Operational Partnerships Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The aim of the Division of Health Emergencies and Communicable Diseases in the WHO Regional Office for Europe is\:(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;(i) 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.The main objective of the Emergency Operations (EMO) Programme Area is\:Emergency Operations within the Health Emergencies Programme is responsible for ensuring that emergency-affected populations have access to an essential package of life-saving health services. This includes establishing comprehensive incident management for coordinated action in all graded and protracted health emergencies, assisting and coordinating the implementation of health operations to agreed standards through partner and WHO operational networks as well as providing supplies and logistical services and operational support for all graded and protracted health emergencies. EMO also guides strategic policy development and inter-agency relations for the Programme.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Operational Partnerships Officer will serve as the principal advisor to the Programme Area Manager EMO on operational partnership matters, encompassing a broad range of activities essential to enable strong and rapid emergency response.The incumbent will be deployed to emergencies when required.1. Provide technical expertise and ensure the regional development and implementation of strategic plans and processes for operational partnerships, the EMT (Emergency Medical Teams), Health Clusters, GOARN (Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network) and Standby Partnerships, including\: - Expand and strengthen existing partnerships, especially through the development of new partnerships in the region.- Ensure the implementation of common standards, quality assurance mechanisms, training, simulations and readiness activities, aiming to strengthen the interoperability among partnership networks and promote collective emergency.- Provide appropriate technical advice and assistance within the region on partnerships and promote proactive exchange of expertise and technical knowledge.- Monitor implementation of individual regional partnership work plans (i.e. EMTs, GHC, GOARN) and advise on corrective measures when targets are not being met. 2. Coordinate the regional implementation of WHO policies and strategies for operational partnerships in emergencies, integrating both international and national actors.3. Contribute to broader policies, strategies, operational plans, and standard operating procedures, and through advocacy.4. Ensure the integration of relevant components of operational partnerships in the wider context of WHO Regional and Country Offices readiness and response activities, including but not limited to [a] encouraging full collaboration in the implementation of a common comprehensive approach; [b] supporting Member States in the development and implementation of SOPs and guidelines to enhance their collaboration with operational partners; [c] promoting the role of WHO's operational partnerships with the broader humanitarian community;Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university (Masters level or above) in Public health and/or other related field.
Desirable\: Qualifications or studies in emergency management; specialization in emergency medicine or infectious diseases.

Experience

Essential\: A minimum of 7 years' experience in alert and response to emergencies at the national and international levels, complemented by sound experience in formulating and implementing strategies and policies for emergency operations.
Desirable\: Experience in WHO and/or the UN System in the areas of outbreak response and/or humanitarian interventions.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of all aspects of the mandates of GHC, EMT, GOARN and Standby Partnerships. Capacity to conceptualize, organize and critically analyze situations and solve problems. Sound organizational and planning skills complemented by ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure within short deadlines. Excellent negotiation skills. Diplomacy, tact and courtesy. Computer literacy.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of WHO and/or EURO 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 71,332 (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 3781 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.