. He or She in full under technical supervision of the WHE  Cluster will implement the Infection Prevention and Control or WASH activities as part of the COVID-19 outbreak response  to effectively prevent and contain the spread of the disease.

Summary of Assigned Duties objective; include main achievements expected)

Under the direct supervision of the WHE Country Readiness focal person as second supervisor the WHE Cluster head, the incumbent, will be responsible for the IPC/WASH activities during the COVID-19 preparedness and response to COVID-19 outbreak. More specifically, the incumbent will:

1. The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Professional has the responsibility to coordinate and assist health care services to implement an infection prevention and control program;
2. The professional will be responsible for facilitating comprehensive and effective surveillance, prevention, and control program to ensure quality care, aiming to prevent infections among patients, employees, physicians, and visitors;
3. Has a leadership role within the interdisciplinary collaborative team (health care services) to conduct and define main activities based on the results of health care services assessment. The following assessment tools are useful: The Core Components for Infection Prevention and Control Programme at the National Level Assessment tool, The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Assessment Framework (IPCAF) tool at Acute Health Care Facility Level, and Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework tool;
4. Manages critical data and information (incidence or prevalence of healthcare-associated infections) and develops an intervention plan (multimodal) to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases and participate in the Emergency Management Plan as appropriate;
5. Develops and executes education and training for healthcare workers and providers (using active strategies) to ensure compliance with basic IPC measures. The IPC measures are based on national policies and procedures guidelines;
6. The guidelines development involves the early engagement of key stakeholders, including the involvement of programs closely linked to IPC. The specific guidelines must be developed regarding the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections (catheter-associated urinary tract infection, central line-associated bloodstream infection, surgical site infection, ventilator-associated infection) and microorganisms responsible for the HAI (especially the multidrug-resistant organism).

Recruitment Profile

Competencies: Generic

WHO Global Competency Model Guidelines.

1.  Teamwork;
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
3. Communication;
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond;
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources.

Education (Qualifications):

• Essential: First university degree in epidemiology, health science related or public health from an accredited/recognized institute;
• Desirable: An advanced university degree in health-related field or quantitative epidemiology specialized training in communicable diseases. Specialized training in infectious diseases

Experience:

• Essential: At least five years of related experience, at the national and/or international levels, in implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response. Previous experience in implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) is a requirement;
• Desirable: Experience in the areas in developing countries. Previous experience working in collaboration with multiple actors in public health surveillance is desirable. Prior humanitarian working experience at field level with WHO/UN, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organization or with an international nongovernmental organization with expertise in disaster and outbreak response.

Validade: 22/04/2020