Technical Officer (Risk Assessment)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To reduce mortality, morbidity and societal disruption resulting from epidemics, natural disasters, conflicts and environmental, chemical, radio-nuclear and food-related emergencies, as well as antimicrobial resistance, through prevention, preparedness and response in the context of the International Health Regulation (IHR 2005).To increase country capacity to implement international health regulation, to build resilience and adequate preparedness for mounting a rapid, predictable and effective response to major epidemics and pandemics and to manage public health risks associated with emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities which are performed according to the needs and agenda: To provide technical input to Member States and National IHR Focal Points, in the WHO/AFRO Region to develop and implement IHR plans of action and to monitor progress and prepare annual reports on IHR implementation;To work with WHO, Member States and relevant stakeholders to conduct comprehensive assessments of IHR core capacities and gaps to identify countries and sub-regions with the greatest need for IHR improvement, participate in activities to streamline implementation of IHR and target improvements in IHR core capacities in priority countries;To proactively participate in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national and sub-regional disaster risk management policies, strategies, plans and activities to strengthen epidemic, emergency and disaster preparedness and readiness leading to improved prevention and mitigation of public health outbreaks and emergencies;To actively support countriesin the African regionon situation analysis, risk assessment, (including the assessment of risk related to epidemics), and evaluation of regional epidemic preparedness and readiness, to improve the design and formulation of action plans and programmes that will facilitate and enable the implementation of strengthened national capacity for Epidemic Preparedness and Readiness;To contribute to the identification of national capacity gaps in disaster risk management and epidemic preparedness and to support training to strengthen national disaster risk management and preparedness skillsets;To collaborate with and support countries inthe African Regionin the development of guidelines for the continual assessment of country level of readiness/preparedness for outbreaks and guidelines to support the preparation of comprehensive epidemic preparedness and readiness plans;To maintain and support the development, implementation and monitoring of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for major epidemic diseases at country and sub-regional level;To identify opportunities for advocacy and resource mobilization efforts to ensure adequate funding, human and logistical resources to facilitate disaster risk management planning and epidemic preparedness;To support country and sub-regional partnerships and collaboration with UN agencies, NGOs, bilateral cooperation institutions and other partners for IHR, disaster risk management and epidemic preparedness;To perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Degree in Medicine with postgraduate degree in Public Health or Epidemiology
Desirable: Post graduate training in disaster risk management or field epidemiology or specialized training related to infectious or tropical diseases

Experience

Essential: At least seven years' experience in IHR, disaster risk management and epidemic/emergency/disaster preparedness in developing countries and humanitarian actions and interventions.Knowledge of the WHO Policy and strategy for emergency and humanitarian action and interventions of other UN agencies, donors and NGOs for humanitarian assistance.Proven experience of effective multi-agency partnership collaboration.
Desirable: Experience in medical emergenciesExperience with intergovernmental agencies, the UN System or WHO and knowledge of national, regional and global partnerships and networks especially in the field of emergency response operations.

Skills

Demonstrated expertise in supporting IHR, disaster risk management and epidemic preparedness programmes at national and sub-regional levels including implementation, monitoring and evaluation; In-depth knowledge and skill supporting the analysis and development of policies, strategies, programmes and plans; Experience working in health development programmes in multi-sectoral, national and sub-regional contexts; Strong knowledge of epidemiology and proven understanding of the management of infectious diseases programmes, monitoring and evaluation of epidemic prone diseases, such as yellow fever, meningitis, cholera, Ebola; Proven skills supporting the development of national capacity; Excellent interpersonal, presentation, communication and problem solving skills and the ability to write in a clear and concise manner. Expertise in working with diverse stakeholders, promoting consensus and communicating progress; Proven skills in developing and nurturing partnerships at all levels including for resource mobilization; Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Communication
Teamwork

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Intermediate knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 73,516 (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 2291 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• 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.