National Consultant - Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC)

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

Objective of the programme

The objective of the programme is to deliver WHO Core functions at country level with a particular focus on the Organization’s directing and coordinating role for international health as expressed in the Constitution. The immediate Objective is to develop and sustain WHO as a flexible, learning Organization, enabling it to carry out its mandate more efficiently and effectively.

As part of strengthening the humanitarian development nexus, WHO and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed an agreement to implement a Health and Gender Support project (HGSP) with the overall objective for WHO to manage the HGSP's investments on building capacity with respect to: (i) the management of Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) from community up to district levels at all levels of care; (ii) diagnostic capacity on tuberculosis (TB); (iii) management of environmental risk factors(including health care waste) at and beyond the health facilities; (iv) strengthen laboratory facilities and safe blood transfusions; (v) preparedness and response to health emergencies from community to district Upazila levels; and (vi) strengthened coordination among different stakeholders within all Upazilas in Cox's Bazar

This individual will support the programme by providing technical support to the Civil Surgeon Office and in close and consultation with Health and Gender Support Project Focal person at WHO Emergency Sub Office and the Head of Sub Office.

Description of duties:

The incumbent will provide support through performing of the following duties (not limited to):

• Support the CSO to activate and manage the Control Room /Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) when required. Manage the day-to-day operations of the HEOC, ensure that all the HEOC’s functionality, systems, hardware, software, and staff support are well maintained and operational especially throughout the full cycle of an emergency.
• Ensure staff capacity building through training on HEOC Concept, development of SOPs for use in HEOC coordination and continuous engagement with national HEOC and relevant networks.
• Provide technical and operational support to the District Civil Surgeon’s Office in the coordinating health emergency preparedness, surveillance and response including planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Early Warnings and Alert Systems Response (EWARS) expansion within the host population in Cox’s Bazar District.
• Daily monitoring of health data and media sources to detect any potential or evolving public health hazards/emergencies; and received, collect, analyse and report situatioal information/public health emergency data to CSO, WHO and/or relevant health sector partners for cation.
• Closely coordinate with the WHO Cox’s Bazar Disaster Risk Reduction Unit/Emergency Preparedness and Response National consultant with attention to contingency and response plans.
• Provide technical support to the CSO in the planning and implementation of health services, programmes and strengthening of health systems in Cox’s Bazar both for FDMN and host communities. This will include but be not limited to strengthening health services delivery, governance/policy development, financing, essential medicines, health information management, human resources etc. As and when required by the CS office, undertake travel to camps/ host community settlements to ensure coordination and field monitoring.
• Liaise with respective units of CSO (public health, health logistics, service delivery) and WHO Sub office (epidemiology and health information, IVD, health operations, OSL, health sector). Support WHO in organizing review and management meetings with the CS and senior authorities.
• Coordinate with Health Sector (including different working groups, WASH, and nutrition), Joint Assessment Teams and Rapid Response Teams to provide regular technical updates to the CS
• Provide support in strengthening reporting, monitoring and evaluation of DHIS-2, EWARS and other critical health information systems/databases.
• With permission from Civil Surgeon, provide support to relevant field assessments, evaluations/studies in the camps/host community and participate in the interagency monitoring visits.
• Support CSO coordination with DGHS coordination center and RRRC.
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations and talking points for CS before any meetings/ workshops/trainings. Support in documenting the meetings and workshop proceedings as and when required support CS office in better documentation related to best practices and for public communication activities
• Share information between CSO and WHO Sub Office and update the Team Leads and WHO Head of Sub Office on ongoing and planned activities. Developing briefings to the CS, the Incident Manager Team/ WSO and relevant health sector partners.
• Laisse or provide support to the Crises and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) team for the FDMN and the host communities to create awareness, outreach and social mobilization.
• Perform other related duties deemed necessary for the CSO and WHO Sub Office as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Essential:

• First degree i.e., MBBS or four years bachelor’s degree in relevant field from a recognized University, and
• Postgraduate / Master’s degree in MPH or relevant field health from a recognized University.

Desirable: Special Training on Health Emergency Operation.

Experience:

Essential: At least 5 years’ experience in Public Health programming, Epidemiological Surveillance, or information management

Desirable:

• Experience in programme, research, or programme support in UN agency, International Organization, NGO, Multinational Company, etc.
• At least 1 year working experience in Cox’s Bazar
• Experience in Oracle-based or other ERP system would be an added advantage

Skills:

• Functional Knowledge and Skills:
• Ability to carry out a wide variety of tasks
• Ability to take notes and prepare draft documents/correspondence
• Proficiency in MS Office software (i.e. word processing, excel, outlook, power point, access etc.)
• Experience in GSM/Oracle-based or other ERP system is desirable
• Knowledge of public health system and services in Bangladesh
• Organizational skills: deadline compliance, proactive action
• He/she keeps abreast of changes in procedures and practices, rules and regulations, organizational structure, in the department, the cluster and WHO, to be able to brief others and explain procedures.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.

Computer Literacy:

Proficient in using of computer application software: MS - Office

Salary & others benefits:

WHO offers locally competitive packages such as:

• Monthly salary: BDT 153,695.00 (SSA – 8, Step I) (non-negotiable)
• Insurance, Leave and Holidays as per WHO rules.

Additional Information:

• This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and interviews will be used as a form of screening
• 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 a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• 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.
• Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.