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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacities of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The Programme supports countries and coordinates international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The objectives of the Country Readiness Strengthening (CRS) Department include the development and strengthening of core national capacities necessary to mitigate and respond to emergency risks and vulnerabilities. The Department prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low-capacity countries. The Community Readiness and Resilience Unit aims to support Member States to strengthen readiness and build resilience for health emergencies in communities towards minimizing the impact of the crisis or risk, and towards a sustained recovery.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
- Act as Risk Communication and Community Engagement focal point within the Incident Management System (IMS) during disease outbreaks and emergencies:
- Establish and maintain relevant RCCE coordination protocols as appropriate with Regional Office, County Office and external stakeholders.
- Oversee development, implementation, and evaluation of RCCE strategies and plans in support of broader health emergency response operations in close collaboration with Regional Offices, Country Offices and HQ.
- Conduct or support social- behavioral situational analysis for affected populations that measures community priorities, needs, capacities and expectations in close collaboration with Regional Offices, Country Offices and other stakeholders.
- Develop or support the establishment of community listening systems to better understand risk and support health emergency response strategies that are in line with community needs, priorities, capacities, and expectations
- Develop and update relevant information, education and communication materials in languages and formats easily used by national stakeholders and the public.
- Develop and update RCCE guidance, tools and products that support standardized best practice for different health emergencies as appropriate
- Translate scientific information such as technical guidance, into actionable content (messages, tools and products) and engagement interventions for affected populations and specific communities for readiness and emergency response activities and manage clearance and publication process of the mentioned materials.
- Work closely with health emergency technical teams to ensure broader response guidelines and guidance incorporates RCCE principles and best practice.
- Monitor and proactively counter false rumors and misinformation, and address fears and concerns.
- Report regularly RCCE activities, progress and issues to the RCCE Team Lead/Unit Head CRR and Incident Manager and provide outbreak updates to Incident Management, relevant units, external communication, regional RCCE focal points, and partners.
- Contribute to advocacy, resource mobilization, donor communication and reporting in the area of RCCE.
- Support the development and implementation of RCCE capacity building strategies and plans by understanding and documenting training needs, developing materials and tools, and providing training and learning experience support to regions, countries and partners as required.
- Provide technical input to the formulation of policies, standards, guidelines and tools on RCCE or emergency management led by WHO and facilitate their understanding and adaptation and implementation at the regional and country level.
- Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in social sciences, behavioral sciences, development sciences, communication or public health from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Training in public health, risk communication, health education, health communication or health promotion.
Experience
Essential: At least seven years of related experience, at the national and international levels, in risk communication, health promotion, emergency management, part of which working in disease outbreaks or health emergencies. Proven experience in in the development and implementation of risk communications strategies and plans.. Demonstrated exposure at the international level.
Desirable: Prior working experience with WHO, the UN, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or other international organizations, including at country level. Management or project management experience.
Skills
- Knowledge of RCCE, social and behavioral change, crisis communication principles and best practice
- Knowledge of the changing health emergency landscape, governance, frameworks, and priorities
- Ability to independently develop, implement and measure evidence based RCCE strategies and plans
- Ability to work as a team player with excellent interpersonal communication and consensus building skills.
- Ability to work under pressure while producing results. Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to engage effectively external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor Institutions, Civil Society and other stakeholders.
- Ability to think out of the box and to make innovative proposals related to RCCE. Tact, discretion and diplomacy.
WHO Competencies
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
- Ensuring the effective use of resources
- Producing results
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other UN language.
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 77,326 (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 5329 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 TA (Temporary appointments) 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 toreasonableaccommodation@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.
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