*Please note WHO’s Fast Track Procedures for Emergencies SOP applies. For internal staff, please refer to the eManual.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical and operational needs of the Programme. The incumbent will be required to perform all or part of the following duties:
Strengthening and testing Emergency Response Systems:
- Lead WHO's emergency response program at national or subnational level;
- Advise the Ministry of Health (MoH) on the establishment/strengthening of an Emergency Management System /Emergency Operation Centre (IMS/EOC) for multi-sectoral emergency response that includes staffing, defined roles/responsibilities and resources for key functional areas. Support the regular testing of the emergency response system through functional exercises at the national and local levels.
- Coordinate the development, distribution and use of Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) for IMS functions and field activities to manage priority risks (including enhanced surveillance, investigation and rapid response, contact tracing, sampling, infection prevention and control, outbreak vaccination, etc.).
- Oversee the management and distribution of national medical stockpiles through stockpile management systems.
Strengthening and testing Emergency Management Systems:
- Coordinate all aspects of the emergency programme, at the country level, to ensure the concerted approach of WHO in the areas of emergency information management, Country preparedness and International Health Regulations (2005), risk assessments and Infectious hazard management.
- Support national and local health authorities, partner with UN agencies, international, governmental and nongovernmental organizations/institutions, to:
- Strengthen the national capability to prepare and respond to health emergencies from all hazards, ensure the required national procedures, skills, coordination mechanisms and health systems are strengthened to manage identified risks.
- Assess and map existing and emerging health risks in the country and prepare a national risk profile based on a risk assessment.
- Assess health needs of affected populations in cooperation with technical units at RO and HQ level
- Assess capacities for emergency management, including preparedness, and develop a national Health Emergency Response Plan.
- Review the National Health Plan / National Health Emergency Response Plan as needed, take additional action, including the development of contingency plans for specific high priority risks.
- Mobilize and coordinate resources, oversee the operational and strategic planning of the health response plans, identify resource needs and funding gaps; encourage donors to fund the overall health sector response to affected populations.
- Represent WHO to external stakeholders, including donors and partners, with respect to the country operations. Coordinate with other agencies and I/NGOs through the Health Cluster approach and directly as operational implementing partner.
Operations and Finance:
- Lead the planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategies, operational and HR plans for the WHO's overall emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities.
- Manage sensitive issues arising from the emergency.
- Oversee the development a detailed task-based work plan and budget for implementation of priority activities identified in the National Health Emergency Response Plan.
- Ensure the country has accessible contingency funds for immediate response to emergencies, including, outbreaks at national and other appropriate sites.
- Determine staffing needs, ensure the mobilization of the required human resources. Provide leadership, motivation, guidance, and performance management of staff and experts. Take concrete measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all WHO responders.
Monitoring and reporting:
- In cooperation with other levels of response authorize the release of related information, communications, advocacy products and statements to internal and external partners as well as to the public.
- Monitor and provide guidance and briefings to senior and elected officials as required, on the progress and implementation of preparedness and operational readiness activities in alignment with the national action plan and throughout the full cycle of the emergency, including financial and implementation tracking, and output/impact monitoring.
- Perform all other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: An advanced university degree in medicine, disaster management, public health or health policy.
Desirable: Specialized training or degree in emergency and outbreak management, humanitarian response, management or public administration.
Experience
Essential: At least 10 years of related experience, at the national and international levels, in multi-sectoral coordination, strengthening country capacities and responding to emergencies and disasters, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters or complex emergencies. Experience in coordinating operational activities in preparedness and response with a range of actors.
Desirable: Relevant work experience with WHO and/or UN agencies, health cluster partners; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.
Skills
--> Demonstrated knowledge of the rapid response operations and their implementation in emergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations, to lead and direct multidisciplinary and multinational staff. --> Excellent skills in the assessment, monitoring, analysis and evaluation of emergency situations, with the ability to conceptualize and implement innovative strategies and advocate their implementation. --> Authoritative and comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and techniques in international emergency incident management system.--> Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks.--> Strong operational competencies in managing and coordinating humanitarian program cycle, including efficient human and financial resource management.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
REMUNERATION
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 90,664 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1330 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
- In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
- Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
- For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
- WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
- Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
Qualifications
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION Please write a brief summary (one to two sentences) on the purpose of the position, highlighting the main responsibility/function.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives. Concentrate on outlining the most critical/important key duties. Maximum of five to seven bullets.
- Bullet
- Bullet
- Bullet
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education Essential: Indicate the minimum/essential degree/education required to qualify for this position and level.
Desirable: Indicate any additional education or training that would be an asset to the position but not a minimum requirement.
Experience Essential: Indicate minimum/essential experience required to qualify for this position and level
Desirable: Indicate any additional experience that would be an asset in undertaking the duties
Use of language skills Essential: Indicate the languages which are “required” to perform the duties
Desirable: Indicate languages which would prove to be an asset in performing the duties
Skills Specific skills required:
REMUNERATION HR to include relevant text if requisition is to be posted