Health Emergency Support Officer

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, the incumbent will assist in the coordination of WHO programmes on epidemic and emergency preparedness and response and ensure the provision of technical assistance to the health authorities and other relevant stakeholders so as to strengthen national preparedness, response, and core capacities under International Health Regulation (IHR 2005), for emerging infectious diseases.

Duties :

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

• Work in coordination with all technical focal points at regional and headquarters levels, under the guidance of the head of the WHO country office.
• Provide technical assistance to national authorities and to the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) programme, at the country level, to enhance the national capability in preparedness and response to emerging infectious diseases, outbreaks, and health emergencies from all hazards.
• Technically support the concerted approach of WHO in the areas of Emergency Risk Management, Country Preparedness and International Health Regulations, Risk & Situation Assessments, and Infectious Hazards Management.
• Utilize national insights to collaborate with and support relevant ministries and other stakeholders to undertake gap analyses in relevant areas of work for emergency preparedness and management and support the development/revision of national strategies and a national multi-hazard, health emergency preparedness and response plan.
• Technically support the preparation of a national risk profile, assessing and mapping existing and emerging national health risks as well as populations vulnerable to, or affected by, prioritized risks, their coping capacities and health needs.
• Contribute to the coordination of the identification of resource needs and funding gaps for health- sector risk reduction, preparedness and response for vulnerable / affected populations, advocating with and mobilizing required resources from partners and donors.
• Support the assessment of capacities and national, competency development systems, and the planning and implementation of appropriate measures and training for strengthening core capacities under International Health Regulations (2005) including to manage identified risks; effectively monitor and evaluate processes, outcomes and the impact of response and recovery interventions.
• Support the national health authorities and partners in the establishment or strengthening of emergency health care systems to ensure the provision of a range of critical emergency health care services.
• Contribute to the knowledge capture from policy, strategic and field interventions, and ensure its dissemination.
• Represent WHO in inter-agency meetings and external forums related to WHO epidemics and emergency preparedness and response.

Required Qualifications:

Education Qualifications

Essential:

• A university degree (bachelor’s) in a relevant field (such as medicine, epidemiology or public health).

Experience:

Essential:

• A minimum of two years of work experience relevant to the position (in public health, preferably in epidemic or emergency preparedness and response activities in a developing country), at the national level. Experience in working partnerships for health policy and strategic and operational interventions in emergency preparedness, response, or recovery especially in a developing country setting.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2404291