Roster for Health Emergencies and Disaster Risk Management Officer

Contract

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

Overview of the programme

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at better protecting the population against health emergencies, including better preparedness for and response to all hazards.

WHO country office works with Government and other partners in strengthening Emergency Medical Care, especially in the areas of emergency services and medical- trauma care, pre-hospital care, lifesaving skills, National Emergency Medical Teams, Health and Disaster Risk Management (HDRM) and other related technical areas, which also are prominent areas of WHO work globally.

This includes ensuring a strong emergency management system (based on incident management), effective and inclusive coordination mechanisms, joint assessments and planning by partners, implementation of response operations and services according to agreed standards, resilient health infrastructure and service delivery during emergencies, and strong logistics and operational support. The expansion and strengthening of operational partnerships are a key priority.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.9 billion people, with India’s population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste) share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of people in India by supporting the government in prevention and control of communicable and no-communicable diseases, emergency preparedness and response and strengthening health systems.

Description of Duties:

The purpose of this position is to provide strategic technical support to the Health Security and Emergency (HSE) team and Govt of India Offices as per need under the direction of WCO India.

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of Team Lead (HSE) and direct supervision of NPO (Emergency Preparedness & Risk Management), S/he will have the following responsibilities, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties in her/his assigned area of work:

1. Support national and state authorities in planning, coordinating, and implementing of activities related to HEDRM and DRR, public health preparedness and response to all hazards in line with Regional Strategic Roadmap on Health Security & Health Systems Resilience for Emergencies.
2. Support national IHR stakeholders at institutional level in building and testing their capacities for epidemic events, disasters, and other public health emergencies (focusing on IHR core capacities including multi-stakeholder coordination, chemical and radio nuclear emergencies).
3. Engage with Health Disaster Coordinators, DRR experts, collaborative centers at state level in advancing projects related to Health emergencies and DRM as well as long term and systematic resilience building.
4. Support in designing and implementing initiatives to contextualize WHO global and regional strategies, guidance and methodologies to national context and institutionalize this mechanism.
5. Enable the mainstreaming of cross-cutting themes of gender, ethnicity, disability, and equity into the work of the Health Emergencies Department.
6. Support developing IEC materials, training material, drills and exercises and technical content for emergency preparedness and response.
7. Contribute to research, data analysis, risk assessment, situation analysis and report writing.
8. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including deployment for emergency operations and response.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Essential: University degree in Medicine or nursing or emergency paramedics complemented by specialized training in public health or related field or equivalent in related field from a recognized institution/university.

Desirable: Specialization in Public Health, emergency medicine and/or disaster management, Trainings in leadership and management, or experience of working in diverse backgrounds will be considered as an asset.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Experience:

Essential: At least 1 year of proven experience, including considerable experience obtained in or in public health emergencies or disasters.

Desirable: Working experience with UN agencies, government agencies and affiliates at the national and state level, IT / GIS skills and experience of working with technology-based products, designing and analytics skills will be an advantage.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Moving Forward in Changing Environment

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of local language will be an asset. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports and presentation.

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.