Technical Officer

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The objectives of the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & the International Health Regulations (CPI)include the assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of countries’ preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning and country capacity building for critical capacities, the provision of technical support to WHO’s regional and country offices and countries in their effort to strengthen intersectoral national preparedness and readiness capacity for the early detection, timely and effective response, to public health emergencies as required under the International Health Regulations (2005). CPI ensures that needs listed in national action plans are translated into targeted capacity building in the priority/vulnerable countries.
Description Of Duties:

• Advise on the development, implementation, and evaluation of country strategies and work plans pertaining to the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & International Health Regulations national programme, ensuring compliance with WHO’s organization-wide CPI strategies.
• Collect, assess and track the status of technical and financial support to country core capacities, the development of national action plans and the cost to prepare for, detect, and mount a rapid and effective response to public health emergencies, address gaps in close collaboration with respective units and WHO Country Offices.
• Ensure the documentation of progress, outcomes, and effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation of country capacity, and national action plans related to the implementation of IHR (2005).
• Manage the IHR work related to the required national procedures, skills, information sharing, and coordination mechanisms established and functioning, particularly through an effective National IHR Focal Point.
• Where relevant and in close collaboration with the Country Office, support the provision of data and information required for any IHR-related documents to be presented to WHO Governing bodies, for the work and deliberation of an IHR Emergency Committee or an IHR Review Committee or an IHR technical consultation.
• Implement policies, norms, standards, and guidelines to support the development of critical core capacities for global health security, and provide training and support to national authorities to develop critical core capacities.
• Promote multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches and activities with key partners, at the country level, such as OIE, FAO, ICAO, UNWTO, to ensure the successful implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of capacities in line with IHR (2005) requirements, as well as the identification of financing for country plans.
• As and when required, support the assessment of the performance of national transport, tourism, and mass gatherings capacity, the dissemination of practical guidelines and tools to support the enhancement of the national capacities, oversee the effective implementation of national surveillance systems and the implementation of best practices in accordance with IHR (2005) requirements.
• Represent the CPI at official meetings as needed.
• Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Education:

• Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in public health or Medical degree
• Desirable: Specialized training in epidemiology. Specialized training in emergency/humanitarian response. Post-graduate degree in public health or public health-related discipline from an accredited/recognized institute.

Experience:

• Essential: At least 7 years of international and national professional experience in planning, developing, and implementing health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control, and/or public health programs. Relevant experience with the inter-agency mechanisms used to coordinate international preparedness for and response to health emergencies, including those most relevant to the coordination of health policy and action in health emergencies. Relevant experience in the implementation of international health Regulations (2005).
• Desirable: Demonstrated role in leading institutions for policy development and implementation. Experience in working with WHO or in UN organizations/agencies. Experience in gender-related issues.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2400432