Polio Eradication Programme Roster - Outbreak Response Coordinator

Contract

This is a Multiple grade levels contract. More about Multiple grade levels contracts.

Purpose of the Position

The GPEI Outbreak Coordinator (OC) will be in charge of coordinating the planning, management, adaptation, and implementation of strategies and work plans for responding to poliovirus outbreaks/events. The incumbent will manage the operational and technical components with WHO headquarters, establish clear lines of communications, ensure proper documentation of the incident, including the provision of situation reports and action plans. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the head of the WHO/UNICEF offices, in collaboration with health authorities, and with other health partners. As the GPEI Outbreak Coordinator, he or she also represents the GPEI at the national level, as well as with national and international partners. It is envisioned that the GPEI Outbreak Coordinator is normally deployed for 3 to 6 months with possible extension.

Please note that opportunities exist at P4 and P5 levels.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) aims to protect future generations of children from the threat of polio paralysis. The primary means of achieving this goal is to halt poliovirus transmission in countries where the disease is still endemic and to ensure a rapid and effective response to poliovirus outbreaks in polio-free countries. Reporting to the head of the WHO/UNICEF offices the Outbreak Coordinator constitutes the first and primary organizational component of the GPEI organization structure at the respective level (country or regional). In close coordination with the respective regional office, country office and WHO/HQ and input from the GPEI team, the OC directs and coordinates GPEI overall polio outbreak response activities. He/she provides strategic leadership to the response in support of national and local health authorities and is responsible for all aspects (operational, technical and programmatic) of the GPEI support. The OC will engage and closely collaborate with WHO/UNICEF senior management, regional office counterparts, heads of WHO/UNICEF country offices and external partners.

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.

Summary of assigned duties:

• Represent the GPEI in-country and liaise between the GPEI and partners at county, regional level and international level
• Collaborate with MOH/WHO/UNICEF teams to establish outbreak response structures that include the four components of outbreak response: outbreak investigation, outbreak response immunization, AFP surveillance strengthening, and routine immunization strengthening.
• Develop, in collaboration with MOH/WHO/UNICEF, a national outbreak response strategy and plan, including a budget, chronology of activities, and human resources (HR) surge plan. Continually adjust and adapt the plan as needed.
• Monitor outbreak response and direct feedback to the GPEI and national authorizes on outbreak response progress, challenges and potential solutions.
• Provide strategic and operational oversight of polio outbreak response operations, ensuring that they address the needs of the population and are aligned with the government/Ministry of Health (MOH) plans and strategies and the polio outbreak response SOPs.
• Lead and guide GPEI teams on outbreak response strategies and technical oversight of the response activities.
• Foster close coordination with MOH, in-country health and other partners, and regional offices and HQs and assist in the organization of regular coordination meetings, teleconferences, and updates.
• Collaborate with MOH/WHO/UNICEF teams to produce updates of outbreak response activities (e.g., SITREPS, bulletins, and newsletters) for distribution to relevant partners.
• Collaborate with OPRTT and local partners to organize periodic external outbreak response assessments.
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure the preparation of an overall outbreak response communication plan and the appropriate content of advocacy and messaging strategies.
• Collaborate with the Outbreak Operations Manager to ensure that the logistical aspects of the outbreak response, especially financing and HR, are managed with optimal efficiency.
• Guide development and clear grant proposals and donor reports.

Competencies

• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Communication
• Respecting and promoting cultural differences.
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Promoting WHO's position in health leadership
• Teamwork

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of the emergency public health operations and their implementation particularly in the polio outbreak response settings, 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 polio outbreak response. Thorough knowledge of the polio outbreak response SOPs.
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks.

Education Qualifications

Essential

• An advanced university degree in health-related field, management, emergency, humanitarian, disaster management or related field from an accredited/recognized institute .

Desirable

• Specialized training in polio outbreak managemnet; specific training in humanitarian response.
• Medical degree.

Experience

Essential

For the P4 level

• At least seven (7) years of related experience in emergency management and operations, with proven experience in emergency response. Substantial experience at both national and international levels in leadership positions, capacity-building and their implementation.
• Experience in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships and/or experience in developing countries.
• Substantial experience in efficient human and financial resource management.

For the P5 level

• At least seven (10) years of related experience in emergency management and operations, with proven experience in emergency response. Substantial experience at both national and international levels in leadership positions, capacity-building and their implementation.
• Experience in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships and/or experience in developing countries.
• Substantial experience in efficient human and financial resource management.

Desirable:

• Relevant work experience in polio outbreak management and related strategy development with WHO and/or UN agencies; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.

Use of Language Skills

• Excellent knowledge of English or French (depending on the country of assignment).
• Knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic would be an asset.

Other Skills

Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications

Additional Information

• 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: https://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: https://www.who.int./
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice - https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values
• 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.
• 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 in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.