Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) 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.

 

The objectives of the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & the International Health Regulations (2005) Department (CPI) include the monitoring and evaluation of countries' preparedness to health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning and country capacity building for critical capacities and the Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005) involving an all-hazards approach at all three levels of the Organization. The CPI Department prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low capacity countries.

 

The Core Capacity Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (CME) Unit is WHO headquarters' main hub for support to national assessments, planning, costing of critical countries capacities. The CME Unit provides essential support to WHO's regional and country offices in their effort to assess, monitor and evaluate status of implementation of the IHR including at the animal human interface. The CME Unit hosts the strategic partnership portal (SPP) which facilitates the coordination of donors for the national action plans which are closely supported by WHO Regional and Country Offices.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities\:

 

- Work with key players in WHE, WHO and partners, manage the pre-strategic and operational direction for all aspects of simulation exercises, as part of the IHR monitoring and evaluation framework.

- In collaboration with partners, lead the development tools, materials, guidance and training for simulation exercises.

- Support the development of After Action reviews to complete the assessment of countries following outbreaks or other emergencies.

- Follow up and consolidate country needs with regards to simulation exercises, providing guidance and support to the updates of country plans and budget following simulation exercises.

- Develop and disseminate related documents.

- Analyze results from national simulation exercises and develop key lessons for distribution through strategic Partnership portal as well as to inform capacity building of the IHR.

- Maintain and expand a trained network of professionals to support the implementation of exercises and publish on the outcomes.

- Support the daily management of the WHE cross cutting task team on simulation exercises (SimEx TT).

- Document achievements and lessons learnt on the implementation of simulation exercises, advocate for, and link simulation exercises to relevant WHO and interagency processes, share experiences.

- Play a key role in the development of WHO`s simulation exercises across all levels of the organization including WHO Country Offices, Regional offices.

- Headquarters and partners, including inter agency exercises.

- Promote multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches and activities to facilitate full participation within and outside WHO/WHE/CPI and key partners.

- Perform other related responsibilities, including replacing and/or backstopping.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university degree in health, social sciences, humanitarian action, public administration or related field.
Desirable\: Certificate/specialization in outbreaks emergencies, emergency management or crisis management.

Experience

Essential\: At least seven years' experience in emergency preparedness and response, project management, and information management in response operations, of which three years at the international level and at least two years of experience in conducting public health simulation exercises.
Desirable\: Experience in working in response operations in a field location (regional or country office) within the humanitarian domain (UN/NGO & inter-agency partners). Experience of work in the area of risk assessment, planning, and lessons learned/after action reviews.

Skills

- Knowledge of WHO, the UN System or NGO work in the field of outbreak response and/or of their practices and procedures as related to the work.

- Excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to coordinate activities and manage several projects at same time.

- Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills.

- Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual information.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of WHO language.

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 4161 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.