Team Leader (Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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 include:

The 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 plansare translated into targeted capacity building in the priority/vulnerable countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary team focused on all hazards country preparedness, readiness, capacity building, training and learning activities.

2. Develop standard approaches, guidance and tools to support the strengthening and effective implementation of national surveillance systems required under International Health Regulations (2005), including early warning and event-based surveillance.

3. Lead the analysis and assessment of mass gatherings capacity, identify approaches to enhance capacities, recommend best practices and promote effective collaboration within the region for epidemiology capacities and related activities.

4. Oversee the organization of technical activities and the development and implementation of evidence based tools and training materials to assess, track and ensure WHO readiness to respond to disease outbreaks and emergencies;

5. Contribute to WHO policy on emergency risk management; lead and participate in the development of technical projects, provide authoritative expertise and advise countries on the development of relevant processes and tools.

6. Establish close linkages between PCB and other relevant WHE technical teams, particularly with CME, EMO; with other Divisions, particularly with Health Systems and Public Health (DSP); and the wider Disaster Management community to ensure the longer term sustainability of emergency preparedness activities.

7. In close liaison with other Department teams and WHE Programme, jointly plan with WHE Programme and Country Offices, the support to countries with a special focus on the assessment of vulnerability.

8. Develop work plans and performance indicators, monitor and evaluate the work of the team and its interaction with other teams, so that the work is technically excellent, in line with the administrative and budgetary standards, guidelines, priorities and directions of CPI/PCB, effectively and efficiently conducted, and completed to a high standard; allocate and monitor the use of the team's resources so that adequate support is assured.

9. Develop strategic partnerships with the various counterparts and international partners to implement appropriate interventions, including strategic planning, tactical and project planning, facilitation, instruction, and information and documentation development.

10. Proactively inform the supervisor of situations which might pose a threat to WHO or its reputation and propose solutions to address the problems.

11. Empower and motivate staff to use and support multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting approaches to work where beneficial for accomplishing goals.

12. Represent the team at international meetings and conferences, when required.

13. Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in biological science, public health, environment science or a related science

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years' experience at national and international level in administration and project management in the field of emergency risk management. Experience of coordination and collaboration in preparedness activities (e.g. data collection, analysis, strategy planning) with external organizations in resource-limited countries. Experience in team management.
Desirable: Professional work experience within WHO or the UN System.

Skills

Four competencies are considered to be mandatory for all WHO staff with managerial responsibilities: “Teamwork”, “Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences”, “Communication” and “Creating an empowering and motivating environment”.Knowledge of outbreaks and emergency risk management in WHO's and the UN System. Sound management skills with ability to manage human and financial resources. Excellent communication, public relations and interpersonal skills with ability to negotiate with and convince officials with tact and diplomacy. Excellent organizational and analytical skills.Ability to establish and maintain partnership at local and international levels. Proven ability to write technical documents in a clear and concise manner.

WHO Competencies

Ensuring the effective use of resources
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Moving forward in a changing environment
Setting an example
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 74,913 (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 4195 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.