JOB DESCRIPTION
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The Health Security Preparedness (HSP) department supports Member States in enhancing national preparedness across the IHR core capacities to manage all-hazard risks and emergencies and to build multisectoral approaches for health security. It ensures that WHO supports Member States to build sustainable preparedness capacities and scale up the implementation of the IHR (2005), and support the implementation of the Sendai Framework, the WHO Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Framework, Paris Agreement on Climate Change and other related global and regional frameworks. The department also establishes strategic links to and supports the advancement of global initiatives such as GPMB, GHSA, EU ACP, Health and Security Alliance, Foreign Affairs for Global Health initiative and the UN System Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience. HSP works with partners and the broader global heath security community to ensure that the most vulnerable communities in all countries are protected from the impact of health emergencies.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
- Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:
- Development, application and evaluation of health policy, technical guidance, tools and learning packages and standards for disaster risk management and resilience in the context of countries.
- Provide technical and coordination support to the development and implementation of Sendai Framework planning, mechanisms for implementation, monitoring and reporting in health sector and for multisectoral and interagency coordination ensuring the WHO/health reporting to the global annual report.
- Provide technical oversight and expertise on the WHO Thematic Platform for Health EDRM to ensure WHO and Health contribution in coordination with IHR core capacity requirements.
- Oversee the development and management of rosters of experts to support ROs, WCOs, Member States and partners with the implementation of DRM and Sendai framework and resilient health infrastructure at country levels
- Provide technical support to the Health Research Network at WHO Kobe Centre for developing, updating and promoting research and innovation for Health EDRM and implementation of the Research Network.
- Development of a guidance to support WHO and Member States on linking the emergency work to SDGs through UHC, Health Security.
- Provide analysis of WHO’s work in disaster risk management at country level based on information gathered by the department and Regional Office counterparts.
- Coordinate the systematic and standardized evaluation of WHO’s work in disaster risk management and preparedness at country level.
- Perform other related responsibilities, (including replacing and/or backstopping) of unit as assigned by the Unit Head.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Essential: Advanced university degree (Master’s) in public health or public health-related discipline or disaster risk management.
Desirable: Medical degree; degree or diploma in disaster risk management or any professional training.
EXPERIENCE
Essential: At least 10 years’ experience in disaster risk management work at policy and implementation levels of which at least 5 years at the international level, in policy/planning, including policy formulation, for health in disaster risk management, including risk identification, risk reduction. Substantial experience in inter-agency coordination. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable: Demonstrated understanding and substantial experience with DRR policies, roles, processes and their implementation.
SKILLS
Knowledge of WHO procedures and practices at global, regional and country levels.
Extensive knowledge of the UN system and of fundraising or communications or public relations.
Excellent communication and writing skills. Ability to negotiate across multiple agencies to common purpose.
WHO COMPETENCIES
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of WHO Language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).
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 92,731 (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 6437 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 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 E-Manual.
- 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 workforce .
- 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int - Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
- 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.
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