JOB DESCRIPTION
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinator international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.
JOB PROFILE SUMMARY
The objectives of WHO’s emergency programmes are to design and implement programmes that prepare the health cluster to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. This ensures that WHO’s critical functions, as outlined in the Emergency Response Framework (ERF), are fulfilled.
The field coordination specialist ensures that the key priorities of WHO and of the health cluster are met at the subnational level, including by filling in gaps, and enhancing access to, quality preventive and curative health services for internally displaced persons and most vulnerable population groups. The incumbent will ensure reliable health information to enable evidence-based emergency response and monitoring of the provision of technical guidance on priority public health issues and threats.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The incumbent will perform the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:
- In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS), the incumbent manages the Health Cluster coordination mechanism in the relevant sub-national, emergency context, with all relevant partners and project staff.
- Coordinates and guides the technical and operational inputs, including resources mobilization, to fulfil WHO’s critical functions, in collaboration with the WHO Health Cluster Coordinator and the Health Emergencies’ Team Lead.
- Technically leads the health cluster’s systematic identification and monitoring of health risks and needs, as well as the planning and implementation of the most effective prevention, control, and response strategy and measures, in support of national and local health authorities’ identified priorities.
- Guides the building of national capacity through need identification, and development, operationalization and implementation of required training plans.
- Guides the WHO’s field support team on continued self-assessment and learning on planning, budgeting, and operational service delivery.
- Determines staffing needs for WHO response and ensures their timely mobilization in liaison with the WHO country office.
- Briefs the WHO country office on situation reports and events, bringing concerns and recommended courses-of-action to the attention of the Incident Manager.
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RECRUITMENT PROFILE
Core Competencies
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
- Moving Forward in a Changing Environment
- Building and Promoting Partnerships across the Organization and Beyond
Functional Knowledge and Skills
1. Demonstrated knowledge of public-health, and rapid response operations including the international emergency incident management system.
2. Mastery of the theory, principles, methods, and techniques in the international emergency incident management system.
3. In-depth knowledge of health and safety rules.
4. Knowledge of the country’s public health context, policies, and priorities.
5. Demonstrated expertise in the assessment of emergency or high-risk situations, and the conceptualization and implementation of responsive strategies.
6. Skills to maintain focus in crisis situations.
7. Strong interpersonal skills, including tact and a collaborative work style.
8. Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary and multinational teams in emergency settings.
Educational Qualifications
Essential:
An advanced university degree in public health or public-health discipline, management, emergency, humanitarian, disaster management or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable:
Specialized training in emergency management; specific training in humanitarian response.
Work Experience
Essential:
1. A minimum of seven years of work experience relevant to the position (public-health management and operations with public, national, and international, nongovernmental, or humanitarian organizations), with some of it obtained in an international work environment.
2. A minimum of two years of relevant experience in emergency management/response and leadership at the international level.
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3. Substantial experience in capacity building in a developing country.
4. Experience in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships especially in emergency contexts.
Desirable:
Experience in coordinating and implementing public health strategies with WHO and/or United Nations agencies, health cluster partners in emergency settings.
Language Requirements
Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Arabic.
Information Technology (IT) and Other Skills
Computer literacy with working knowledge of office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise Systems.
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 97,139 (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. 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 is a Core Predicable Country Presence (CPCP) position and “WHO policy for Fast Track Procedures for Emergencies” recruitment will apply.
- 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.
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