Roster for Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Officer

Job Description

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative, Incident Manager, WHO Incident Management System/Team Lead (WHE); direct supervision of National Professional Officer (Infectious Hazard Management) and in coordination with other teams within WHO Country Office, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

•  Provide technical support to align the country's Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) targets with the WHO guiding principles outlined in the Global Strategy for IPC (GSIPC). These principles emphasize a people-centered approach, prioritizing healthcare worker protection, patient safety, compassionate care, and the essential role of IPC in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and strengthening preparedness, readiness, and response to disease outbreaks.
•  Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of national and sub-national IPC policies, technical standards, guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and action plans. Ensure alignment with national strategies, policies, plan, and roadmaps.
•  Provide technical support for the development, endorsement, and implementation of the National IPC strategy. This includes delivering orientation and capacity-building activities, as well as implementing national and subnational surveillance guidance for Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI).
•  Facilitate the establishment of mechanisms to collect feedback from hospitals and healthcare professionals regarding their needs for materials and activities aimed at improving IPC practices. Strengthen coordination among government counterparts, frontline health workers, and clinical experts to enhance collaboration and effectiveness.
•  Support the development, design, and implementation of IPC training programs aimed at preventing healthcare-associated infections, including those caused by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and high-threat pathogens (HTPs). This includes reviewing and leveraging existing IPC materials and toolkits from WHO and other relevant global guidance to ensure effectiveness and consistency. Additionally, strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers in IPC by delivering essential knowledge and practices.
•  Assist in the development of technical resources for IPC in an infectious disease setting, including relevant visuals, PowerPoint slide decks with talking points, a collection of case study materials, and knowledge assessment resources, as needed.
•  Ensure effective coordination between IPC efforts, clinical readiness initiatives, and other activities related to emerging infectious diseases.
•  Contribute to the development of country project proposals for IPC-related activities in collaboration with the WHE team members, ensuring alignment with broader program objectives.
•  Support the implementation of IPC-related programs by coordinating with relevant stakeholders and enhancing IPC initiatives at various levels.
•  Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor, Team Lead-WHE or WHO Representative. This includes traveling to provinces or reassignment to other duty stations as per program requirements.

Job Specification

WHO Competencies:

•  Teamwork
•  Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
•  Communication
•  Producing results

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

•  Excellent advocacy and interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
•  Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities with excellent organizational and independent working skills.
•  Ability to work as a team player in a cross-functional setting and challenging environment.
•  High level of integrity and commitment to professional responsibilities.
•  Technical expertise: Overall attitude at work is also required mandatory competencies.

Qualification: Education: Essential:

•  Bachelor's degree in medicine, public health, Nursing, or a related healthcare field.

Desirable:

•  Advanced degree (master's level or equivalent) in Public Health, Medicine, Microbiology, Nursing, or a related field.

Experience: Essential:

•  At least 5 years of professional experience in IPC, health systems strengthening, or infectious disease management, including experience in the design and implementation of IPC programs.
•  Experience in the development of technical resources, guidelines, SOPs, and training materials for healthcare settings.
•  Experience in providing technical assistance and support to government or healthcare systems in relation to IPC policies, standards, and guidelines.

Desirable:

•  Experience in emergency health response or health security programs, particularly in disease outbreaks or multi-hazard emergencies.
•  Prior work experience with WHO, UN agencies, or other international organizations in public health and infection control.

Use of Language Skills: Expert knowledge of English and Nepali.

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