Emergency Preparedness and Response Team Lead

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Description

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The mission of WHO’s EPR (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

• 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 implemeOversee 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:11. 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 health-related field, management, emergency, humanitarian, disaster management or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
• Desirable: Specialized training in emergency and outbreak management; specific training in humanitarian response. Medical degree.

Experience

• Essential: At least seven (7) 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.
• Excellents kills 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
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French.
• Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese.
• The above language requirements are interchangeable.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402467

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