Emergency Management and Support

To reduce mortality, morbidity and societal disruption resulting from epidemics, natural disasters, conflicts and environmental, chemical, radio-nuclear and food-related emergencies, as well as antimicrobial resistance, through prevention, preparedness and response in the context of the International Health Regulation (IHR 2005).To ensure that WHO regional office, inter-country teams and countries' offices are adequately prepared and able to respond in a timely manner to outbreaks and emergencies with public health consequences.

The incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities which are performed according to the needs and agenda\: To provide leadership in overseeing the support to Member States to strengthen their capacities for timely and effective outbreaks and emergencies response in the context of the International Health Regulations, including early warning alert and response systems; To initiate support and collaboration with Member States to develop integrated approaches for readiness and response to major epidemic-prone diseases (e.g. Ebola, meningitis, viral hemorrhagic fevers, cholera, rift valley fever, etc.) and other emergencies using the “all-hazard” approach;To proactively advise and ensure participation in the development and further strengthening of an effective regional system for coordinated response to public health events of international concern;To facilitate the support and mobilization of resources to Member States for timely detection and response to epidemic-prone diseases and other public health emergencies of international concern;To closely collaborate with and lead the strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation of the HSE cluster by initiating the elaboration and regular revision of the Cluster's strategic plan and the overall monitoring and review of progress with respect to the Cluster's objectives;To initiate, develop and/or strengthen strategic partnerships, including drafting proposals, to increase financial, material and human resources to further EPR work at all levels;To closely collaborate with the Director on the strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation of the HSE cluster by leading the planning, implementation, monitoring and review of EPR objectives and outputs and initiating regular revisions of the Cluster's strategic plan;To lead and directly manage all staff in EPR programme area, and relevant ISTs, including the coordination, monitoring and approval of work plans and mission requests;In agreement with the Cluster Director oversee the formulation of objectives for Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) for all staff in EPR ensuring accurate and timely appraisals and any required follow-up actions take place;To perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

Essential\: Advanced medical degree with a post-graduate degree in epidemiology or public health.Training or degree in disaster risk management.
Desirable\: Training or degree in Management or international development.Training or degree on global health diplomacy

Essential\: At least ten years of experience in public health in planning, monitoring and implementation of disease prevention and control programmes including epidemic and pandemic alert and response, with at least five years at the international level in low and middle income countries.At least ten years of experience in emergency management including five years of field experienceExtensive experience working in developing countries.Experience in managing large scale outbreaks or emergencies Extensive experience working with partners and internal teams;

Desirable\: Field experience in epidemiology and public health programmes in developing countries.Experience with intergovernmental agencies, the UN System or WHO.Experience with intergovernmental agencies, the UN System or WHO and knowledge of national, regional and global partnerships and networks.

Demonstrated expertise in scientific and technical issues pertaining to epidemic and emergency readiness and response activities; Excellent skills and understanding of policies, strategies and regulatory mechanisms governing epidemic and pandemic alert and response activities; Proven ability to plan, execute, supervise and manage a large international health programme; Track record of motivating, guiding and fostering national and sub-regional capacity to advocate, communicate and disseminate key outbreak and emergency preparedness and response messages; Strategic thinker with critical analytical and problem solving skills; Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner; Demonstrated capacity to provide technical, authoritative advice and guidance to team members, colleagues, peers and multiple stakeholders and partners, taking into account internal priorities and capacity and broader political and resource-limited contexts; Strong interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results and taking remedial action combined with ensuring effective work practices and ethics; Proven capacity in negotiating and developing partnerships at all levels including for resource mobilization; Ability to work under pressure; Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Communication
Producing results
Teamwork

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

Desirable

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 84,721 (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 3565 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.

• 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.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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.