Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) Preparedness Officer

World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health, working with nations, partners, and communities to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations so that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest possible level of health.

The ongoing Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) outbreak in neighbouring countries poses a risk of importation into the United Republic of Tanzania. Zanzibar's international airport, seaports, and high population mobility increase its vulnerability to cross-border transmission. WHO is therefore supporting the Ministry of Health Zanzibar to strengthen preparedness across surveillance, laboratory readiness, infection prevention and control (IPC), case management, logistics, risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), Points of Entry (PoE), continuity of essential health services, emergency coordination, and rapid response.

The Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) Preparedness Officer will be based in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and will provide technical and operational support for the implementation of BVD preparedness activities. Working under the supervision of the WHO Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Team Lead and WHO Liaison Officer for Zanzibar, the role will strengthen operational readiness through planning, field implementation, monitoring, reporting, documentation, and capacity building.

Key Responsibilities

1. Preparedness Planning & Implementation

• Support implementation of the BVD preparedness workplan.
• Assist in organizing preparedness activities at national and district levels.
• Support implementation of preparedness interventions across relevant technical pillars.
• Monitor and follow up on agreed preparedness actions.

2. Technical & Field Support

• Support preparedness activities covering surveillance, laboratory readiness, IPC, case management, logistics, RCCE, Points of Entry, and continuity of essential health services.
• Support interventions in high-risk districts and Points of Entry.
• Participate in field missions and supportive supervision visits.
• Support simulation exercises, drills, and preparedness reviews.

3. Monitoring, Information Management & Reporting

• Maintain preparedness activity trackers and support the updating of preparedness dashboards.
• Monitor implementation progress against preparedness plans.
• Prepare weekly preparedness updates and contribute to monthly progress reports.
• Draft mission reports, technical reports, and Situation Reports (SitReps).
• Document lessons learned and good practices to strengthen future preparedness and response.

4. Capacity Building

• Support the organization of training workshops and orientations for health personnel.
• Assist with the preparation of training materials.
• Provide logistical and technical support during training sessions and simulation exercises.
• Contribute to on-the-job mentoring and strengthened preparedness capacity among Ministry of Health staff.

5. Partner Coordination & Emergency Support

• Support technical meetings with the Ministry of Health and other partners.
• Prepare meeting minutes, action matrices, and follow up on agreed actions.
• Contribute to preparedness activities for other public health emergencies when required.

Profile Required

Experience: Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience supporting disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, or emergency response. Experience working with government health systems is required. Experience with WHO or other UN agencies and experience supporting viral haemorrhagic fever preparedness, including Ebola, Marburg, or BVD, are desirable. Knowledge of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), and Public Health Emergency Management is also desirable.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Epidemiology, Laboratory Sciences, Environmental Health, or another related health discipline.

Languages

• Fluent English
• Fluency in Swahili is Desirable

Special Notice

UN Volunteers serve full-time in their professional expertise, supported by a benefits package, including a monthly living allowance (MLA) to ensure a secure standard of living at their duty stations.

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