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Job Summary

The Technical Officer – Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) serves as the regional focal point for influenza preparedness and surveillance activities within the African Region. The position is responsible for supporting member states in strengthening their capacity to detect, monitor, prevent, and respond to influenza outbreaks and other respiratory disease threats through improved laboratory systems, surveillance programs, and preparedness initiatives.

Working closely with regional and global health partners, the Technical Officer leads technical efforts aimed at enhancing national public health systems, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and improving pandemic preparedness. The role involves coordinating projects, building partnerships, monitoring program implementation, and providing technical guidance to countries across the region.

Position Purpose

The primary purpose of this role is to strengthen regional and national capacities for influenza surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, outbreak preparedness, and emergency response. The Technical Officer supports the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework and works closely with governments, partners, and health institutions to improve health security and resilience against epidemics and pandemics.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Coordination and Implementation

The Technical Officer will oversee the implementation of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness activities across the region.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework in African member states.

• Supporting countries in developing and strengthening influenza preparedness plans.

• Monitoring progress of PIP-funded projects and ensuring achievement of program objectives.

• Providing technical guidance on surveillance, laboratory systems, risk communication, and preparedness activities.

• Ensuring effective implementation of approved work plans and project activities.

• Supporting countries in meeting international health security and preparedness requirements.

• Facilitating collaboration between regional, country, and headquarters teams.

2. Influenza Surveillance and Laboratory Strengthening

The role focuses on enhancing surveillance and laboratory capacities across participating countries.

Key duties include:

• Supporting the establishment and strengthening of influenza surveillance systems.

• Providing technical assistance on sentinel surveillance implementation.

• Promoting early detection and monitoring of influenza viruses and other respiratory pathogens.

• Supporting laboratory capacity-building initiatives.

• Strengthening disease monitoring and reporting systems.

• Assisting countries in improving laboratory diagnostics and quality assurance practices.

• Promoting timely sharing and analysis of surveillance data.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

The Technical Officer will monitor program performance and assess project outcomes.

Responsibilities include:

• Tracking implementation progress across supported countries.

• Monitoring achievement of project milestones and deliverables.

• Evaluating program effectiveness and identifying areas for improvement.

• Preparing monitoring reports and performance updates.

• Supporting the development of indicators and measurement frameworks.

• Providing recommendations to enhance program impact and sustainability.

• Ensuring timely reporting to donors and stakeholders.

4. Project Management and Operational Planning

The position requires effective management of complex, multi-country health initiatives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing annual and multi-year work plans.

• Coordinating implementation schedules and project activities.

• Managing technical aspects of projects funded under the PIP Framework.

• Supporting budget planning and resource allocation.

• Monitoring project implementation against approved plans and timelines.

• Ensuring efficient utilization of available resources.

• Identifying risks and implementing mitigation measures.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building

The Technical Officer will collaborate with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.

Responsibilities include:

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with member states and partner organizations.

• Collaborating with government agencies, public health institutions, and research organizations.

• Working closely with technical teams at regional and global levels.

• Coordinating activities with donors, implementing partners, and international organizations.

• Facilitating communication between country offices, regional offices, and headquarters.

• Supporting multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration initiatives.

• Promoting partnerships that strengthen health security and preparedness.

6. Scientific Meetings and Technical Coordination

The role involves supporting technical forums and knowledge-sharing activities.

Key duties include:

• Organizing and supporting regional scientific and technical meetings.

• Coordinating workshops, conferences, and training sessions.

• Facilitating technical discussions on surveillance, laboratory systems, communication, regulatory preparedness, and vaccine deployment.

• Supporting regional coordination meetings among technical focal points.

• Promoting exchange of knowledge and best practices among participating countries.

• Ensuring follow-up on agreed actions and recommendations.

7. Research and Evidence Generation

The Technical Officer will contribute to research activities that support public health preparedness.

Responsibilities include:

• Identifying research priorities related to influenza preparedness and response.

• Supporting operational research and surveillance studies.

• Promoting evidence-based approaches to public health interventions.

• Contributing to scientific publications and technical reports.

• Supporting data analysis and interpretation activities.

• Encouraging innovation in surveillance and service delivery models.

• Facilitating the use of research findings in policy and program development.

8. Integration and Health Systems Strengthening

The position supports integration of influenza preparedness activities within broader health programs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Exploring opportunities to integrate preparedness activities into existing health systems.

• Promoting a systems-based approach to epidemic preparedness.

• Collaborating with emergency preparedness, laboratory, and One Health programs.

• Supporting efforts to strengthen overall health security capacity.

• Encouraging coordination between human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

• Contributing to sustainable and resilient public health systems.

9. Technical Reporting and Documentation

The Technical Officer will ensure accurate documentation and reporting of program activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Preparing technical reports and progress updates.

• Developing donor reports and project summaries.

• Reviewing and editing scientific and technical documents.

• Supporting publication of research findings and program achievements.

• Maintaining accurate records of project activities and outcomes.

• Providing regular updates to management and stakeholders.

Core Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

Leadership and Collaboration

• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.

• Ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships.

• Capacity to work effectively across cultures and disciplines.

• Ability to coordinate activities involving multiple stakeholders.

Communication Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong presentation and facilitation abilities.

• Ability to prepare high-quality technical reports and publications.

• Effective negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.

Professional Competencies

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Strong project management and planning skills.

• Ability to manage complex programs and competing priorities.

• Commitment to innovation and continuous learning.

• High levels of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.

Educational Requirements

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Virology, Microbiology, or a related scientific discipline.

Additional Advantage

The following qualifications will be considered beneficial:

• Advanced training in laboratory sciences.

• Specialized training in public health, disease surveillance, outbreak response, or related fields.

Experience Requirements

Essential Experience

Candidates should have:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in influenza surveillance and laboratory systems.

• Practical experience implementing sentinel surveillance programs.

• Demonstrated expertise in influenza preparedness and response activities.

• Experience managing projects with significant budgets and multiple stakeholders.

• Proven experience working with governments, international organizations, and development partners.

• Strong track record in scientific research and publication.

Desirable Experience

Additional advantages include:

• Experience working within international organizations.

• Experience supporting public health programs in developing countries.

• Experience coordinating regional or multi-country health initiatives.

• Exposure to emergency preparedness and health security programs.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

The ideal candidate should possess:

• Strong knowledge of influenza surveillance systems and laboratory diagnostics.

• Understanding of epidemic and pandemic preparedness frameworks.

• Knowledge of public health emergency management principles.

• Expertise in project management and operational planning.

• Ability to design, monitor, and evaluate public health programs.

• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.

• Experience developing technical guidance and policy recommendations.

• Knowledge of international health regulations and health security initiatives.

Expected Outcomes

The successful Technical Officer will:

1. Strengthen influenza surveillance and laboratory capacity across member states.

2. Improve preparedness and response systems for epidemics and pandemics.

3. Ensure effective implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework.

4. Enhance collaboration among governments, partners, and health institutions.

5. Support evidence-based decision-making through quality data and research.

6. Improve regional health security and emergency preparedness.

7. Deliver high-quality technical guidance and program support.

8. Contribute to stronger and more resilient public health systems across the African Region.

This position offers an opportunity to contribute to regional and global health security efforts by supporting countries in preventing, detecting, and responding to influenza outbreaks and other public health threats.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to World Health Organization on careers.who.int to apply