Emergency Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The 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 AEM Unit leads and coordinates HQ-level technical and operational support for acute public health events and emergencies due to all hazards. The unit works closely with departments on the assessment of new events and leads on the management of operational activities for verification and/or risk assessment. AEM also provides an Event Manager/Emergency Officer whenever an operational response is required to support verification, risk assessment and/or response.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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

- Provide technical and operational support from headquarters and other sources, in support of the Regional Offices and country-level operations for the management of acute events and emergencies due to all hazards, in line with existing technical standards, best practices, protocols and guidelines.

- Participate in the HQ-level Incident Management Support Team (IMST) for acute emergencies; deploy to acute emergencies, as requested.

- Facilitate and stimulate WHO and partners contributions in support of acute response operations with particular attention to partnerships, planning, human resources, logistics, resource mobilization, monitoring and information-sharing.

- Strengthen operational capacities of WHO and partners; conduct development of new policies, technical standards, guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensure adherence to interagency policies.Undertake support missions with Regional Office counterparts, advise senior management of related priorities and issues; and capture lessons learned and promote their integration into broader WHO policy and practice, especially in collaboration with the Policy Unit.Provide regular updates to senior management of key developments, challenges and operational implications for all Grade 3 and Grade 2 (infectious) emergencies for which the staff member is the focal point.

- Contribute to the development of briefings for senior staff and to the development of communications products.

- Advise HQ departments and units in the development and review of information products and briefings, such as talking points for press briefings, donor-related briefs and reports and other communication materials, to enhance WHO and WHE visibility at time of emergencies.

- Perform other related duties as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: advanced degree (Masters level or above) in medicine, public health or related discipline.
Desirable\: specialization or specific training on health emergency.

Experience

Essential\: At least seven years of experience in the development and implementation of public health policies and strategies in the context of emergencies, including two years' field experience (health response, health response support, public health needs assessments, risk analysis, early recovery).Proven experience in the management of health responses to emergencies and outbreaks.
Desirable\: Experience with WHO, UN or UN agency or a health cluster member organization including the development of global strategies, guidelines and tools for health in emergency actions.

Skills

- Proven expertise in the management of health responses to emergencies and outbreaks; technical knowledge, and operational skills, combined with knowledge of UN, systems and processes.

- Excellent communication skills to negotiate/enlist cooperation from a broad range of actors from multi-disciplinary backgrounds.

- Strong organizational skills complemented with ability to work in a proactive and independent manner, multi-task and produce results under pressure.

- Diplomacy, tact and discretion.

WHO Competencies

1. Fostering integration and teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communicating in a credible and effective way
4. Producing results
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable\: 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 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.