Technical Officer

The incumbent will be part of the WHE team in the WHO Country Office, Philippines. The first-level supervisor is the Team Lead for WHE and the second-level supervisor is the WHO Representative in the Philippines. The incumbent provides technical assistance to the DOH and other partners and stakeholders in the development of appropriate and sustainable interventions to help achieve the national goals and targets for health emergency management through coordination, consultation, technical guidance and support. The incumbent is expected to promote coordination within government and among bi- and multi-lateral agencies and nongovernmental organizations on all issues and concerns related to emergency and humanitarian action. Decisions and recommendations on programme objectives and policy matters are done consultation with the supervisor. The incumbent will also work with other relevant technical staff in all levels of the Organization – WHO headquarters, regional and other country offices in the Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) and external partners in UN agencies, national and international institutions to exchange findings and promote information sharing, experience and lessons learnt.

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 the regional and headquarters levels, under the guidance of the head of the WHO country office.
• Provide technical assistance to national authorities in, and coordinate selected aspects of 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.
• Prepare 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.
• Identify 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 recommend, plan and facilitate the 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.
• Represent WHO in inter-agency meetings and external forums related to WHO epidemics and emergency preparedness and response.
• Serve as the focal point for Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and participate in health cluster and interagency mechanisms.

Required Qualifications:

Education

Essential:

• University degree (or higher) in medicine, epidemiology, public health or a similar field.

Experience:

Essential:

• Five (5) years experience in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health programmes including experience in disaster or humanitarian preparedness and response.

Skills:

• Expertise in public health
• Good understanding of disaster management
• Good communication skills and excellent use of computer and information technology
• Relevant experiences in coordination during emergencies and disasters
• Experience in health cluster coordination is an asset

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2407589