Field Coordination Specialist

The objectives of WHO’s emergency programmes are to design and implement programmes that prepare the health cluster to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. This ensures that WHO’s critical functions, as outlined in the Emergency Response Framework (ERF), are fulfilled.

The field coordination specialist ensures that the key priorities of WHO and of the health cluster are met at the subnational level, including by filling in gaps, and enhancing access to, quality preventive and curative health services for internally displaced persons and most vulnerable population groups. The incumbent will ensure reliable health information to enable evidence-based emergency response and monitoring of the provision of technical guidance on priority public health issues and threats.

Duties:

The incumbent will perform the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:

• In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS), the incumbent manages the Health Cluster coordination mechanism in the relevant sub-national, emergency context, with all relevant partners and project staff.
• Coordinates and guides the technical and operational inputs, including resources mobilization, to fulfil WHO’s critical functions, in collaboration with the WHO Health Cluster Coordinator and the Health Emergencies’ Team Lead.
• Technically leads the health cluster’s systematic identification and monitoring of health risks and needs, as well as the planning and implementation of the most effective prevention, control, and response strategy and measures, in support of national and local health authorities’ identified priorities.
• Guides the building of national capacity through need identification, and development, operationalization and implementation of required training plans.
• Guides the WHO’s field support team on continued self-assessment and learning on planning, budgeting, and operational service delivery.
• Determines staffing needs for WHO response and ensures their timely mobilization in liaison with the WHO country office.
• Briefs the WHO country office on situation reports and events, bringing concerns and recommended courses-of-action to the attention of the Incident Manager.

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• 1.     Demonstrated knowledge of public-health, and rapid response operations including the international emergency incident management system.
• 2.     Mastery of the theory, principles, methods, and techniques in the international emergency incident management system.
• 3.     In-depth knowledge of health and safety rules.
• 4.     Knowledge of the country’s public health context, policies, and priorities.
• 5.     Demonstrated expertise in the assessment of emergency or high-risk situations, and the conceptualization and implementation of responsive strategies.
• 6.     Skills to maintain focus in crisis situations.
• 7.     Strong interpersonal skills, including tact and a collaborative work style.
• 8.     Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary and multinational teams in emergency settings.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• An advanced university degree in public health or public-health discipline, management, emergency, humanitarian, disaster management or related field from an accredited/recognized institute

Work Experience:

Essential:

• A minimum of seven years of work experience relevant to the position (public-health management and operations with public, national, and international, nongovernmental, or humanitarian organizations), with some of it obtained in an international work environment.
• A minimum of two years of relevant experience in emergency management/response and leadership at the international level.
• Substantial experience in capacity building in a developing country.
• Experience in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships especially in emergency contexts.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2406070