Emergency 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.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, the incumbent will manage the development of national plans and critical core capacities for all-hazard health emergencies; support the monitoring, evaluation and objective assessment of country core capacities, ensuring the implementation of the International Health Regulations. The incumbent will be deployed to emergency operations when required.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Advise on the development, implementation and evaluation of country strategies and workplans pertaining to the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & International Health Regulations national programme, ensuring compliance with WHO's organization-wide CPI strategies.
• Collect, assess and track the status of technical and financial support to country core capacities, the development of national action plans and the costing to prepare for, detect and mount a rapid and effective response to public health emergencies, address gaps in close collaboration with HQ and the respective Regional Office.
• Ensure the documentation of progress, outcomes and effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation of country capacity and of national action plans related to the implementation of IHR (2005).
• Manage the IHR work related to the required national procedures, skills, information sharing and coordination mechanisms are established and functioning, particularly through an effective National IHR Focal Point.
• Where relevant and in close collaboration with the Country Office, support the provision of data and information required for any IHR-related documents to be presented to WHO Governing bodies, for the work and deliberation of an IHR Emergency Committee or an IHR Review Committee or an IHR technical consultation.
• Implement policies, norms, standards and guidelines to support the development of critical core capacities for global health security, provide training and support to national authorities to develop critical core capacities.
• Promote multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches and activities with key partners, at the country level, such as OIE, FAO, ICAO, UNWTO , to ensure the successful implementation, monitoring and evaluation of capacities in line with IHR (2005) requirements, as well as the identification of financing for country plans.
• As and when required, support the assessment of the performance of national transport, tourism and mass gatherings capacity, the dissemination of practical guidelines and tools to support the enhancement of the national capacities, oversee the effective implementation of national surveillance systems and the implementation of best practices in accordance with IHR (2005) requirements.
• Represent the Country Office at official meetings as needed.
• Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential

Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in a health field or Medical degree.

Desirable

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

Experience

Essential

At least five (5) years of international and national professional experience in planning, developing and implementing health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control, and/or public health programmes. Relevant experience with the inter-agency mechanisms used to coordinate international preparedness for and response to health emergencies, including those most relevant to coordination of health policy and action in health emergencies. Relevant experience in the implementation of International Health Regulations (2005).

Desirable

Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries..

Languages:

Essential: Excellent knowledge of the English.

Desirable: Knowledge of French or other UN language. Working knowledge of local languages

Functional Knowledge and Skills

•Thorough knowledge of International Health Regulations (2005), the epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats, and of issues and practices for disease prevention and control.

•Proven ability to coordinate and manage projects, build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies.

•Sound tactical thinking with the ability to formulate clear comprehensive strategies and plans.

•Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure.

WHO Competencies

1. Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Ensuring the effective use of resources
4. Teamwork.
5. Communication

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

• Proficiency in all MSOffice software applications.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at SLL 367,653 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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 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.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

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

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

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.

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

This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.