EPR Emergency Preparadness & Response officer (Responsable Préparation et Réponse aux Urgences sanitaires)

Contract

This is a UNV International Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Expert contracts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region has embarked on new Global Programme of Work (GPW 13). Through these two strategic documents. The region aims to deliver public Health outcomes through an integrated results-based structure; The new focus of our work will be at the country level where we aim to reach the triple billion goal of 1 billion more people covered, 1 billion more protected and 1 billion more healthier populations. In this regard the IN Volonteers can work at the Regional Office, based in the Republic of Congo, Brazzaville, or in any of our 47 country offices. The areas of work that can be covered include: communicable and non communicable diseases, healthier populations, health systems and information, emergency preparedness and response data collection and management, family reproductive health, programme support and administration.

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, the incumbent will have overall responsibility for coordinating the planning, management, adaptation and implementation of strategies and work plans required to for development and maintenance of critical health systems, emergency risk management and IHR capacities, throughout the full cycle of the emergency, at the country level. In coordination with the respective Regional office Emergency Focal Points/desks and HQ emergency focal points/desks the incumbent will support the Ministries of Health, WHO and Partners to strengthen preparedness and response capacities through a multi-hazard, multisectoral approach which is aligned to international frameworks including IHR, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the Interagency Standing Committee (IASC). The incumbent will be deployed to emergency operations when required.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of WHO Representative or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer EPR officer will: During the response to an acute event, the WHE Lead may also been appointed as the event Incident Manager, in which case he/she will also have responsibility for managing the emergency response including provision of strategic leadership to the health sector/cluster response in support of national and local health authorities. This requires building dynamic and efficient teams to bolster WHO’s emergency management and recovery operations, extensive and ongoing contacts with officials and representatives from health cluster partners and other cluster leads and coordinators, other policy staff and technical staff in partner agencies (both within and outside the UN system), senior staff of ministries of health (MOH) and related ministries to advocate and successfully influence national strategies. The incumbent will engage and closely collaborate with WHO senior management, regional office counterparts, heads of WHO country offices and external partners. The incumbent is expected to exercise full judgment in adapting or modifying relevant WHO guidelines and to lead the development of new policies and guidelines to meet particular requirements or changing circumstances. The present position under WHE (which is a single programme across the Organization) may be relocated to another duty station, including at Regional or Country level, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.

Strengthening and testing Emergency Response Systems:

1. Lead WHO’s emergency response program at national or subnational level;
2. Advise the Ministry of Health (MoH) on the establishment/strengthening of an Emergency Management System /Emergency Operation Centre (IMS/EOC) for multi-sectoral emergency response that includes staffing, defined roles/responsibilities and resources for key functional areas. Support the regular testing of the emergency response system through functional exercises at the national and local levels.
3. Coordinate the development, distribution and use of Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) for IMS functions and field activities to manage priority risks (including enhanced surveillance, investigation and rapid response, contact tracing, sampling, infection prevention and control, outbreak vaccination, etc.).
4. Oversee the management and distribution of national medical stockpiles through stockpile management systems.

Strengthening and testing Emergency Management Systems:

5. Coordinate all aspects of the emergency programme, at the country level, to ensure the concerted approach of WHO in the areas of emergency information management, Country preparedness and International Health Regulations (2005), risk assessments and Infectious hazard management.

6. Support national and local health authorities, partner with UN agencies, international, governmental and nongovernmental organizations/institutions, to: • Strengthen the national capability to prepare and respond to health emergencies from all hazards, ensure the required national procedures, skills, coordination mechanisms and health systems are strengthened to manage identified risks. • Assess and map existing and emerging health risks in the country and prepare a national risk profile based on a risk assessment. • Assess health needs of affected populations in cooperation with technical units at RO and HQ level • Assess capacities for emergency management, including preparedness, and develop a national Health Emergency Response Plan. • Review the National Health Plan /National Health Emergency Response Plan as needed, take additional action, including the development of contingency plans for specific high priority risks. • Mobilize and coordinate resources, oversee the operational and strategic planning of the health response plans, identify resource needs and funding gaps; encourage donors to fund the overall health sector response to affected populations.

7. Represent WHO to external stakeholders, including donors and partners, with respect to the country operations. Coordinate with other agencies and I/NGOs through the Health Cluster approach and directly as operational implementing partner.

Operations and Finance:

8. Lead the planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategies, operational and HR plans for the WHO's overall emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities. Manage sensitive issues arising from the emergency.
9. Oversee the development a detailed task-based work plan and budget for implementation of priority activities identified in the National Health Emergency Response Plan. Ensure the country has accessible contingency funds for immediate response to emergencies, including, outbreaks at national and other appropriate sites.
10. Determine staffing needs, ensure the mobilization of the required human resources. Provide leadership, motivation, guidance, and performance management of staff and experts. Take concrete measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all WHO responders.

Monitoring and reporting: 11. In cooperation with other levels of response authorize the release of related information, communications, advocacy products and statements to internal and external partners as well as to the public. 12. Monitor and provide guidance and briefings to senior and elected officials as required, on the progress and implementation of preparedness and operational readiness activities in alignment with the national action plan and throughout the full cycle of the emergency, including financial and implementation tracking, and output/impact monitoring.

Managerial Responsibilities

13. Builds a competent team by securing the best resources, allotting learning opportunities, and providing on-going coaching and feedback. Sets clear performance expectations, delegates effectively, and monitors and measures progress against objectives;

14. To guide, coach, motivate and manage all the WHE Cluster staff under him/her (i.e. Preparedness Officer, IHM Officer and the Programme Assistant) including articulating the vision and goals of this sub-team in the SMO Cluster, ensuring the coordination, monitoring and approval of work plans and mission requests, resolving problems while promoting effective team work and results, within the framework of WHO Staff Rules and Regulations, and AFRO accepted procedures. Managing related budgets within the framework of WHO Staff Rules and Regulations, financial rules and AFRO accepted procedures

15. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Results/expected outputs

• As an active World Health Organization WHO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to World Health Organization WHO and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: Results/Outputs can be modified as appropriate; should not entirely mirror the task description but serve as a basis for workplan and deliverables] o Strengthening and testing Emergency Response Systems o Strengthening and testing Emergency Management Systems o Monitoring and reporting: o Authorize the release of related information, communications, advocacy products and statements to internal and external partners as well as to the public o Monitor and provide guidance and briefings to senior and elected officials as required, on the progress and implementation of preparedness and operational readiness activities in alignment with the national action plan and throughout the full cycle of the emergency, including financial and implementation tracking, and output/impact monitoring.

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Demonstrated knowledge of the rapid response operations and their implementation in emergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations, to lead and direct multidisciplinary and multinational staff.
• Excellent skills in the assessment, monitoring, analysis and evaluation of emergency situations, with the ability to conceptualize and implement innovative strategies and advocate their implementation.
• Authoritative and comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and techniques in international emergency incident management system. • Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks. • Strong operational competencies in managing and coordinating humanitarian program cycle, including efficient human and financial resource management. • Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to World Health Organization WHO Algeria]; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to World Health Organization WHO Algeria procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and World Health Organization WHO in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards World Health Organization WHO ’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the national and international levels, in multi-sectoral coordination, strengthening country capacities and responding to emergencies and disasters, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters or complex emergencies.

Experience in coordinating operational activities in preparedness and response with a range of actors.

Relevant work experience with WHO and/or UN agencies, health cluster partners; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.

L’Algérie est le pays le plus étendu du continent africain, mais aussi du monde arabe et du pourtour méditerranéen, sa partie sud représentant une fraction notable du Sahara. Il partage au total plus de 6 385 km de frontières terrestres avec la Tunisie au nord-est, la Libye à l'est, le Niger au sud-est, le Mali au sud-ouest, la Mauritanie et le Sahara occidental à l'ouest, et enfin le Maroc au nord-ouest. Divisée en 48 circonscriptions administratives appelées localement Wilaya, celle la plus peuplée est Alger capitale du pays. Lieu d’affectation :

Avec près de 3 millions de d’habitants, Alger est de par son statut, sa taille et ses fonctions, la première ville d'Algérie. Elle comprend les plus importantes concentrations au niveau national de populations, d'activités de services, d'équipements, d'infrastructures, de centres de recherche, d'industries et de grands projets urbains. Situé au nord du pays et au bord de la méditerranée, Alger est la capitale politique, administrative et économique du pays. Climat :

Un climat méditerranéen couvre le Nord du pays, tandis qu’un climat désertique règne sur le Sud. À Alger, la température moyenne en été varie entre 25°C et 30°C , alors que pendant l’hivers doux et humide, Alger enregistre une température moyenne de 11°C. Sûreté et sécurité :

Depuis 2019, l’Algérie connaît des mobilisations populaires pacifiques se déroulent régulièrement à Alger centre et dans d’autres willayas. D’importants déploiements sécuritaires sont enregistrés à Alger et dans les principales villes du pays. Même si les manifestations sont pacifiques, il est toujours conseillé d’éviter les zones de rassemblement.

Transport

L’Algérie dispose d'un réseau relativement développé en termes d’infrastructure et de réseau de transport. Bien que les transports en commun soient abondants (Autobus, taxis, métro, tramway), il est toujours conseillé d’opter pour des taxis privés individuels pour les différents trajets dans la ville d’Alger. Santé et services médicaux : A Alger on y trouve des centres médicaux, publics et privés, dont le niveau qualitatif est variable. Il n’existe pas de vaccination spécifique recommandée en Algérie.

Langues : L'arabe et le tamazight sont les langues officielles du pays.

Dans la vie courante, les Algériens arabophones parlent en général un arabe dialectal, le dardja, qui diffère de l'arabe littéral. Le français est également très répandu..