Country Preparedness & IHR (CPI) Officer

1. Background and Justification

Purpose of the Position

To provide technical assistance and advise the MOH/WHO country office on policy matters related to: disease surveillance and response; prevention & control of communicable diseases and disaster preparedness & response in Nigeria. Special emphasis will be provision of technical support to health authorities and coordination of WHE activities in the country, supporting the development and implementation of national plans and critical core capacities for all-hazard health emergencies; as well as supporting activities related to monitoring, evaluation & objective assessment of country core capacities, ensuring the implementation of the International Health Regulations.

2. Job Description

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

To contribute to the alleviation of the burden of communicable diseases, natural and man-made disasters on the people and communities in Nigeria for improvement of quality of life.

Organizational context (Describe the individual role of incumbent within the team, focusing on work environment within and outside the organization)

Under the direct supervision of the WHE Team Lead and leadership of the Head of WHO country office and in close collaboration with the AFRO WHE team, the incumbent provides technical support and facilitates the implementation of country activities in the area of country health emergency preparedness &IHR, and overall orientation of the Director WHE, the incumbent will act as the WHO Office focal point for disease surveillance and response, prevention and control of communicable diseases, disaster preparedness and response in WHO Office in Nigeria. The incumbent will coordinate the development/updating of strategies, norms, standards and tools for disease prevention and control as well as for disaster preparedness and response for use in the country. He/ She will work in close collaboration with other units within the country office and across the organization in coordinating the development of a detailed disease prevention and control biennial work plan and budget for WHO operations. The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the approved activities and to ensure alignment of purpose between the Regional Office, HQ teams and the WHO country office on matters related to disease surveillance and response; prevention and control of communicable diseases and disaster preparedness and response in the country. The incumbent will also be responsible to ensure monitoring, reporting, performance assessment and evaluation of the workplans to achieve the targets within the agreed budget and monitoring the availability and flow of financial resources and ensure proper communication with relevant clusters/units/offices across the Organisation. under the supervision and guidance of WHO regular contacts are maintained with country health administration [at own level of responsibilities] to provide and obtain necessary information, coordinate implementation and support activities related to evaluation of the health sector coordination mechanisms. Upon request from WHO, the incumbent has contacts with counterparts in the country to represent WHO. Guiding documents for the work include the Biannual Collaborative Agreement; the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs]; the International Health Regulations [IHR 2005]; WHOs’ Emergency Response Framework; the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030; the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness [PIP] framework; the Performance of Veterinary Services [PVS Pathway]; the Paris Agreement on Climate Change; WHO’s e-manual including Standard Operating Procedures [SOPS]for WHO’ work in emergencies; WHO’s Staff Rules and Regulation

Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected)

Under the supervision and guidance of the WHE Team Lead, the incumbent provides technical support and facilitates the implementation of country activities in the area of country health emergency preparedness & IHR. The specific duties are to: Oversee the development and implementation of strategies, norms, standards and tools as well as planning, monitoring and evaluation related to disease and vaccine preventable surveillance and response systems; prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases; disaster preparedness and response programme areas in the country; Assists with the development of strategic comprehensive multi-year plans (cMYPs), as well as annual operational workplans, and supports the ongoing monitoring of these plans; Coordinate development and implementation of a strategy, plan of action and implementation support to strengthen key programme monitoring and evaluation (integrated for IDSR, NCDs and immunization, RMNCAH programmes as a minimum) within the on-going sector wide M&E Framework. Coordinate the Country Office support to the Ministry of Health in programme areas under the incumbent’s supervision in order to ensure sound technical support for planning, programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Build strong partnerships for the implementation of harmonized collaborative support of all stakeholders’ programme areas. Organize advocacy and promotion of country level activities for disease surveillance and response; prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases and disaster preparedness and response in the country; Promote and support research activities on disease surveillance and response; prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases and disaster preparedness and response in the country; Contribute as a member of the country office management team to the strategic thinking, planning, monitoring and evaluation of country objectives. Act as first-line emergency responder in case of a country emergency in line with the ERF II and support the Incident Management team in the country in case of a graded emergency. Support UN emergency teams, where relevant and in close collaboration with the Regional Office, support the provision of data and information required for any WHE-related documents to be presented to WHO Governing bodies, for the work and deliberation of an IHR Emergency Committee or an IHR Review Committee or a technical consultation. Advise the WHO country office issues related to disease surveillance and response; prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases and disaster preparedness and response in the country; Control of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases and Disaster Preparedness and Response Undertake other duties as requested by the WHO Representative

3. Recruitment Profile

Competencies: Generic

WHO Global Competency Model Guidelines.

1. Teamwork

2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

3. Communication

4. Producing results

5. Driving the Organization Position in Health Leadership

Functional Knowledge and Skills

Describe the essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position

Knowledge of International Health Regulations (2005), the epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats, and of issues and practices for disease prevention and control. Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure. Knowledge of the UN and humanitarian systems for emergency response and Preparedness. Technical expertise in planning, monitoring and evaluating health systems. Proficiency in key computer applications. Computer abilities such as word processing, spread sheets and analytical applications.

Education Qualifications

Essential

Advanced University degree in medicine, a health-related field or public health-related discipline.

Desirable

postgraduate training in Public Health or other relevant areas. Specialized training in emergency/disaster preparedness and response

Experience

Essential

Minimum seven years of national/international professional experience in planning, developing and implementing public health programmes/projects especially in health security, including emergency preparedness

Desirable

Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant on governmental or humanitarian organizations. Relevant experience in the implementation of International Health Regulations (2005) initiatives.

4. Use of Language Skills

Expert knowledge of English

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

Good knowledge of Microsoft applications.