Re-advertisement: Temporary Appointment: Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer (Health) (NO-2) for 9 months, Tashkent, Uzbekistan #126948 (Open to Uzbekistan nationals only)

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, protect!

Background: The Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer will be a key member of the Global Health Security (GHS) program, implemented by UNICEF CO in Uzbekistan. The GHS program aims to enhance the Uzbekistan's capacity to effectively respond to multi-hazard emergencies during public health emergencies. The Officer will work closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) to improve emergency preparedness and response systems, conduct strategic risk assessments, and update emergency response plans.

The MoH is responsible for ensuring public health and epidemiological welfare, while the MES plays a critical role in emergency management. The Officer will collaborate with these key government entities to align emergency preparedness and response strategies with national policies and priorities as recommended in the Joint External Evaluation of IHR Core Capacities of Uzbekistan.

The GHS program operates within the framework of the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005, to which Uzbekistan became a signatory in 2012. This ratification signifies Uzbekistan's commitment to promptly notifying the World Health Organization (WHO) about the occurrence and spread of highly dangerous and quarantinable infections. The Officer will contribute to fulfilling these obligations and strengthening the country's compliance with international health regulations.

The organizational context also includes partnerships with other stakeholders involved in emergency management and response. These may include national and international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society groups working in the field of health and emergency preparedness. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer will engage with these partners to foster collaboration, share best practices, and leverage resources for effective emergency response.

The GHS program operates in the context of increased cross-border movement of people, livestock, and goods in the Central Asian Region due to globalization. This poses challenges in terms of the potential spread of highly contagious and dangerous infections and epidemics. Additionally, environmental changes, such as the drying up of the Aral Sea, have expanded the natural foci of plague. The Officer will consider these contextual factors when developing and implementing emergency preparedness and response activities.

Job organizational context: Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer (Health) - The organizational context provides a framework for the Officer to work collaboratively with key government entities, stakeholders, and international partners to strengthen Uzbekistan's capacity to respond to health emergencies and mitigate risks.

Purpose for the job: The purpose of this position is to provide expertise and leadership in implementing activities related to emergency preparedness and response under Activity A. Strengthening emergency preparedness and response capacity of MoH and MES for early identification and response to multi-hazard emergencies of the GHS program. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer (Health) will guide the development and implementation of comprehensive risk assessments, resource mapping, and the update of multi-hazard emergency preparedness and response plans. The role will also involve coordinating with relevant stakeholders, facilitating capacity-building initiatives under the GHS programme. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer (Health) reports to the Emergency, Climate Change and DRR Officer / Deputy Representative with support from the Health Officer.

Key function, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks:

1. Emergency Risk Assessment: Provide support in conducting strategic risk assessments to identify hazards, vulnerabilities, and capacities within the Global Health Security programme. Analyze the impact on public health and provide recommendations for enhancing emergency preparedness and response.
2. Resource Mapping: Closely collaborate with consultants in comprehensive resource mapping to identify available resources and gaps at district, national, and regional levels. Document medical facilities, equipment, trained personnel, and logistics support for effective emergency response.
3. Update Emergency Response Plan of the MES and MoH: Facilitate the review and revision of the multi-hazard emergency preparedness and response plan based on risk assessment findings and resource mapping results. Ensure clear guidelines, coordination mechanisms, and strategies for early identification and response.
4. Stakeholder Coordination and Capacity Building: Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including MoH and MES, to ensure their active participation in emergency preparedness and response. Provide technical guidance, training, and workshops to build capacity in emergency planning and implementation.
5. Reporting and Documentation: Prepare progress reports on activities, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. Maintain accurate documentation and contribute to program monitoring and evaluation efforts.
6. Recruitment of Consultants: In addition to the above functions, the role may also involve participating in the recruitment process for hiring consultants or experts with specialized knowledge and skills related to emergency preparedness and response. Develop accurate Terms of Reference (ToR) for hiring consultants or experts with specialized knowledge and skills related to emergency preparedness and response of the MoH and MES.

Key Functions, Accountabilities, and Related Duties/Tasks:

Coordinate and facilitate Emergency Risk Assessment within the GHS programme:

1. Guide and support the team of consultants in conducting a strategic emergency risk assessment to identify potential hazards, vulnerabilities, and capacities for effective emergency response.
2. Support the analysis and evaluation of the impact of identified hazards on public health.
3. Assist in developing a comprehensive report outlining the findings of the risk assessment.
4. Provide recommendations for enhancing emergency preparedness and response based on the assessment outcomes.

Resource Mapping:

1. Lead the process of mapping available resources and capacities at district, national, and regional levels.
2. Support the identification and documentation of existing resources such as medical facilities, equipment, trained personnel, and logistics support relevant to emergency response.
3. Offer expertise in identifying gaps and areas that require improvement for better preparedness and response.
4. Review and provide input on detailed resource mapping reports highlighting the inventory of available resources.

Update Multi-Hazard Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan:

1. Guide and facilitate the review and revision of the existing multi-hazard emergency preparedness and response plan in alignment with risk assessment findings and resource mapping results.
2. Provide support in incorporating clear guidelines, procedures, and coordination mechanisms into the updated plan to enhance collaboration between the MoH and the MES.
3. Assist in strengthening strategies for early identification and response to multi-hazard emergencies, ensuring the plan aligns with best practices and international standards.
4. Facilitate the dissemination and adoption of the updated plan among relevant stakeholders, helping to build consensus and promote effective implementation.

Stakeholder Coordination and Capacity Building:

1. Collaborate closely with MoH, MES, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure their active participation in emergency preparedness and response activities.
2. Provide technical guidance and support to build the capacity of MoH and MES personnel in emergency response planning and implementation.
3. Assist in designing and delivering training sessions and workshops on emergency preparedness, fostering knowledge-sharing and skill development.
4. Foster partnerships and coordination with national and international organizations working in the field of emergency management.

Reporting and Documentation:

1. Prepare regular progress reports as well as guide the team in preparing regular progress reports, ensuring they accurately reflect the implementation of activities, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
2. Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of all relevant activities, reports, and communication materials.
3. Contribute to program monitoring and evaluation efforts by collecting data and providing inputs for performance assessments.

Impact of Results:

The successful achievement of the tasks outlined in the JD for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer will have a transformative impact on UNICEF's efforts in Uzbekistan. By effectively conducting risk assessments and resource mapping, the Officer will contribute to the identification of key vulnerabilities and gaps in the country's emergency response capacity. This, in turn, will enable UNICEF to strategically allocate resources and provide targeted support to improve emergency preparedness. The updated multi-hazard emergency preparedness and response plan, developed under the guidance of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer, will enhance coordination and collaboration among relevant stakeholders, including UNICEF, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Ultimately, the impact of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer's results will strengthen UNICEF's role in supporting Uzbekistan's health emergency management efforts, contributing to the overall well-being and resilience of children and their families in times of crisis.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• The candidate should hold a bachelor (mandatory) or master’s (preferably) degree in a relevant field such as public and global health, health administration and management, environmental sciences, social science, emergency management, disaster risk reduction, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: emergency preparedness and response, risk assessment, emergency planning, stakeholder coordination, project management, and implementation of emergency response programs or any other relevant professional work experience.
• A proven track record of at least three years in managing emergency related fields, showcasing their adaptability in diverse contexts, and applying best practices in emergency management or a related field.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Uzbek and Russian is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Candidates who applied before do not need to reapply.