Technical Officer - GOARN Operations

Overview

Coordinate GOARN operations and support emergency responses

You have:

• First University degree in public health, medicine, bioscience or any other related fields from an accredited/recognized institution
• At least five years of experience in Emergency Response, of which 2 at the international level
• Experience of working in programme planning, monitoring and evaluation
• Experience of partnership coordination
• Experience in working with WHO, UN, or other multilateral/humanitarian organization
• Expert knowledge of English
• Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian and German

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 130,188 USD and 170,471 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Division of Health Emergencies (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

The WHE Division brings together and enhances WHO's operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. The Programme is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Technical Officer, GOARN Operations will work within the Emergency Operations Program Area of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme at the Regional Office for Europe, and closely with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network Operational Support Team (GOARN-OST) at the WHO headquarters to coordinate and supervise the implementation of activities aimed at further regionalization of GOARN activities. The post will support strengthening strategic leadership and capacity of the Regional Office to coordinate with GOARN partner institutions during the response to outbreaks and other emergencies. The post will also provide continuous technical advice to Country Offices and Government counterparts to strengthen national and sub-national capacities in developing and implementing policies, strategies, tools, and capacities in relation to GOARN.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

Under the guidance of the Partnerships Manager, (WHE/EMO) the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities:

• Support strengthening the GOARN Governance in the WHO European Region:

  • Working closely with the Partnerships Manager on leading the regionalization of the Global GOARN strategy through the alignment with priorities outlined in EPW, GPW13, HEPR, and other strategic WHO documents.
  • Support the Partnerships Manager in expanding the GOARN in the WHO European Region through the identification of national, regional and international institutions to join and further strengthen partnership activities on national and regional levels in close cooperation with WHO headquarters.
  • Strengthen collaboration with technical networks and WHO Collaborating Centers aimed at supporting GOARN activities in the WHO European Region and beyond.
  • Strengthen strategic partnerships and interoperability with operational partners of WHO: EMTs, Global Health Cluster, Standby Partners, etc.
  • Organize regular regional meetings of the GOARN partner institutions in the WHO European Region.
  • Monitor, document, evaluate and report on the implementation of GOARN workplans, outcomes and demonstrated value, anticipating problems, and highlighting issues and recommending improvements.
  • Oversee and support to Operational Research through building a robust community of practice of GOARN partners dedicated to identifying and implementing the most effective and engaged evidence-based response.
  • Contribute to broader policies, strategies, operational plans, and standard operating procedures

• Provide technical advice to Country Offices and Government counterparts in creating innovative solutions for better response:

  • Lead mapping, rostering, and operationalizing of existing national and sub-regional Rapid Response Capacities (RRCs) of GOARN aimed to improve the detection, alert, and response in outbreaks and other emergencies.
  • Support the Partnerships Manager in coordinating the implementation of activities and strengthening strategic leadership and capacity of the Regional Office in the Rapid Response Mobile Laboratories (RRML/GOARN) Initiative, including the development and implementation of the Minimum Operational Standards, as well as conceptualizing of a recognition system for RRMLs, and strengthening European RRML Network.
  • Contribute to the strengthening of GOARN digitalization as a foundation for effective knowledge and information management system, aimed at supporting monitoring of GOARN activities across main areas of its work and evaluation of operational response in the field.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of the GOARN training package, including the Simulation Exercise training programme for RRMLs.

• Deployment to emergencies when required to provide support in the coordination of GOARN response operations:

  • Liaise with health actors and partners to rapidly identify and support the deployment of the experts and teams from GOARN partner institutions and technical networks to support outbreak and emergency response activities.
  • Lead the localizing of the GOARN response operations by strengthening sub-regional and local GOARN capacities among partners in WHE priority countries and subregional WHE Hubs

• Raise awareness about GOARN across Member States and partners in the WHO European Region and beyond:

  • Contribute to the development and implementation of the advocacy materials and tools (e.g., Website) to showcase GOARN vision, values, and role in the emergency response.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

First University degree in public health, medicine, bioscience or any other related fields from an accredited/recognized institution.

Desirable:

Education or training in health emergencies Advanced degree in public health, medicine, or bioscience or other relevant fields from an accredited/recognized institution

Experience

Essential:

At least five years of experience in Emergency Response, of which 2 at the international level. Experience of working in programme planning, monitoring and evaluation. Experience of partnership coordination. Experience in working with WHO, UN, or other multilateral/humanitarian organization.

Desirable:

Knowledge of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN)

Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in operational support responses to epidemics and other public health emergencies and events management.
• Sound analytical, planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, obtain results while and adhering to tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Tact, diplomacy and courtesy when working in multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Proven skills in public health rapid response capacities. In depth knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries in the European Region. Ability and willingness to work in a team with other health professionals and motivate people of different nationalities and cultures. Knowledge of standard text, spreadsheet and presentation software applications. Knowledge of the WHO and UN system would be an asset

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Producing results
• Communication
• Promoting innovation and organizational training
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian and German

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 64,121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3815 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• 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 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.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world. Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged. *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

Potential interview questions