State Surveillance Officer (SSO) – 1 Position – LICA 8 – Dhuusamareb, Somalia At World Health Organization

Organizational Setting

Under the technical supervision of the Surveillance Coordinator and administratively under the Federal Polio Team Leader, with the overall supervision of the WHO Representative, the National Surveillance Coordinator will undertake the following duties

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support State Health Authorities in ensuring that there is a system in place for comprehensive AFP Case detection and response.
2. Ensure timely investigation of AFP cases, collection of stool specimen and ensure transportation to the regional lab as per guidelines.
3. Undertake regular active surveillance visits to ensure that no AFP case is missed or not reported.
4. Facilitate that all data from AFP cases are properly collected, line-listed, analyzed and interpreted timely.
5. Regularly monitor the quality of surveillance data in their state of responsibility.
6. Participate actively in the detailed epidemiological investigations of AFP cases which are of concern like urgent cases and cases with zero dose status.
7. Ensure the achievement and/or maintenance of certification standards for AFP surveillance system; supervise implementation of active surveillance and routine reporting.
8. Undertake regular performance reviews including weekly analysis of AFP surveillance data.
9. Assist in the training and other capacity building activities for national staff and other health care workers regarding AFP Surveillance
10. Assist in ensuring inclusion of all high risk / migrant population in the surveillance network and AFP cases are reported from them.
11. Sustain the maintenance of environmental surveillance system.
12. Undertake frequent travels for AFP Surveillance Strengthening to different regions and districts of the state, particularly hard to reach areas and other areas of interest to the polio team.
13. Submit monthly reports on the activities undertaken to polio team leader or whom he delegates.
14. Support the establishment/strengthening of an integrated communicable disease surveillance system at the state level.
15. Produce weekly situation updates on polio surveillance in their designated area.
16. Work closely and coordinate with IFP, zonal, regional and district polio officers as per admin and geographical location.
17. Assist with any other tasks as defined by the supervisor within this area of work.

Qualifications

Educational background

Essential: Medical degree. Public health or epidemiology training is mandatory.

Desirable:

Professional experience and knowledge

Essential: At least 2 years experience in public health and especially surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, and disease prevention and control activities.

Experience in complex emergency situations and disease outbreaks.

Knowledge and experience with management and community-based health care programs.

Able and available to travel across all states on planned and emergency missions without restrictions.

Desirable:

Language Skills

Essential: Fluency in local language and a good knowledge of English.

Good understanding of data analysis and epidemiological software.

Good computer ability, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other programs.

Must be a Somalian national

Desirable:

Competencies

Describe the core, management competencies required – See WHO competency model – list in order of priority, commencing with the most important ones.

1. 1. Teamwork*
   2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences*
   3. Communication*

*4. Producing Results