OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHO 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

Advise on the development, implementation and evaluation of country strategies and workplans pertaining to the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & International Health Regulations national programme, ensuring compliance with WHO’s organization-wide CPI strategies.Collect, assess and track the status of technical and financial support to country core capacities, the development of national action plans and the costing to prepare for, detect and mount a rapid and effective response to public health emergencies, address gaps in close collaboration with HQ and the respective Regional Office.Ensure the documentation of progress, outcomes and effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation of country capacity and of national action plans related to the implementation of IHR (2005).Manage the IHR work related to the required national procedures, skills, information sharing and coordination mechanisms are established and functioning, particularly through an effective National IHR Focal Point. Where relevant and in close collaboration with the Country Office, support the provision of data and information required for any IHR-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 an IHR technical consultation. Implement policies, norms, standards and guidelines to support the development of critical core capacities for global health security, provide training and support to national authorities to develop critical core capacities. Promote multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches and activities with key partners, at the country level, such as OIE, FAO, ICAO, UNWTO , to ensure the successful implementation, monitoring and evaluation of capacities in line with IHR (2005) requirements, as well as the identification of financing for country plans.8. As and when required, support the assessment of the performance of national transport, tourism and mass gatherings capacity, the dissemination of practical guidelines and tools to support the enhancement of the national capacities, oversee the effective implementation of national surveillance systems and the implementation of best practices in accordance with IHR (2005) requirements.9. Improve the Ministry of Health’s capacity for transfusion safety throughout the country;10. Improve the capacity of the Ministry of Health to provide health services for victims of gender-based violence, including rape, and liaise with the Sub-Cluster for the Prevention and Combating of Violence based on genre;11. Manage the Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA);Represent the Country Office at official meetings as needed;To support health partners for the elaboration and implementation of health strategies and policies to strengthen Nutrition, SGBV related comprehensive interventions, producing and analyzing information on related health threats, activitie and outcomes, andensuring dissemination to partners and local authorities;Perform any other related duties, as required by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in a health field or Medical degree.
Desirable: Specialized training in epidemiology. Specialized training in emergency/humanitarian response. Post-graduate degree in public health or public health-related discipline from an accredited/recognized institute.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of international and national professional experience in planning, developing and implementing health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control, and/or public health programmers. Relevant experience with the inter-agency mechanisms used to coordinate international preparedness for and response to health emergencies, including those most relevant to coordination of health policy and action in health emergencies. Relevant experience in the implementation of International Health Regulations (2005).
Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries and protected emergencies.

Skills

Thorough 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.Proven ability to coordinate and manage projects, build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies. Sound tactical thinking with the ability to formulate clear comprehensive strategies and plans. Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable:

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 77,326 (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 3609 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (

https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to

reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

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