Health Emergency Support Officer

Objectives of the Programme

The Pacific Health Security and Communicable Diseases unit covers two main areas of work – (1) WHO’s Health Emergencies Program (WHE), and (2) communicable diseases (CD). The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

WHE brings together and enhances WHO’s operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. WHE is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities. To strengthen countries’ capacities as well as a regional alert and response system to ensure public health security through prevention, preparedness planning, early detection, timely risk assessment and rapid response to emerging diseases, public health events and emergencies.

Organizational context

The incumbent works under overall guidance of the WHO Representative for the South Pacific/Director, Pacific Technical Support (DPS), and Team Coordinator, Pacific Health Security and Communicable Diseases (PSC), in collaboration with colleagues in DPS and other teams, counterparts at the regional office, HQ, other and regional partners.

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. This will contribute to the mission of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE), which is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. WHO provides guidance and technical support in organizing the humanitarian health response following multi-hazard emergencies and in revitalizing the capacity of the health sector to rebuild and recover from multi-hazard emergencies in an appropriate and sustainable manner. The works will specifically cover on Fiji.

Summary of Assigned 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.

Recruitment Profile

Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting & promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Building and promoting partnership across the Organization and beyond
5. Promoting the Organization’s position in health Leadership

Education Qualifications

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

Desirable: Training in applied epidemiology.

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.

Desirable: Experience in activities to strengthen country capacities and response to health emergencies and disasters. Knowledge of WHO mandate and goals and/or experience with United Nations funds and programmes.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

● The principles and programmes of epidemic and emergency preparedness and response
● Knowledge of International Health Regulations (IHR)
● Knowledge and skills to contribute to health policy, strategic and operational interventions in emergency preparedness, response and recovery with a range of actors.
● Planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.
● Excellent oral and writing skills, including for reports, oral presentations, and technical documents.

Use of Language Skills
Expert knowledge of English language.

Other Skills (e.g. IT): Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday.