Emergency Preparedness & Response Officer

Contract

This is a NO-C contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about NO-C contracts.

Purpose of the Post:

The incumbent will provide technical assistance to the health authorities and other relevant stakeholders, supporting WHO programmes on emergency preparedness and response and so strengthening national core capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR).

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

Organizational Context (Describe the work environment, the role of the individual within the team – team member, specialist, adviser, facilitator, coordinator/manager, representative, expert, authority in the field, etc.; available guidelines and degree of independence in decision making, and nature and purpose of contact within and outside the Organization):

Reporting to the WHO Emergency Preparedness & Response (EPR) Lead and under the leadership of the WHO Country Representative, the incumbent will support the development, implementation, and monitoring of country strategies required throughout the full cycle of the emergency. The incumbent is expected to adapt or modify relevant WHO guidelines to meet particular requirements or changing circumstances in close coordination with the respective Regional Office and HQ. S/he will engage with the local authorities, UN partners and non-health actors to establish partnerships in respect of multi-dimensional CPI activities.

Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected):

In particular, the incumbent will:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Represent WHO in inter-agency meetings and external forums related to WHO epidemics and emergency preparedness and response.

Competencies (Describe the core, management or leadership competencies required - See WHO competency model – list in order of priority, commencing with the most important ones – identify a minimum of three and a maximum of five competencies):

1. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

2. Teamwork

3. Communication

4. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Functional Skills and Knowledge (Describe skills and knowledge specific to the post):

• Knowledge of the principles and programmes of emergency preparedness and response

• Knowledge of International Health Regulations (IHR)

• Knowledge of the global frameworks for disaster risk reduction

• The development and coordination of health policy, strategic and operational interventions in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery with a range of actors.

• Technical knowledge and skills in planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.

• Excellent oral and writing skills, including for reports, oral presentations and technical documents.

• Excellent skills in data analysis and communicating results

Education (Qualifications):

Essential: An advanced university degree in epidemiology, public health or another relevant field.

A first degree in a relevant medical field including medicine, public health, environmental health, nursing, clinical medicine or another medical field.

Desirable: Specialized training in emergency/humanitarian response. Post-graduate degree in epidemiology, public health or a public health-related discipline from an accredited/recognized institute.

Experience:

Essential: A minimum of five years of work experience relevant to the position (in public health; planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of epidemic and emergency preparedness response activities in a developing country and/or at regional level; strengthening country capacities and response to emergencies and disasters, including infectious disease outbreaks) at the national level.

Experience in working partnerships for health policy and strategic and operational interventions in emergency preparedness, response or recovery, especially in a developing country setting

Desirable: Experience in or knowledge of WHO mandate and goals and/or experience with United Nations funds and programmes.

Languages:

Essential: Excellent knowledge of the local language. Working knowledge of English

Desirable: Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

Knowledge of office software applications.

Knowledge of at least one data analysis software applications