PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster for WHO Health Emergency Programme (WHE), Nepal. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for the assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a SSA contract. There is no commitment on either side.

Objective of the Programme:

The objective of the WHO Nepal Country Office is to implement the Country Cooperation Strategy by supporting the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Government of Nepal (GoN) in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national health policies, strategies and plans and developing and managing WHO's technical cooperation programmes at the country level. The Country Office collaborates with the Government of Nepal and relevant stakeholders in support of their efforts of achieving national health goals; of ensuring the attainment of universal health coverage and of contributing to global and regional public health action by providing need-based technical assistance in national level policy formulation, setting norms and standards, improving knowledge dissemination and management, monitoring country health situation and building sustainable institutional capacity, to play a greater leadership role in different national level policy technical forums. 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 recover and rebuild from emergencies in appropriate and sustainable ways. In the inter-emergency period the objectives are to increase the capacity and resilience of the Nepal Health System to reduce risk, prevent and prepare for disasters, to mitigate adverse health consequences, through supporting the Emergency Risk Management interventions prioritized in the national plan for the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030); and the health security interventions for enhancement of core capacities required to comply with the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 as prioritized in the National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS), and National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NPPRP).WHO strives to integrate and harmonize the actions undertaken for enhanced ERM and Health Security with the interventions implemented to achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and health systems strengthening through appropriate capacity building and co-ordination mechanisms and partnerships. The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) supports the MoHP, GoN to direct and coordinate the rapid provision of life-saving emergency health interventions at scale in the aftermath of multi-hazard emergencies and disasters and subsequently assists in the rapid recovery of the health system in collaboration with national and international partners. Thereupon it provides technical support to the MoHP and partners to enhance health sector emergency risk management through prevention risk reduction or mitigation; preparedness and response readiness to build a health system that is resilient to multi-hazard disasters including public health emergencies.

Summary of assigned duties:

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader, WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), and the direct supervision of the National Professional Officer (NPO) – IHR, the WHO Field Medical Officer (FMO) will work in close coordination with relevant Technical Officers/Incident Management System pillar leads (when activated) and National Professional Officers of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme at the WHO Country Office for Nepal. The FMO will also collaborate closely with relevant government counterparts, including HEDMU/HEOC, EDCD, NPHL, Provincial Health Directorates, the Ministry of Social Development, and Provincial Health Secretaries, to perform the following duties:

1.International Health Regulations or IHR core capacities strengthening, support the Federal and Provincial health authorities to:

·Support implementation of IHR core capacities aligned with central-level programmes and initiatives.

·Support implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of epidemiological and laboratory surveillance systems (event- and indicator-based) for IHR reportable diseases

·Conduct risk assessments and develop prioritized preparedness and response plans, SOPs, and risk communication strategies for IHR reportable events.

·Support rumor verification, reporting, investigation, and response to IHR reportable events.

·Establish, strengthen, and maintain operational readiness of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).

·Strengthen field epidemiology, data management, risk assessment, risk communication, and specimen collection and transport.

·Document lessons learned and best practices in preparedness and response to IHR reportable events.

·Harmonize risk communication and community engagement for IHR reportable events across federal, provincial, and subnational levels.

2.Health Emergencies Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, support Federal and Provincial health authorities to:

2.1.Planning and assessments

·Conduct hazard, vulnerability, and capacity assessments to support development and updating of risk-informed, multi-hazard health emergency/DRRM plans, SOPs, and M&E frameworks.

·Support implementation, monitoring, periodic review, and updating of approved health emergency/DRRM plans.

·Assist HEOCs and PHEOCs in implementing and evaluating health sector and hospital contingency plans through tabletop exercises, simulations, drills, and after-action reviews.

·Support evidence-based preparedness and response planning in collaboration with information management teams and relevant stakeholders.

·Facilitate capacity building, operational research, and M&E to enhance multi-hazard DRRM capabilities.

·Document lessons learned and best practices across the DRRM cycle — preparedness, response, recovery, and continuity of care during emergencies, disasters, and mass casualty events.

2.2.Coordination

·Support Health Emergency Operations Centers (HEOCs) in coordination, communication, and information management throughout the humanitarian program cycle including, hub and satellite network, cluster sectoral EOX and others for emergency preparedness and response readiness.

·Assist in developing, activating, and operationalizing the Incident Command System (ICS), including rapid and relevant assessments for health sector emergency/disaster response.

·Support health sector recovery post-emergency/disaster, ensuring adherence to "build-back-better" principles.

·Establish, develop, and operationalize the Health Cluster and sub-clusters under the HEOC, ensuring active engagement of all stakeholders — including grassroots and local NGOs.

·Support the functioning of Public Health Emergency Management Sub-Committees per Nepal's Risk Reduction & Disaster Management Act.

·Support in Conducting stakeholder mapping and analysis through the 3Ws (Who does What, Where) and facilitate regular updates.

2.3.Response

·Support monitoring, verification, reporting and investigation of events with potential or actual health impact;

·Assist in response activities addressing public health emergencies and health needs arising from other emergencies or disasters

·Support establishment, capacity-building, operational readiness and deployment of Emergency Medical Deployment Teams or EMDT from Hub and Satellite Hospital networks;

·Support the development and maintenance of effective pre-hospital, hospital and post-hospital care services in responding to public health emergencies and mass casualty events;

·Facilitate mobilization of response items through the operations support and logistics as appropriate in the respective duty station.

3.Cross-cutting

·Supervise the Information Management Assistant / Associate (IMA) stationed at the HEOC / PHEOC / EDCD / NPHL, as appropriate, ensuring smooth flow of information and maintenance of data and Information and communications technology or ICT equipment.

·Support capacity building activities, to include areas of and in collaboration with WHO/Communicable Disease Surveillance team or CDS, to enhance the capacity of the provincial staff in communicable disease control, outbreak investigation, risk communication and epidemiology for the functionality of PHEOCs, using the practical work in the provinces as a teaching ground.

·In all activities related to IHR reportable events, and non-communicable disease emergency or disaster with actual or potential health impact, the FMO will work in close coordination with other WHO personnel co-located in the same duty station.

 Â·   Perform any other relevant tasks/duties as assigned by the Team Leader - WHE, the supervising WHE – TOs/NPOs, and the WHO Representative. This includes duty travel or duty-station reassignment on short notice as per the program requirements.

Qualifications: Education

Essential:

Medical graduate from an institution recognized by Nepal Medical Council with valid registration in the Nepal Medical Council.

Desirable:

Post-graduate qualification in public health, crisis management, emergency / disaster response or related field.

Experience:

Essential: Minimum two years of relevant experience.

Desirable: Experience in field epidemiological investigation or emergency / disaster response.

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

·Self-motivated with ability to work with minimum supervision.

·Good interpersonal skills, able to work as a team member in a multi-cultural environment.

·Ability to travel at short notice within the country and to perform practical hands-on field work.

·Ability to participate actively and cooperatively in knowledge sharing and policy forums at sub-national levels and to coordinate with the Government of Nepal (GoN) agencies.

·Good knowledge in outbreak response, disease control and emergency risk management in the health sector.

·Very good analytical skills including ability to collect and analyze technical data and information and to draw and present conclusions in written and spoken form.

·Very good writing skills in English, including the ability to write clear and concise progress reports, analytical reports, plans and proposals

Other Skills:

·Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Internet and Email is essential.

·Proficiency in Statistical / Epidemiological Analysis software desired.

Competencies:

1.Teamwork

2.Respective and promoting individual and cultural differences

3.Communication

4.Producing Results

Use of language Skills: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Nepali

REMUNERATION:

Monthly Salary: (Net of tax) NPR Rs 196,102.00 (Level VIII) at single rate (taxable as per Nepal Government laws and appointment will be through Special Services Agreement, SSA).

Grade: Level VIII

Duty Station: Anywhere in Nepal

Additional Information

1. This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.

2. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

3. A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening.

4. If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required or 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.

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

6. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce 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.

7. The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. 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 for WHO jobs.

8. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process.

9. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

10. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

11. 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 short-listed candidates.

12. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. 

13. 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.

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15. This is a national position, open only to citizens of the country where the duty station is located. Applications from non-nationals will not be considered.

16. Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.

17. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply