Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies 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. The Emergency Operations Department of the Health Emergencies Programme is responsible for ensuring that emergency-affected populations have access to timely and effective health services. This includes ensuring a strong emergency management system (based on incident management), effective and inclusive coordination mechanisms, joint assessments and planning by partners, implementation of operations and services according to agreed standards, and strong logistics and operational support. The Emergency Operations Department houses the Secretariat for the Emergency Medical Teams Initiative. This Initiative focuses on capacity strengthening, readiness and response of medical teams at the national and regional levels, supporting national health authorities in their leadership role, and leveraging countries' national capacities to support each other.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Lead the planning, preparation and training for emergency responses requiring EMT activation and/or deployment, including technical support to country, regional and global functions in preparedness, readiness, response and recovery regarding EMT coordination. This includes processes and tools for activation of EMTs, providing daily updates on EMT requests and deployment status to key stakeholders; daily reporting and forms/tools; strategic coordination and oversight of EMT deployments; oversight of offer/acceptance processes for EMTs; and leading, deploying and managing deployment of EMT coordination functions. The incumbent would lead or act in support of the EMT manager to fulfill emergency response coordination functions and act as the primary focal point for EMT operations in acute events.

2. Support the EMT Initiative national capacity-building programme along with the EMT Manager and other team members, including (a) providing technical support to deliver awareness workshops, training and exercises for national coordination bodies / health emergency operations centres and national and international EMTs, (b) continuously improving training materials and resources based on lessons learnt and feedback,

3. Support the global EMT mentorship and classification programme, including support to teams undergoing the mentorship processes, and to take part in or lead verification visits. The incumbent will also contribute to improve processes, provide inputs to guidelines and standard operating procedures , support training and work with expert mentors.

4. Provide technical guidance, input and coordination to EMT technical working groups (TWG), to ensure application of a consistent approach and delivery of products described in TWG terms of reference as assigned within the team.

5. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required , and contributing to emergency responses either at HQ, regional office, WCO or field level.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced level university degree in management, emergency management, business administration, social sciences, health or a related area.
Desirable\: Post graduate qualifications in emergency management. Field based rapid response training such as EMT Coordination, UNDAC, INSARAG

Experience

Essential\: At least seven years relevant professional experience at national and international level, including field management of medical teams in sudden onset disasters and/or outbreak response. At least one previous experience in coordination of international deployment involving medical teams in a disaster, outbreak or conflict.
Desirable\: Experience with the UN disaster response systems of OCHA and/or WHO. Demonstrable progressive responsibilities in managing or coordinating programmes. Demonstrable experience in training and capacity building in low or middle income settings.

Skills

- Excellent communication skills and proven writing skills in English.

- Capacity to collaborate and coordinate across multiple agencies.

- Ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environments.

- Strong organizational skills.

- Computer literacy.

- Excellent presentation skills.

 

 

WHO Competencies

1. Fostering integration and teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communicating in a credible and effective way
4.Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Other 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 72,637 (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 4237 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.