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 WHE Response Division (WRE) is responsible for rapidly detecting and responding to health emergencies while leveraging relevant national and international partnerships, ensuring that emergency-affected populations in acute and protracted emergencies have access to essential health services and that systems are maintained and strengthened in fragile, conflict and vulnerable settings while implementing at scale, proven prevention strategies for priority and epidemic/epidemic-prone diseases. Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) engages public health institutions, networks, technical partners including academic institutions, UN and international organizations to coordinate and provide technical expertise to support countries in infectious disease outbreak alert and response, and during public health emergencies. GOARN fosters national, regional and global networking and capacities to support outbreak preparedness and acute response. The WHO Operational Support Team (OST) for GOARN facilitates network communications; coordinates technical and operational support for acute outbreak response; and provides day-to-day running of the network, activities, and projects. In addition, the OST provides the secretariat for the Steering Committee (SCOM) of the network.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to the needs and agenda:

  • Further and strengthen partnerships and relationships with GOARN Steering Committee (SCOM) to provide guidance to the strategic development of the network, manage preparations and running of SCOM meetings, and support monitoring and evaluation, and advocacy.
  • Develop and implement communication strategies and guidelines/operating procedures to promote and strengthen multi-disciplinary networking and cross-cutting approaches with a broad range of GOARN institutions, and stakeholders to foster coordinated operational support and capacity for acute outbreak response.
  • Enable efficient and ready access to and use of GOARN knowledge platform, to support SCOM, and working groups; technical cooperation; planning, and monitoring alert and rapid response activities; training, and special projects.
  • Evaluate and follow-up on the knowledge platform activities to make proposals for best practices, improvements to structure, content and access in the light of the results, as well as liaising with external service providers.
  • Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including deploying in emergency situations, providing surge capacity, and backstopping for others, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in communication, international relations, political or social science, or public health
Desirable: Studies in infectious diseases, public health, humanitarian law and/or programme and project management.

Experience

Essential: At least five years' experience in partnership coordination, network development and management in the field of public health or infectious diseases at the national or international level.
Desirable: Experience in emergency operations, particularly infectious disease outbreak, formulating plans and proposals. Experience in the development and implementation of website and/or intranet information solutions.

Skills

Demonstrated capacity to develop, maintain and strengthen relationships with a broad range of technical counterparts and institutions, complemented by excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure within short deadlines. Ability to write in a clear and effective manner. Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Other 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 62,692 (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 4018 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
  • WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
  • 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.
  • For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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