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Technical Officer

Geneva

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • HQ/GIH Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Global Infectious Hazards Preparedness (GIH) advances global efforts to prevent and control existing and emerging infectious diseases by increasing access to evidence-based interventions; fostering impactful innovation; and leveraging technical, operational and strategic partnerships. In addition, GHP develops global mechanisms to facilitate coordination and collaboration between countries and multi-sectoral partners for catastrophic events of natural, accidental or deliberate origin. The department of Global Infectious Hazards Preparedness is committed to delivering GPW13 Outcome 2.2 Epidemics and pandemics prevented, through:

- Delivering risk assessment, technical guidance, interventions and control strategies for country impact.

- Promoting innovation and adoption of new technologies.

- Aligning and coordinating international action through trusted partnership.

- Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to life-saving interventions and supplies.

The High Impact Events Preparedness (IEP) unit provides leadership and coordination for cross-sector partnerships in the development of global preparedness mechanisms for epidemics and pandemics, thereby reducing their impact on affected populations and limiting their international spread. For example, a global supply chain & deployment mechanism to ensure equitable and timely access to life-saving interventions during an outbreak; and the establishment of a global platform for Infodemic management, risk communication and whole-of-society empowerment during epidemics and pandemics.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework, support national capacity and pandemic preparedness building for Infodemic management, risk communication and RCCE:

  • Work with resources from the global and regional levels to train and prepare country-level counterparts for Infodemic management, risk communication and RCCE.
  • Develop, implement, and report on a framework approach for national capacity building for the above that includes the active engagement of high-level decision makers and policy makers in the priority countries.
  • Manage and conductassessments of national capacities, with a focus on pandemic risk communication and Infodemic management, through desk reviews, joint missions with the relevant Member States and other stakeholders.
  • Adjust the national risk communication and Infodemic management capacity building framework to realities and for application in priority countries and develop a work plan to implement capacity building activities as relevant in assigned priority countries.
  • Support national authorities to conduct lessons learnt and simulation exercises to further strengthen the technical area. Lead on conference planning and training organization through project management and technical contributions.

2. Build and foster partnerships for Infodemic management, risk communication and RCCE:

  • Build, convene, sustain and nurture global technical partnerships and networks, including development of action plans and activity roadmap.
  • Act as the WHO focal point to the RCCE collective service and work with IFRC and UNICEF counterparts.
  • Identify and establish WHO collaborating centres for the technical area.

3. Act as risk communication and community engagement focal point during outbreaks and emergencies:

  • Oversee the development, elaboration and implementation of the risk communication and community engagement plans as part of the health response operations.
  • With key stakeholders in the national authorities, UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations, identify the top hazards and develop relevant information, education and communication materials in languages and formats easily used by global, regional and national stakeholders and the public.
  • Liaise closely with relevant HQ departments and regional counterparts for risk messaging ensuring coherence of strategy, materials and talking points.
  • Ensure that technical material produced integrates infodemic, risk communication and community engagement principles and practice.
  • Develop tools to monitor, analyses and present digital information on narratives and including KAPs of social media users and integrate into operational activities and products.
  • Proactively counter relevant false rumours and misinformation, and address fears and concerns.
  • Work closely with partners to develop knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) surveys, focus group discussions and other feedback from communities.
  • In collaboration with the Department of Communication and other partners, proactively brief and educate journalists and broadcasters.
  • Lead and maintain quality control for information products such as public information; brochures, leaflets and posters; radio and TV scripts; guides for stakeholders for risk communication, and ensure their translation into local language and their adaptation for the local context.
  • Report regularly in risk communication activities and issues to the IM, respective RO and HQ counterparts.
  • Contribute to resource mobilization and donor communication in the area of risk communication and community engagement.
  • Support regional and country offices in developing infodemic management, risk communication and community engagement strategies and response plans.
  • Map and engage risk communication and RCCE stakeholders; establish and sustain coordination mechanisms for Infodemic management, risk communication and RCCE.
  • Map preferred channels of communication with focus on vulnerable groups.
  • Brief, guide and coordinate technical surge capacity personnel that may be deployed to the country.

4. Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in health communication or social sciences, behavioural sciences, development sciences, communications or public health from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Training in public health, health education, health communication, or health promotion.

Experience

Essential: At least ten years of related experience, at the national and international levels, in risk communication, health promotion, emergency management, part of which working at country level during disease outbreaks or health emergencies. Proven working experience in approaches to social/digital media listening and analysis. Proven working experience in the development and implementation of risk communications and RCCE strategies and plans. Experience with implementation research or evaluation of health/communications programmes would be desirable. Experience in data collection tools, tool development including surveys, focus groups and interview scripts.
Desirable: Prior working experience with WHO, the UN, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or other international organizations, including at country level. Management or project management experience.

Skills

- Strong knowledge and skills in working with social media analytics tools.

- Experience with implementation research or evaluation of health/communications programmes would be desirable.

- Strong skills and knowledge in data collection tools, tool development including surveys, focus groups and interview scripts.

- Experience in developing analyses and executive summaries based on multiple types of data with recommendations for programme and policy action.

- Excellent interpersonal skills.

- Effective negotiation, facilitation and consensus building skills.

- Ability to work under pressure while producing results.

- Ability to “think out of the box” and to make innovative proposals.

- Tact, discretion and diplomacy.

- Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership

Use of Language Skills

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

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 89,837 (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 6663 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.
  • 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.
This vacancy is now closed.