Health Emergency Preparedness Officer

Overview of the programme

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at better protecting the population against health emergencies, including better preparedness for and response to all hazards.

WHO country office also supports in strengthening Emergency Medical Relief as the Fourth Pillar of Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) particularly in the areas of planning for mass gathering events, deployment of National RRTS for Outbreak investigation and Response, Conduction of Joint Monitoring Group meetings, Disaster Risk Management related initiatives and related technical areas, which also are prominent areas of WHO work globally.

This includes ensuring a strong emergency management system (based on incident management), effective and inclusive coordination mechanisms, joint assessments and planning by partners, implementation of operations and services according to agreed standards, and strong logistics and operational support. The expansion and strengthening of operational partnerships are key priorities.

The purpose of this position is to provide strategic technical support to the Govt of India Offices and Health Security and Emergency (HSE) team as per need under the direction of WCO India.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.  

The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 10 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India’s population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.4 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage.

Description of Duties:

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of Team Lead (HSE & CD) and direct supervision of NPO (Emergency Preparedness & Risk Management) .

S/he have the following responsibilities, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties in her/his assigned area of work:

1.Support national authorities in planning, coordinating, and implementing of activities related to mass gathering management, preparedness & response, JMG meetings, HEDRM and DRR, public health preparedness and response to all hazards in line with Regional Strategic Roadmap on Health Security & Health Systems Resilience for Emergencies.

2.Provide technical support to MoHFW in emergency operations in response to outbreaks, disasters and other public health emergencies in line with the WHO/MoHFW protocols and guidelines.

3.To plan and prepare the development of Sop’s for deployment of NJORT to respond to acute public health events.

4.To Support capacity building and standardization of strategies and documents related to mass gathering management and support in planning and conduct a national consultation.

5.Provide technical support to MoHFW programs in prevention, mitigation, and containment of public health emergencies due to all hazards in coordination with national IHR stakeholders in building and testing their capacities for epidemic events, disasters and other public health emergencies.

6.Provide technical support to MoHFW in the development, revision and update of relevant policies, strategies and guidance in areas related to emergency preparedness and response as well as Support in designing and implementing initiatives to contextualize WHO global and regional strategies, guidance and methodologies to national context and institutionalize this mechanism.

7.Support conducting consultations, training and capacitybuildingexercises, support developing IEC materials, training material, drills,risk assessment, situation analysis and report writing onvarioustechnicalareaspertainingemergency preparedness and response.

8.Perform other related responsibilities and task as assigned.

Education:

Essential: University degree in Medicine /public health complemented by specialized training in emergency /disaster management or related field or equivalent in related field from a recognized institution/university.

Desirable: Specialization in Public health / disaster management and/or humanitarian response; - Training or studies in leadership or management.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions. The list

can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Experience:

Essential: At least 1 year of proven experience, including considerable experience obtained in public health in the field of emergency operations in response to epidemic events, outbreaks and other public health emergencies combined with working experience at national or state level.

Desirable: Working experience with national government , UN/ intergovernmental agencies at the national and state level will be an advantage.

Competencies:

1.Teamwork

2.Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

3.Communication

4.Producing results

5.Moving Forward in Changing Environment

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

Proficiency in computer applications / GIS /design /AI tools and ability to draft reports and presentations.

Language Skills:Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of local language will be an asset.

Remuneration:

Monthly remuneration is INR 157,449 taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he will be posted at New Delhi. The position may require extensive travel (can be upto 15 days in a month) to the states and districts.

The incumbent is a national of the country (India) where he/she is to serve, is recruited locally and is not subject to assignment to any official station outside the home country. Only Indian Nationals should apply.

Additional information:

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

oOnly candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

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

oIf 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 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.

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

oThe 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.

oThe 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/diversityequity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

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

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

oAn 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.

oWHO 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.

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

oPlease 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.

oCountry-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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oThis post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.

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

oQualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.