OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The incumbent will manage WHO programmes on epidemic and emergency preparedness and response, providing technical assistance and expertise to the health authorities and other relevant stakeholders in order to strengthen national preparedness, response, and core capacities under International Health Regulation (IHR), for emerging infectious diseases.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall supervision of WR and direct supervision of Senior Public Health Specialist (Healthier Population), this position is expected to perform all, or most of, the following duties depending on specific country circumstances:

1.Work in coordination with all technical focal points at the regional and headquarters levels, under the guidance of the head of the WHO country office.

2.Provide specialist technical guidance to national authorities in, and coordinate all aspects of, the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) programme, at the country level, to enhance the national capability in preparedness and response to emerging infectious diseases, outbreaks, and health emergencies from all hazards.

3.Technically ensure the concerted approach of WHO in the areas of emergency risk management, country preparedness and International Health Regulations, risk and situation assessment and infectious hazards management.

4.Collaborate with and guide relevant ministries and other stakeholders to undertake gap analyses in relevant areas of work for emergency preparedness and management and to develop/revise national strategies and a national multi-hazard, health emergency preparedness and response plan.

5.Prepare a national risk profile, assessing and mapping existing and emerging national health risks as well as populations vulnerable to, or affected by, prioritized risks, their coping capacities and health needs.

6.Coordinatethe identification of resource needs and funding gaps for health-sector risk reduction, preparedness, and response for vulnerable / affected populations, advocating with and mobilizing required resources from partners and donors.

7.Manage the assessment of capacities and national, competency development systems, and recommend, plan and facilitate the implementation of appropriate measures and training for strengthening core capacities under International Health Regulations including to manage identified risks; effectively monitor and evaluate processes, outcomes and the impact of response and recovery interventions.

8.Guide the national health authorities and partners in the establishment or strengthening of emergency health care systems to ensure the provision of a range of critical emergency health care services.

9.Manage the knowledge capture from policy, strategic and field interventions, and ensure its dissemination.

10.Represent WHO in inter-agency meetings and external forums related to WHO epidemics and emergency preparedness and response.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s level) in a relevant field (such as epidemiology, public health, or medical)

Desirable: Training in applied epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of seven years of work experience relevant to the position (in public health, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of epidemic and emergency preparedness and response activities in a developing country and/or at regional level), with some of it obtained in an international work environment.

Experience required in strengthening country capacities and response to emergencies and disasters, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters, or complex emergencies.

Experience in multi-sectoral partnerships for health policy and strategic and operational interventions in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery especially in a developing country setting.

Desirable: Experience in or knowledge of WHO mandate and goals and/or experience with United Nations funds and programmes. Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained at an international level.

Skills

The principles and programmes of epidemic and emergency preparedness and response Development and coordination of health policy, strategic and operational interventions in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery with a range of actors Thorough knowledge of the International Health Regulations (IHR). Planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems. Excellent oral and written communication, including for reports, presentations, and technical documents.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

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 77,326 (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 3841 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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. 

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. 

• 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. 

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. 

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply. 

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int 

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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. 

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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. 

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully. 

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered. 

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int. 

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. 

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

• In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates