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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

In the context of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme and within the Emergency Preparedness Programme (EMP), the Technical Officer – Readiness Officer (Business Continuity and Contingency Planning) will serve as the principal focal point on Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and contingency Plan (CP) matters for AFRO (including hubs) and member states. The incumbent will work with AFRO and member states to develop/update BCPs and CPs, use the readiness checklists for operational readiness assessment at AFRO (including hubs) and country offices to identify the gaps, and set up a monitoring system for countries’ readiness for emergencies with roadmaps to fill the gaps.

Background

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies 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 emergencies, preparedness, and response (EPR) cluster in coordination with GMC/AFRO and technical clusters, are to ensure that the Regional Office and Hubs readiness checklist is maintained to monitor the implementation of regional readiness activities and to develop a Business Continuity (BCP) for Regional Office and Hubs by December 2023. Apart from the BCPs, AFRO is also to develop the contingency plans for Regional Office and Hubs.

Deliverables

·         Regional Office and Hubs operational readiness checklist adapted and administered by October 2023.

·         Gap analysis of the existing WHO AFRO Business Continuity Plan done November 2023.

·          Regional Office and Hubs BCPs updated/developed and finalized by • December 2023.

·         AFRO at-risk countries BCPs updated/developed following.

·          administration of operational readiness checklist by November 2023.

·         AFRO at-risk countries assessed their risk and updated/developed Contingency plans by December 2023

Educational Qualifications

Essential

ü  An advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in epidemiology or public health from an accredited/recognized.

Desirable

ü  Specialized training in emergency management; Organizational Development and/or Change management in humanitarian context

Experience

Essential

ü  Minimum of 5 years’ experience in alert and response to emergencies at the national and international levels, readiness assessment, BCP and Contingency plan development, complemented by sound experience with working and negotiating with different organizations in complex environments

Desirable

ü  Experience in WHO and/or the UN System in the areas of outbreak response and/or humanitarian interventions

Skills/Knowledge

Essential

ü  Demonstrated knowledge of key critical functions of the WHO Emergency Response Framework.

ü  Demonstrated sound knowledge of the landscape and dynamics of

ü  Health emergencies in the African region

ü  Demonstrated sound understanding of the interests and dynamics of partners involved in the readiness and management of health emergencies in the African region.

ü  Capacity to conceptualize, organize and critically analyze situations and solve problems.

ü  Sound organizational and planning skills complemented by ability •

ü  To multi-task and produce results under pressure within short deadlines.

ü  Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

ü  Diplomacy, tact and courtesy •

Desirable

Excellent Experience in the development of BCPs and Contingency plans.

Languages required

• Expert knowledge of English is required, and Intermediate knowledge of French is an asset. 

Location

On-site – Nairobi, Kenya

Travel 

The consultant is expected to travel.

The Consultant is expected to travel, including for deployments, technical support missions and training activities, according to relevant itineraries and schedules, based on country demand, as requested by Team Lead, and in consultation with the Country Readiness Strengthening Emergency Preparedness and Response Regional Advisor for EPR Cluster.

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO.  Visas requirements: it is the Consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.  While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance in line with the instructions applicable locally, or up to the maximum of the UN DSA.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B – USD – USD 7000-8480 per month

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited)

A living expense is payable to on-site consultants

Expected duration of contract

3 months initially

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. 
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. 
• A written test may be used as a form of screening. 
• If your candidature is retained for 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. 
• 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. 
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged. 
• 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. 
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant. 
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.