Unit Lead (Public Health & IHR/Preparedness)

Contract

This is a NO-C contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 4,411 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 WHO Country Office supports the Member State to shape its health policy in line with WHO's principles and values; and advocates for an integrated approach to health development. By means of a single, unified and functionally integrated country representation, WHO facilitates the implementation of the Biannual Collaborative Agreement (BCA) with the Member State and its corresponding country work plan. WHO helps the country to improve its health system and provides technical support as necessary.

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. Within WHE, Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) unit 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. CPI prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low capacity countries.

The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy developments and implementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course.

The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights and gender mainstreaming in health.

The unit will work to support the delivery of programmes and initiatives within countries by building capacity for the development of policies and practices that are grounded in evidence and factual information, informed by civil society and multi-stakeholder engagement at national, regional and local levels within countries. The unit will provide strategic and technical leadership on all aspects of the public health policy development and implementation cycle, linking upstream determinants of health and inter-sectoral governance for health with downstream health services.

In line with the EPW, the unit will have a particular focus on supporting health authorities to strengthen their capacities in assessing and addressing concrete governance challenges to improve transparency and accountability mechanisms within the health system. It will also work to strengthen effective leadership and engagement with other policy sectors and to engage with civil society to build trust and support for public health policies and health systems investment.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) and the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) at the national level:

The incumbent provides technical support to health authorities and partners and coordinates WHO activities in the country, supporting the development and implementation of national plans and critical core capacities for public health and all-hazard health emergencies; as well as supporting activities related to the monitoring, evaluation and objective assessment of public health and IHR country core capacities, ensuring the implementation of the International Health Regulations.

The incumbent provides strategic and technical leadership on all aspects of the public health policy development and implementation cycle, linking upstream determinants of health and inter-sectoral governance for health with downstream health services. In line with the EPW, the unit will have a particular focus on supporting health authorities to strengthen their capacities in assessing and addressing concrete governance challenges to improve transparency and accountability mechanisms within the health system. It will also work to strengthen effective leadership and engagement with other policy sectors and to engage with civil society to build trust and support for public health policies and health systems investment.

Under the overall guidance of Head of WHO Country Office and the direct supervision of WHE Team Lead, the incumbent is assigned the following responsibilities:

1. Lead a team of staff members and consultants assigned to specific technical areas relevant to the public health and IHR/preparedness unit.Coordinate the implementation of WHO activities in the area of Public Health Development, Country Health Emergency Preparedness, IHR including providing support to the Ministry of Health and other sectors in activities which include:

2. • Collaborating the Ministry of Health in developing/updating national implementation mechanisms for the public health law of Ukraine
   • Act as main WHO focal point for interactions with the Government and EURO in public health workforce development
   • Develop/update national emergency preparedness and response plans;
   • Manage the WHO health security portfolio in Ukraine, including the one-health programme and the definition and implementation of strategies and programmes for prevention and mitigation of high-threats pathogens;
   • Act as main WHO focal point for interactions with the Government, EURO and other relevant institutions in regards to environmental health;
   • Create and update the Country Office's contingency and business continuity plans as well as assisting MoH in creating and updating their national contingency plans;
   • Provide assistance in risk assessments, and critical core capacities for all-hazard health emergencies;
   • Lead the monitoring, evaluation and objective assessment of country core capacities, ensuring the implementation of the International Health Regulations.
   • Lead implementation of a WHO country office strategy on Gender, Equity, and Rights (GER).
3. Under close technical guidance and supervision of the Team lead, provide technical assistance at country level on priority issues such as: EU integration, emergency preparedness, surveillance and response; strengthening health systems, operational readiness and essential public health functions.
4. Engage with UN emergency teams, where relevant and in close collaboration with the Regional Office, support the provision of data and information required for any WHE- and CPS-related documents to be presented to WHO Governing bodies, for the work and deliberation of an IHR Emergency Committee or an IHR Review Committee or a technical consultation.
5. Promote partnerships in the country with relevant health stakeholders, to ensure the successful implementation, monitoring and evaluation of capacities in line with IHR (2005) requirements, as well as the identification of financing for WHO country plans in the public health and IHR/preparedness functional areas.
6. Link with institutions, associations and non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches.
7. Conduct preparations of missions to the country and support consultants in country.
8. Assist the Head of WHO Country Office in all managerial, administrative and liaison activities with the Regional Office and support the effective implementation of all WHO activities in the country in public health and IHR/preparedness functional areas, as elaborated in the BCA, CCS or other WHO action plans.
9. Perform other related responsibilities, including replacing and/or backstopping.
10. Support other WHE or CPS programme areas, as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: University degree in medicine, a health - related field and/or public health-related discipline. Desirable: Masters degree or post graduate training in Public Health or relevant health related areas. Specialized training in emergency/disaster preparedness and response.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Essential: Minimum five years of national professional experience in planning, developing and implementing programmes/projects in the area of health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control, and/or public health programmes. Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Relevant experience in the implementation of International Health Regulations (2005).

SKILLS

• Knowledge of Public health and International Health Regulations (2005), the epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats, and of issues and practices for disease prevention and control.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure.
• Knowledge of the UN and development systems and/or humanitarian systems for emergency response and preparedness.

COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Producing Results
• Creating an empowering and motivating a changing environment

LANGUAGES

Essential: Expert knowledge of English, Ukrainian and Russian.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of official WHO EURO languages.

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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• 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.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected]
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.
• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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