Health Emergency Support Officer

Objectives of the Programme

The Pacific Health Security and Communicable Diseases unit covers two main areas of work – (1) WHO’s Health Emergencies Program (WHE), and (2) communicable diseases (CD). The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

WHE 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. WHE 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. To strengthen countries' capacities as well as a regional alert and response system to ensure public health security through prevention, preparedness planning, early detection, timely risk assessment and rapid response to emerging diseases, public health events and emergencies.

Organizational context

The incumbent works under overall guidance of the WHO Representative for the South Pacific/Director, Pacific Technical Support (DPS), and Team Coordinator, Pacific Health Security and Communicable Diseases (PSC), in collaboration with colleagues in DPS and other teams, counterparts at the regional office, HQ, other and regional partners.

The incumbent will assist in the coordination of WHO programmes on epidemic and emergency preparedness and response and ensure the provision of technical assistance to the health authorities and other relevant stakeholders so as to strengthen national preparedness, response, and core capacities under International Health Regulation (IHR 2005), for emerging infectious diseases. This will contribute to the mission of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE), which is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. WHO provides guidance and technical support in organizing the humanitarian health response following multi-hazard emergencies and in revitalizing the capacity of the health sector to rebuild and recover from multi-hazard emergencies in an appropriate and sustainable manner. The works will specifically cover on Fiji.

Summary of Assigned Duties

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.
● Work in coordination with all technical focal points at regional and headquarters levels, under the guidance of the head of the WHO country office.
● Provide technical assistance to national authorities and to the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) programme, at the country level, to enhance the national capability in preparedness and response to emerging infectious diseases, outbreaks, and health emergencies from all hazards.
● Technically support the concerted approach of WHO in the areas of Emergency Risk Management, Country Preparedness and International Health Regulations, Risk & Situation Assessments, and Infectious Hazards Management.
● Utilize national insights to collaborate with and support relevant ministries and other stakeholders to undertake gap analyses in relevant areas of work for emergency preparedness and management and support the development/revision of national strategies and a national multi-hazard, health emergency preparedness and response plan.
● Technically support the preparation of a national risk profile, assessing and mapping existing and emerging national health risks as well as populations vulnerable to, or affected by, prioritized risks, their coping capacities and health needs.
● Contribute to the coordination of the identification of resource needs and funding gaps for health-sector risk reduction, preparedness and response for vulnerable / affected populations, advocating with and mobilizing required resources from partners and donors.
● Support the assessment of capacities and national, competency development systems, and the planning and implementation of appropriate measures and training for strengthening core capacities under International Health Regulations (2005) including to manage identified risks; effectively monitor and evaluate processes, outcomes and the impact of response and recovery interventions.
● Support the national health authorities and partners in the establishment or strengthening of emergency health care systems to ensure the provision of a range of critical emergency health care services.
● Contribute to the knowledge capture from policy, strategic and field interventions, and ensure its dissemination.
● Represent WHO in inter-agency meetings and external forums related to WHO epidemics and emergency preparedness and response.

Recruitment Profile

Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting & promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Building and promoting partnership across the Organization and beyond
5. Promoting the Organization’s position in health Leadership

Education Qualifications

Essential: A university degree (bachelor’s) in a relevant field (such as medicine, epidemiology or public health).

Desirable: Training in applied epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of two years of work experience relevant to the position (in public health, preferably in epidemic or emergency preparedness and response activities in a developing country), at the national level. Experience in working partnerships for health policy and strategic and operational interventions in emergency preparedness, response, or recovery especially in a developing country setting.

Desirable: Experience in activities to strengthen country capacities and response to health emergencies and disasters. Knowledge of WHO mandate and goals and/or experience with United Nations funds and programmes.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

● The principles and programmes of epidemic and emergency preparedness and response
● Knowledge of International Health Regulations (IHR)
● Knowledge and skills to contribute to health policy, strategic and operational interventions in emergency preparedness, response and recovery with a range of actors.
● Planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.
● Excellent oral and writing skills, including for reports, oral presentations, and technical documents.

Use of Language Skills
Expert knowledge of English language.

Other Skills (e.g. IT): Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at FJD 88,444 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
• Only Fiji nationals are eligible to apply for this position.

• 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.

• 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 shws@who.int.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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