Technical Officer (Country Support and Coordination)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Division of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain all hazard emergencies, as described under the IHR (2005) and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

The WHE Division brings together and enhances WHO’s operational, technical and normative capacities in health emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk 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.

Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) Programme Area is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of countries’ preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning and country capacity building for critical capacities and the Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005). CPI has an all-hazards approach and involves all three levels of the Organization.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Support CPI/PCB team in building Member States capacity to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks especially focusing on hazard- specific contingency planning at national, subnational and health facility level.
Under the supervision of the Technical Officer, PCB/CPI, the incumbent will work independently undertake the following tasks:

1. Assist in planning and implementation of strategic risk assessment: Collaborate closely with technical teams to plan and conduct risk assessments based on WHO methodologies specifically addressing CBRN- related risks, and action planning to address identified risks.

2. Support hazard- specific contingency planning: Assist in the development and updating of hazard- specific contingency planning and readiness checklists with a focus on CBRN hazards at regional and country level.

3. Monitor and analyse public health and social measures in response to public health events: Assist in analysis and reporting of PHSM interventions in response to health emergencies at regional and country level to achieve tailor made approach to country support.

4. Support project documentation and reporting: Assist in preparing regular project and activity reports, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. Provide input to proposals, reports, communications, and information products as required.

5. Capacity Building and technical assistance: Prepare background documents, including concept notes, agendas and presentations for country support activities with specific focus on contingency planning, points of entry and hospital safety. Provide technical support to plan and conduct consultations, trainings and meetings as needed.

6. Contribute to monitoring of global and regional initiatives on health security and disaster risk reduction, including new publications, technical guidelines, reports and policy.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences or disaster/emergency management.
Desirable: Advanced university degree (master’s level or above) in information management, public health, epidemiology, economics, international development, public or business administration from an accredited/recognized institute. Certified training in monitoring and evaluation.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of relevant experience in public health and emergency management at national and international levels and in organizing capacity building events.
Desirable: International work experience in WHO or other relevant specialized agency.

Skills and Knowledge

Knowledge

• Knowledge of IHR implementation process and monitoring principles.

• Understanding of strategic risk assessment methodologies and principles of emergency planning and response, including familiarity with WHO standards.

• Ability to tailor training materials and methodologies to different target audiences, ensuring that they are accessible, engaging, and relevant to country needs.

Skills

• Excellent organizational and project management skills to keep track of proposal submission deadlines, reporting deadlines and implementation rates.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills to diverse audience within and outside the health sector, including to high level stakeholders.

• Ability to work as team player, across teams with excellent interpersonal skills.

• Ability to engage effectively to external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, and other stakeholders.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Knowing and managing yourself
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of EURO official languages.

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 50,377 (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 3493 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.

• 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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