Programme Area Manager, CPI

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

(i) to improve health security across the WHO European Region by maintaining regional alert and response operations and assisting countries in building their capacity for surveillance systems, preparedness for, and response to all health emergencies, in line with the requirements of the International Health Regulations and specific country risks;(ii) to promote WHO's leadership in health emergencies and communicable disease prevention and control, including through relevant regional initiatives and specific research projects;(iii) to assist countries in the Region to design, establish and run effective health programmes that are able to tackle the burden of communicable diseases, particularly, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, especially M/XDR-TB, viral hepatitis, influenza, malaria, antimicrobial resistance and vaccine-preventable diseases through strengthened immunization programmes and to achieve/maintain regional elimination/eradication goals as for measles, rubella, malaria, and poliomyelitis;(iv) to ensure, within EURO, the availability of state-of-the-art competency to provide high level technical support to Member States of the Region, in collaboration with Headquarters and in close partnership with relevant institutions of the Region.Within the Division of Health Emergencies and Communicable Diseases, the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) aims to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.Objectives of the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) Programme Area\:Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) Programme Area is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of countries' preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning and country capacity building for critical capacities and the Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005). CPI has an all-hazards approach and involves all three levels of the Organization. CPI prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low capacity countries.The inter-sectoral nature of emergency preparedness entails for CPI a large partnership with other international organizations and the consideration of several global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, emergencies and disasters, the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework, the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS Pathway), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, regional strategies such as the Asia-Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases (APSED), the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), the European health policy Health 2020, and the regional strategies for disaster risk management. CPI coordinates its activities with international and national initiatives such as the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) 2030.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Lead and manage the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & International Health Regulations Programme Area ensuring coordination and oversight of Programme's work promoting an environment of professional inquisitiveness, anticipating new challenges, seeking solutions and evaluating their effectiveness, demonstrating to stakeholders and collaborators a commitment to excellence.2. Manage the regional work in the development, implementation and oversight of relevant strategies, programmes of work, and annual work plans in country health emergency preparedness & International Health Regulations. With HQ and Regional Offices, ensure the monitoring and evaluation of WHO's organization-wide work plan.3. Promote and strengthen partnerships, particularly in coordination with regional agencies and networks, particularly with the European Union and its institutions, the UN entities, civil society and other relevant partners, in line with the area of work and in close collaboration with the Director. Represent WHO at official meetings and in media context as needed.4. Provide coordination, motivation, guidance, management and performance evaluation of staff in Health Emergency Preparedness & International Health Regulations' technical teams\: Core Capacity Assessment, Monitoring & Evaluation (CME); Preparedness, Readiness & Core Capacity Building (PCB); and IHR Secretariat & Global Functions (IHR).5. Manage and ensure the work of CME team focusing on assessing, planning, costing, monitoring and evaluating critical countries capacities to prepare for, detect and mount a rapid and effective response to public health emergencies.6. Manage and ensure the work of the PCB team focusing on formulating policies, norms, standards and guidelines to support the development of critical core capacities for global health security including providing training and support to high vulnerable countries to develop critical core capacities. 7. Manage and ensure IHR work related to strengthening required national procedures, skills and coordination mechanisms are established in all countries.8. Ensure close-collaborative work with other technical departments and represent the Programme and, as required, the RED of the Programme, inside and outside WHO.Assist the RED in fulfilling this mandate and undertaking any other duties as required by the RED, including replacing and backstopping.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in a health field or Medical degree complemented by a post-graduate degree in public health or public health-related discipline.
Desirable\: Specialized training in epidemiology. Specialized training in emergency/humanitarian response. Training in leadership or management.

Experience

Essential\: At least 10 years of international and national professional experience in planning, developing and implementing health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control and/or public health programmes, including at least 5 years of management experience in recognized leadership positions with direct responsibility for managing both human and financial resources.Relevant experience with the inter-agency mechanisms used to coordinate international preparedness for and response to health emergencies, including those most relevant to coordination of health policy and action in health emergencies.
Desirable\: Relevant work experience in WHO and/or other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.Field experience in public health programmes or emergency response programmes in developing countries.

Skills

Four competencies are considered to be mandatory for all WHO staff with managerial responsibilities\: “Teamwork”, “Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences”, “Communication” and “Creating an empowering and motivating environment”.Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills in international and multi-cultural settings combined with proven ability to successfully coordinate, manage and lead projects, and build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies. Sound strategic and tactical thinking with ability to formulate clear comprehensive policies, strategies and plans. Superior organizational skills with ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure. Excellent interpersonal with proven ability to communicate in a clear and effective way, with tact, diplomacy and courtesy. Thorough knowledge of International Health Regulations (IHR), the epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats, and of issues and practices for disease prevention and control.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of 1 EURO or WHO lang.

REMUNERATION

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 3989 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.

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.