Technical Officer, Readiness, P4, CPH

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;(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\:Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) unit 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.Within CPI, the Preparedness, Readiness and Core capacity (PCB) Unit provides technical support to countries and WHO country offices in their effort for all hazards preparedness and readiness for outbreaks and emergencies and to strengthen intersectoral national capacity for the early detection, timely and effective response, to all public health emergencies as required under the International Health Regulations (2005). Working closely with the other WHE staff, the PCB Unit ensures that needs listed in national action plans are translated into targeted capacity building in the priority/vulnerable countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical assistance and advice on the development and implementation of action plans on all-hazard readiness, at the regional and country level, in close collaboration with Country Offices and HQ. 2. Develop capacity assessment tools, conduct needs assessments and monitor and evaluate organizational capacities for all hazards readiness at the country and regional level. 3. Provide technical assistance and advice to WRs/HWOs with the development/update of the Business Continuity Plans and Contingency Plans, in collaboration with other WHE programmes and the DAF division. Update and maintain the EURO's Business Continuity Plan. 4. Develop and adapt training materials, and conduct capacity building activities, including simulation exercises for WHO readiness at the country and regional level, in close collaboration with relevant RO divisions, Country Offices and HQ.5. Provide input to the formulation of policies, standards and guidelines on organizational readiness, and facilitate and monitor their adaptation and implementation at the regional and country level.6. Work closely with the Technical Officer, Preparedness, and contribute to all relevant preparedness activities. Perform other related responsibilities, including replacing and/or backstopping. Support other WHE programme areas, as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in a health-related field or Medical degree
Desirable\: Specialized training in emergency/disaster preparedness and response, specialized training in epidemiology.

Experience

Essential\: At least 7 years' experience in emergency preparedness and response work, of which at least 3 at international level. Proven experience with institutional readiness activities including development of SOPs, business continuity planning, training and simulations. Experience with capacity building and applying institutional learning.
Desirable\: Relevant work experience in WHO and/or other UN agencies. Experience of work with relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Field experience in emergency response programmes especially in vulnerable countries.

Skills

Knowledge of the UN and humanitarian systems for emergency response and preparedness and of humanitarian fundraising.Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate plans to address challenges and risks. Ability to negotiate across multiple teams and agencies to common purpose.Proven capacity to lead and deliver on deadlines during periods of intense stress and activity.Demonstrated capacity to organize, monitor and synthesize information quickly and concisely.Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with solid writing and editing experience.Demonstrated capacity to adjust to changing requirements.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Promoting innovation and organizational learning
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of WHO/EURO.

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 70,647 (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 3438 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.