National Professional Officer

Organizational Context

The WHO European Region prioritizes health security and supports Member States in achieving the highest attainable health standards. The WHO Country Office in Kyrgyzstan provides integrated technical support to the Ministry of Health, enhancing collaboration and maximizing WHO's impact on the country's health system. This role is integral to strengthening national health security and aligning with WHO's global mandate.

Job Purpose

The primary purpose of this National Professional Officer role is to deliver expert technical support to Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Health in infectious hazard management, focusing on influenza prevention and control, pandemic preparedness, surveillance, and response to high-threat pathogens. The incumbent will strengthen national systems for respiratory virus prevention and control, encompassing seasonal, zoonotic, and pandemic threats. This includes enhancing surveillance quality, supporting vaccination programs, implementing outbreak response guidelines, and continuously updating national pandemic preparedness plans. Furthermore, the role contributes significantly to the "Better Labs for Better Health" initiative by supporting national laboratory policy implementation, coordinating laboratory activities, and providing input for system development. This position directly contributes to maximizing health security, building resilient health systems, and protecting vulnerable populations in Kyrgyzstan, aligning with WHO's broader mission to promote health and keep the world safe.

Responsibilities

The National Professional Officer will provide comprehensive technical support to the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan in infectious hazard management, focusing on influenza prevention and control, pandemic preparedness, surveillance, and response to high-threat pathogens. Key responsibilities include strengthening national systems to prevent and control seasonal, zoonotic, and pandemic influenza and other respiratory viruses. This involves offering technical advice to improve the quality of epidemiological and virological surveillance systems, supporting the enhancement of seasonal influenza vaccination programs, and facilitating the continuous implementation of guidelines and training for outbreak investigation, response, and clinical management of severe respiratory infections. The role also entails supporting the regular updating and testing of national influenza/respiratory pandemic preparedness plans and associated guidelines. Furthermore, the incumbent will actively support the implementation of the national laboratory policy, strategy, and action plans developed under the "Better Labs for Better Health" initiative. This includes coordinating activities of the National Coordination Council on Laboratory, facilitating working group sessions and trainings, and providing expert input for the ongoing development and evolution of the laboratory system. The officer will also contribute to advocacy products related to these duties and undertake other assigned tasks as required.

Work Experience

Essential: A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in communicable disease prevention and control, including surveillance, and/or laboratory programs/projects. Desirable: Experience working with WHO or other international organizations, and experience in implementing laboratory quality management systems.

Skills

Technical: Knowledge of epidemiology, Knowledge of laboratory quality. WHO Competencies: Teamwork, Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences, Communication, Producing results, Knowing and managing yourself. Language: Expert knowledge of English and Russian, Intermediate knowledge of Kyrgyz language.

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