JOB DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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 Infectious Hazard Prevention and Preparedness Unit of the Health Emergencies Programme is responsible for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority high-threat infectious disease hazards including influenza and emerging respiratory infections. This includes developing and supporting prevention and control strategies, preparedness tools and capacities for high-threat infectious disease hazards, establishing and maintaining experts’ networks to detect, understand and manage new or emerging high threat infectious disease hazards as well as providing support for the strategic implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework in Eastern Mediterranean Region including regional level coordination support.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Lead and manage the work on Influenza and other emerging Respiratory Infections under the IHP Unit and ensure that planned activities are implemented efficiently and effectively. Lead, supervise, motivate and develop a team of professional and administrative staff possessing diverse skills to effectively and efficiently meet objectives related to prevention, preparedness and control of influenza and other emerging respiratory infections in EM Region. Be responsible for the development and the implementation of operational strategic frameworks related to the influenza and other emerging respiratory infections, and monitor the development and progress of work plans and operations, including human resource management, budget/finance management and administrative issues.Develop and coordinate implementation of a Regional specific strategy for epidemic and pandemic preparedness related to influenza and emerging respiratory infections with epidemic and pandemic potential.Coordinate technical and operational support to WHO country offices in the Region in prevention, control and epidemic and pandemic preparedness for influenza and emerging respiratory pathogens.Design and disseminate technical guidelines and other knowledge products for the prevention, preparedness and control of influenza, emerging respiratory infectionsLead and coordinate activities related to generating evidences and best practices on influenza and other emerging respiratory infections, and disseminate new evidence on influenza and emerging respiratory infections and systems’ readiness for epidemic and pandemic preparedness in collaboration with research institutions, WHO Collaborating centers and other entitiesContinue to develop, expand and strengthen strategic partnerships and networks throughout the Region related to influenza, emerging respiratory infections.Foster collaboration and coordinate advocacy efforts at regional and global levels to mobilize financial resources for influenza and emerging respiratory infections programme at WHO/EMRProvide high quality expertise and managerial inputs related to influenza and emerging respiratory infections to senior management of WHE and WHO/EMRO as required, including relations with other UN agencies and other partnersPerform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required by the supervisors.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: Master’s degree in Medicine, Public Health or related discipline.
Desirable: Doctorate in epidemic and pandemic preparedness related to influenza and/or emerging respiratory infections. Training in leadership or management.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least 10 years of international and national relevant professional experience in public health with demonstrated contribution to infectious disease prevention and control, particularly in those competencies critical for promoting a public health perspective and approach, such as infectious disease prevention, preparedness and or control at national and international level, including at least 3 years of management experience at international level in recognized senior leadership/managerial positions with responsibility for managing both human and financial resources. Proven experience in coordinating large scale influenza preparedness projects or initiatives preferably at regional level.
Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO and/or UN sister agencies. Field experience in public health programmes in developing countries.

SKILLS

–> Demonstrated leadership and management skills in international and multi-cultural settings, including the proven capacity to lead and deliver on deadlines during periods of intense stress and activity;

–> Demonstrated ability to provide independent leadership in such periods with capacity to organize, monitor and synthesize information quickly and concisely.

–> Proven ability to successfully coordinate, manage and lead projects, and build partnerships, across agencies and organizational departments in the context of health emergencies.

–> Thorough knowledge of influenza epidemic and pandemic preparedness and other global health security threats and of issues and practices for the prevention, preparedness and control of respiratory diseases. –> Proven experience in leading and managing teams responsible for influenza and pandemic preparedness strategies.

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WHO COMPETENCIES

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

WHO Competencies WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. of Arabic.

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 2743 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.

https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

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.
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