Technical Officer (Preparedness)

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 164,656 USD and 212,289 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 WHO 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 all hazard emergencies, as described under the IHR (2005) 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 health 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.

The Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) Programme Area is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of countries’ preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning and country capacity building for critical capacities and the Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005). CPI has an all-hazards approach and involves all three levels of the Organization.

Within CPI, the Preparedness, Readiness and Core capacity (PCB) Unit provides technical support to countries and WHO country offices in their effort for all hazards preparedness and readiness for outbreaks and emergencies and to strengthen intersectoral national capacity for the early detection, timely and effective response, to all public health emergencies as required under the International Health Regulations (2005). Working closely with the other WHE staff, the PCB Unit ensures that needs listed in national action plans are translated into targeted capacity building in the priority/vulnerable countries and serving national and subnational needs.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the leadership of Regional Emergencies Director, the overall guidance of Programme Area Manager, CPI, and reporting to the Team Lead PCB as the first line supervisor, the incumbent is assigned the following responsibilities:

1. Provide technical assistance and advice on the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans on all-hazard preparedness, at the regional and country level, in collaboration with other WHE programmes as well as other Divisions.

2. Conduct risk and vulnerability assessments and monitor countries IHR Core Capacities and all hazards preparedness for outbreaks and emergencies, in collaboration with the CME team and in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR).

3. Provide technical assistance and advice to countries to develop/update and implement all-hazard emergency preparedness plans in order to rapidly fill crucial gaps in disaster risk management and in surveillance and response core capacities required under the International Health Regulations (2005).

4. Develop and update training materials and implement capacity building activities for Member States and WHO Staff; plan and conduct simulation exercises to enhance their all-hazard preparedness in close collaboration with relevant regional office divisions, country offices and HQ.

5. Provide input to the formulation of organization-wide policies, standards and guidelines on emergency risk management, and facilitate and monitor their adaptation and implementation at the country level.

6. Develop and update technical tools (guidance documents, training materials, etc.) and implement capacity and capability activities to ensure health service delivery during and after emergencies for Member States.

7. Work closely with the Technical Officer, Readiness, and contribute to all relevant WHO readiness activities.

8. Support other WHE programme areas, as needed and perform other related responsibilities, including replacing and/or backstopping. .

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in a health-related field or Medical degree complemented by a post-graduate degree in public health or public health-related discipline.

Desirable: Specialized training in emergency/disaster preparedness and response, specialized training in epidemiology.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 7 years’ experience in emergency preparedness and response work, of which at least 3 at international level. • Proven experience with country preparedness activities including development of SOPs, training and simulations. • Experience with capacity building and applying institutional learning.

Desirable:

• Experience of work with relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. • Field experience in emergency response programmes especially in vulnerable countries. • Experience of working in international organizations or United Nations and partner agencies.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the UN and humanitarian systems for emergency response and preparedness and of humanitarian fundraising.
• Thorough knowledge of International Health Regulations (IHR), the epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats, and of issues and practices for disease prevention and control
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate plans to address challenges and risks.
• Proven capacity to lead and deliver on deadlines during periods of intense stress and activity.

Skills:

• Ability to negotiate across multiple teams and agencies to common purpose.
• Demonstrated capacity to organize, monitor and synthesize information quickly and concisely.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with solid writing and editing experience.
• Demonstrated capacity to adjust to changing requirements.
• The ability to independently organise and implement regional, sub-regional and national trainings and consultations in coordination with WHO Country Offices
• Ability to work as team player with excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to diverse audience within and outside the health sector, including to high level stakeholders

Four competencies are considered to be mandatory for all WHO staff with managerial responsibilities: “Teamwork”, “Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences”, “Communication” and “Creating an empowering and motivating environment”.

WHO Competencies

1) Teamwork

2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

3) Communication

4) Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

5) Producing Results

Use of Language Skills:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Russian, German or other WHO official languages

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 77,326 (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 6,443 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.