Regional Emergency Director

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The purpose of the position is to provide strategic direction and vision across a multidisciplinary programme area of work within the Department of WHE (Health Emergency Programme) bringing cohesion to the Organization’s approach to emergency prevention, preparedness, detection, response and recovery in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Regional Emergency Director (RED) will position the work of the Department technically, operationally, financially and politically. She/He will act as the regional representative and overall spokesperson of the Department of WHE, engaging internationally in dialogue with senior officials of global health organizations, as well as with Ministers of Health, Development Agencies, Donors and other stakeholders. The Regional Emergency Director (RED) provides senior level advice and guidance to the EMR Regional Director, senior management colleagues and is accountable for the overall management and galvanization of Department teams to meet the objectives of the Organization.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme 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 populations affected by emergencies from all hazards. The Programme brings together and enhances WHO’s operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the emergency management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. The Programme 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Lead the Department in providing technical expertise to Member States and other Stakeholders with guidance and technical data required for the development, implementation, and monitoring of national and/or global policies and programmes.
2. Provide the overall leadership, management accountability, and direction of the Department in delivering its objectives through managing and galvanizing a diverse workforce and financial resources to optimize the department deliverables and mandate.
3. Provide senior level technical advice and expertise to Senior Management in the area of assigned responsibilities in order to position the Department and Organization as a leader in the respective area.
4. Direct and lead overall establishment and development of the Department’s evidence-based policies and strategies for roll out and delivery for Regional and Country Office implementation.
5. Oversee the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the Department’s area of work to ensure development of key performance indicators and global reporting requirements and mechanisms to ensure optimal performance of Department deliverables.
6. Serve as the scientific/technical reference among UN Agencies and other key players in the respective areas.
7. Promote the integration of Regional Country Office perspectives and operational capacities into the Department’s programme area of work.
8. Build strong partnerships and fosters consensus building with External Partners, Member States, UN Agencies, Donor, cutting edge research institutions and other stakeholders in the subject area to politically position the technical area of work and implementation into national and/or global policies.
9. Supervise implementation of baseline all-hazards risk assessments and independent assessments of critical preparedness capacities.
10. Provide authoritative guidance on the development and costing of national health emergencies plans.
11. Ensure oversight of outbreaks and graded acute emergencies which will be managed through the Incident Management System and has direct supervision of Incident Manager at country and regional level.
12. Oversee support to WHO country offices to ensure that they are operationally ready to detect and respond effectively to emergencies that pose the greatest health risk.
13. Represent the Organization and Department area of work in a diverse array of regional fora to position WHO as a leader in the regional health community.
14. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in Medicine, Public Health or a related field.
Desirable: Specialized training or degree in epidemiology. Specialized training or degree in emergency/humanitarian response. Training in leadership or management.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the management of health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control and/or public health programmes.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience at the international level.
• Experience in providing senior level advice and guidance to Senior Management/Decision makers.
• Experience in managing human and financial resources, as well as experience in the area of developing and establishing policies and strategies.

Desirable:

• ­Relevant work experience in WHO and/or UN sister agencies;
• ­Experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.
• ­Work experience or training as a Health Cluster Coordinator or a Humanitarian Coordinator.
• ­Field experience in public health programmes or emergency response programmes in developing countries.

Skills

• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies.

• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.
• Strong understanding and skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States, partners and media.
• Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
• Regionally respected level of technical expertise and knowledge in Health Emergencies.
• Proven leadership skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting & promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Driving the Organization’s Position in Health Leadership
  
• Promoting innovation and organizational learning
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of Arabic and/or French desirable.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

• Proficiency in Microsoft office.
• Good skills in ERP based systems.

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 117,280 (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 3470 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.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application,
  please ensure that:
  1 -Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.
  2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education, training and experience are provided under relevant sections.
  3- Your experience records are properly entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

  -Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:
  https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/enhanced-who-global-competency-model

• 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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