Technical Officer - Healh Emergency Information Products

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) 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.

Technical Officer - Health Emergency Information products will support the development of high quality health emergency information products and advocacy materials, support systematic documentation of response to and best practices in the management of health emergencies through interim and final outbreak reports, contribute to writing scientific articles and other publications, and build capacity in the area of health emergency information at country office level through development of norms, standards, and SOPs; and providing guidance, mentorship and conducting training.

The incumbent will be deployed to emergencies when required.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to needs\:

Development of health emergency information products\:

·         Review the package of HIM information products and make suggestions to improve the content and quality of these information products;

·         Draft and finalize key health emergency information products, including the weekly bulletin, DONs, etc.

·         Develop external situation reports on major public health emergencies occurring in the region;

·         Provide technical support to countries in the development of outbreak interim/final reports through development of guidance and capacity building

·         Develop scientific articles on selected outbreaks and other public health emergencies reported by Member States to the Regional Office;

·         Contribute to the development of public health emergencies infographics in close collaboration with the infographists and subject matter experts;

·         Draft and finalize the Programme annual report on public health emergencies in the region;

·         Coordinate the development and regular updates of the HIM component of WHE website in close collaboration with the communication team

·         Contribute to resource mobilization for the programme through developing proposals and advocacy materials;

·         Contribute to the development of best practices and success stories pertaining to the management of health emergencies in the region.

Capacity building on health emergency information and outbreak response documentation

·         Strengthen the capacity of Member States and WHO staff in developing health emergency information products, documenting response to outbreaks as well as best practices;

·         Contribute to the development of norms and standards related to health emergency information and systematic documentation of response to outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

Health Emergencies profiles

·         Contribute to the development a guidance document on the preparation of Health Emergencies Profiles;

·         Contribute to the  development of Health emergencies profiles which include but not limited to disease profile, country and regional health emergencies profiles;

·         Contribute to the development of high quality advocacy materials regarding the work WHE in health emergencies.

Proposal writing and collaboration

·         Contribute to the development of proposals and resource mobilization efforts to ensure that adequate resources are available to strengthen health emergency information systems.

Other responsibilities

Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree (BSc MsC or B Arts) in communication, social sciences or public health and/or related disciplines.

Desirable\: Advance degree in Health Promotion and Communication, Public Health 

Skillfully designed and produced material for newsletters, brochures, and flyers.

Experience

Essential\: At least five relevant working experience in public health emergencies

Previous work experience in the area of communication, advocacy and resource mobilization with UN Agencies (preferably WHO) or reputable NGO.

Desirable\: Experience in successfully generated health emergency information products, including situation reports, press releases, memos, reviews, and manuals.

Evidence in scientific writing and publications in peer review journals

Skills

Excellent presentation and communication skills, with emphasis on writing skills.  Sound analytical and organizational skills.  Demonstrated knowledge of surveillance issues and emerging diseases in international context. Proven ability to work and produce results under pressure in critical situations. Demonstrated ability to interact in complex situations, involving technical, cultural and political elements.  Tact, diplomacy and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

1. Moving forward in a changing environment

2. Fostering integration and teamwork

3. Promoting innovation and organizational learning

4.   Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

5.   Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: English or French expert level required.

Desirable\: Working level of English or French.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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 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.