Consultant Coordination support officer covering - Health Diplomacy, EOC, Strategy and innovation, Band Level B HUB DAKAR

Background

The West African member states of WHO including those of the Sahel region of Africa face significant health challenges, including but not limited to infectious diseases, malnutrition, limited access to healthcare services, and fragile health systems. The World Health Organization Africa Regional Emergency Hub in Dakar, Senegal, plays a critical role in coordinating health responses and providing technical assistance to countries within the Sahel region. The role of the incumbent will be crucial in providing support to the coordination activities of Dakar for ultimately enhancing the hub technical and strategic support across West and Central African countries.

Provide technical support to the hub coordinator in ensuring the uptake of innovations and implementation of various strategies. Specifically, under the leadership of the hub coordinator, explore and implement/scale up innovations to improve WHO’s key outputs in the Dakar hub. Support the Hub Lead in implementing strategies to Strengthen health systems and promote integrated approaches to address health challenges. Foster collaboration and partnerships through strong health diplomacy initiatives with relevant stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, and international agencies, to leverage resources and expertise for sustainable health interventions. Lastly, support the Hub lead in putting in place and monitoring the EOC at the hub level once operational.

Deliverables & Key Responsibilities

WHO is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Technical Consultant specialized in the establishment and strengthening of Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs). The main objective is to assist in implementing the PHEOC to ensure effective preparedness and response to epidemics, disasters, and different public health emergencies.

The technical consultant will provide expert input into the development plans of the PHEOC. In collaboration with health ministry experts, the WHO country office, and partners, the consultant will align their work with the WHO framework for PHEOC guidance on plans and procedures, legal framework, space, redundancy, software, ICT systems, data, information systems, and standards.

The technical consultant will be accountable to the WHO Representative (WR) in the country. They will collaborate closely with the emergency focal point and the regional PHEOC focal point, consistently delivering reports and updates to the WR through the emergency focal point. This will ensure efficient communication and coordination.

Key Responsibilities:

Conduct comprehensive assessments of the health landscape in each country of the subregion to identify priority areas and gaps. Work with the hub coordinator and STS Strategies and innovations team to develop evidence-based strategies and action plans to address health challenges, with a focus on disease surveillance, and emergency preparedness and response. Provide technical guidance on health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment protocols, considering the socio-economic and cultural context of the region.

Conduct technical assessments, gap analyses, and field missions to identify priority areas for intervention and recommend evidence-based solutions to address complex health issues in the Sahel region. Support the implementation of innovative approaches and best practices to improve health service delivery and health outcomes. Monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of health programs, utilizing appropriate indicators and benchmarks to ensure accountability and effectiveness. Provide timely and relevant technical advice to the program coordinator and other stakeholders to guide decision-making processes.

Under the leadership/guidance of the Hub coordinator, advocate for policy reforms, legislative changes, and institutional strengthening measures to improve health governance, health systems resilience, and health security capacities in Hub countries. Support unit collaboration, and communication between WHO Headquarters, Regional Office, Dakar HUB, and country offices through effective coordination of resources, expertise, and support for emergency operations in the Sahel region.

Liaise with/ coordinate with relevant UN agencies, international organizations, and intergovernmental bodies (e.g., UNICEF, UNHCR, World Bank) to harmonize approaches, share information, leverage resources, and avoid duplication of efforts in addressing health challenges and humanitarian needs in the Sahel region. Supporting coordination and monitoring the implementation of Hub activities in line with the work plan, the incumbent will contribute to the Hub's effectiveness, efficiency, and impact in addressing health emergencies and promoting health security in the Sahel region. The incumbent will carry other any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Develop a comprehensive health diplomacy strategy and action plan based on the assessments conducted outlining key priorities, objectives, and activities to enhance collaboration, advocacy, and partnerships in support of WHO's mission and mandate in the Sahel region.

2. Prepare policy briefs, technical reports, and position papers on emerging health trends, priority health issues, and policy recommendations for decision-makers, opinion leaders, and media outlets to inform evidence-based decision-making and advocacy.

3. Conduct regular evaluations and impact assessments of health diplomacy activities and interventions supported by the Hub, documenting successes, lessons learned, and areas for improvement to enhance program effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability.

4. Attend various unit meetings, and other meetings related to the outbreaks and humanitarian response operations and ensure predictable follow-up on agreed action points with relevant stakeholders through the support in the functioning of the Dakar Hub EOC.

5. Promote the principles of Global Health for Peace through advocacy, networking, and diplomatic engagements at regional and international forums, emphasizing the importance of health as a key determinant of peace, security, and sustainable development.

6. Design and implement targeted advocacy campaigns and communication initiatives to raise awareness of priority health issues, mobilize political support, and promote evidence-based policies and interventions for improving health outcomes in the Sahel region.

7. Support the conception and implementation of different strategic and innovative projects that will enhance the operational capacities, visibility, and effectiveness of the Dakar hub in the current evolving global and regional public health emergencies eco-system. This includes but is not limited to the implementation of INSERAG actions in the sub-region and other key other initiatives with regional organizations (ECOWAS, ECCAS) academic organizations, scientific societies….

8. Establish a stakeholder engagement framework that identifies key actors, institutions, and networks involved in health diplomacy and emergency management in the Sahel region and outlines strategies for building and sustaining effective partnerships.

Educational Qualifications

Essential

ü University degree in either public health, epidemiology, international relations, diplomacy, health policy, or a related field

Desirable:

ü Advanced university degree (e.g., Master's or Doctorate).in any of the above-listed fields

Experience

Essential

ü A minimum of five years of relevant professional work on the management of major public health programs, operations preferably in African contexts, with a focus on policy, stakeholder analysis and engagement, or similar areas;

ü Proven expertise in supporting, following, and monitoring various support programs including the engagement of partners.

Desirable

ü Prior working experience with WHO, UN agencies, recognized humanitarian organizations, or an international non-governmental organization. Experience or knowledge of import/export and customs administration

Skills/Knowledge

ü Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

ü Excellent analytical skills with the ability to manage people, and activities, and multitask.

ü Working under pressure.

ü Excellent organizational skills with strong problem-solving skills.

ü Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate with and convince officials with tact and diplomacy.

ü Strong analytical and writing skills and ability to synthesize complex information to inform strategic planning and decision-making.

ü Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.

ü Demonstrated diplomacy and teamwork abilities, with a track record of fostering collaboration and achieving results in challenging environments.

ü Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse national, regional, and international stakeholders.

Languages required

Essential

ü Expert knowledge of French is required, and or English.

Desirable

ü Knowledge of another UN official language and languages spoken in the Sahel region would be an asset.

Location

On-site – Dakar, Senegal

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

The Consultant is expected to travel, including for deployments, technical support missions and training activities, according to relevant itineraries and schedules, based on country demand, as requested by Team Lead in the HIR/ Lab Diagnostics and Genomic Surveillance Unit.

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. Visas requirements: it is the Consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance in line with the instructions applicable locally, or up to the maximum of the UN DSA.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B - USD – USD 7000-8480 per month

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited)

A living expense is payable to on-site consultants

Expected duration of contract

3 months initially

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• 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.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

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Added 3 days ago - Updated 4 hours ago - Source: who.int