Purpose of the Position
In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme,, the incumbent will manage the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the health expertise and operations. This includes dissemination of risk communication messages, the strengthening of early warning and surveillance systems, the delivery of quality health services and the undertaking of operational and scientific research to improve interventions. The incumbent will be deployed to emergency operations when required.
Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective: The mission of WHOs 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.
Organizational context
Reporting to the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) Lead and under the leadership of the Head of WHO Country Office,, in close coordination with other members of the incident management (IMS) WHE team and the respective regional office and WHO/HQ, the incumbent manages WHO health programmes in response to outbreaks and health emergencies and has front line responsibility for the Health Operations Section. S/he will ensure the technical pertinence and scientific soundness of the operations.
This requires ongoing contacts with counterparts from health cluster partners, other technical staff in partner agencies (both within and outside the UN system), and counterparts of ministries of health (MOH). S/He will work with technical staff at the three levels of the organization.
The present position under WHE (which is a single programme across the Organization) may be relocated to another duty station, including at Regional or Country level, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.
Summary of Assigned Duties
Depending on the level and complexity of the incident, the incumbent might be performing all or some of the following duties
- Manage the team, guide, and ensure implementation of the response plan. Set standards and norms, develop and disseminate technical guidance and validate training, resource mobilization and communication materials.
- Under the guidance of the WHE lead, manage the coverage of all health operations in support to the MOH, work with partners and facilitate the implementation of WHO`s most effective prevention, control and response measures.
Health resources availability and populations needs
- In close collaboration with the Health Cluster and the Health Information Management teams, oversee the implementation of in-depth health sector assessments using harmonized tools, and agreed needs analysis methodology;
- Actively participate in the Health Cluster needs assessments, including Multi Cluster/Sector Initial Rapid Assessments and Humanitarian Needs Overviews.
Communicable diseases
- Ensure the planning and implementation of communicable diseases programmes addressing the risk of outbreak and/or health emergency, co-develop action plans for interventions in high-risks groups and recommend measures for special attention.
- Monitor the early prevention, detection, verification, assessment and investigation of any risks of outbreaks and the dissemination of data related to the occurrence of outbreaks
- Manage the rapid response teams responsible for the rapid investigation of alerts, field risk assessments and early response.
- Support the information systems on communicable diseases and the monitoring of progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) facilitating integration with the national health information systems.
- Conduct the periodic reporting and treatment of communicable diseases activities.
- Ensure that the messages are technically sound and socio-culturally appropriate to induce, engage and empower stakeholders in the prevention, mitigation and control of risks
Health service delivery
- Assist the national authorities in undertaking vulnerability assessments combining data from the health sector and the social determinants of health, to prioritize interventions according to the severity of needs in the different areas affected by emergencies.
- Support national authorities and partners on equipping the health facilities with the necessary infrastructure, equipment, drugs, public health laboratories and blood safety, and medical supplies to address the existing and foreseen risks and to prevent the dissemination of infectious diseases within the facilities.
- Monitor that health facilities provide quality preventive and curative health care to the affected population and continue to deliver routine essential health services in addition to responding to the cause of the crisis. Make appropriate recommendations where necessary.
- Support capacity-building and training of local staff on best preventive, diagnostic, control and curative knowledge, practices and standards.
Prevention and control measures
- Make recommendations and give guidance on relevant courses of actions to be taken in affected as well as non-affected areas/countries in order to prevent and/or control cause of excess morbidity and mortality.
- Provide technical assistance on vaccination, enhanced surveillance, vector control, infection control (including personal protection), enhanced sanitation and hygiene, increased provision of water and/or nutrients, prepositioning of drugs and medical supplies, etc.
Sciences and research
- Conduct research in etiology, physiopathology, transmission, reliable and rapid diagnostic, effective prevention and treatment of any of the causes of excess morbidity and mortality of the affected population and recommend remedial actions.
- Perform all other related duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Teamwork;
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
- Communication;
- Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Functional Knowledge and Skills
- Demonstrated skills in and knowledge of the rapid response operations and their implementation in emergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations.
- Proven skills to manage multidisciplinary and multinational staff.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and techniques of public health, communicable diseases and health service delivery.
Educations Qualifications
Essential
- Advanced university degree (Master`s level or above) in medicine, public health, epidemiology, tropical medicine, health systems/services administration or related field.
- First university degree in medicine or public health from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable
- Specialized training in emergency management; specific training in humanitarian response.
Experience
Essential
- At least seven years of related experience, at the national and international levels, in health operations, with proven experience in managing outbreaks and health emergencies.
- Related experience in managing human and financial resources.
Desirable
- Relevant work experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency management.
- Related experience in development and implementation of strategies and action plans within WHO and/or UN agencies.
- Experience working in relevant nongovernmental, health cluster partners or humanitarian organizations.
Use of Language Skills
- Excellent knowledge of English or French (depending on the country of assignment).
- Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset
Other Skills (e.g. IT)
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications.
More Information
- Job City Addis Ababa
