PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
In the context of the Outbreaks and Health Emergencies incident management system, the incumbent will manage the development WHO Country Office information and epidemiological data management at the country level. Provide guidance to the incident management team on risk analysis, needs assessment, write situation reports, develop new procedures and best practices, monitoring, project management, information and data management.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objectives
The overall goal of WHO’s Outbreak and Health Emergencies (OHE) Programme is to minimize the health consequences of emergencies due to any biological, natural, technological or societal hazard. Collective and sound health emergency and disaster risk management is essential to health security, to sustainable development and to building the resilience of communities, countries and health systems.
The objectives of WHO’s OHE Programme are: to help Member States build their capacity 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 minimise the impact on the health of affected populations. WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme directs all of the Organization’s work in health emergency risk management, with an all-hazards approach comprising risk reduction, preparedness, readiness, response and early recovery activities, and with a particular emphasis on the identification and mitigation of infectious hazards and risks.
The Programme is responsible for establishing and managing WHO’s operational capacity in acute and protracted emergencies, setting overall strategy and ensuring appropriate operational planning, managing field operations, developing and ensuring adherence to technical standards, and ensuring risk and performance monitoring. The Programme engages in relevant partnerships and inter-agency processes, recognizing that its impact should be optimized by coordinating, leveraging and facilitating the implementation roles of other local, national and international entities and partners best positioned to deliver the relevant clinical or other public health services. WHO’s OHE Programme integrates and operates under the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence in the serving populations affected by outbreaks.
* Organizational context (Describe the individual role of incumbent within the team, focusing on work environment within and outside the organization)
Reporting to the Responsible Officer and under the leadership of the Head of WHO Country Office, the incumbent acts as a specialist to the WHO incident management team on data and public health information management programming, enabling the development, implementation, and monitoring strategies that maximize WHO’s incident management system in the country of deployment. S/he will build partnership between WHO and other UN Agencies and health partners, this includes engaging with the local authorities, UN partners and non-health actors in respect of multi-dimensional planning processes. It also involves communicating with other IHR national focal point and the epi/surveillance. In addition, the position will liaise closely with communications counterparts in the drafting and translation of technical data to ensure the development and dissemination of communications and advocacy products (for OCHA, HPN, donors, health cluster etc) and messaging.
* Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected)
- Conduct epidemiological analysis, needs assessment, collection, and interpretation of all data and information pertaining to the incident, determining and addressing gaps; enabling stakeholders make the best strategic decisions and take the best possible actions.
- Participate in the development of a strategic response framework and joint operations plan in conjunction with relevant internal WHO teams and key operational partners to outline the response strategies to an emergency incident, taking into consideration logistics constraints; ensure that the plans provide clear objectives, timelines and expected outcomes.
- Collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, including the national authorities and country Health Cluster, on the development and implementation of an integrated Strategic Framework for incident management, including in-depth needs analysis, identification of priorities, roles and responsibilities for the health sector/cluster, and a system for monitoring and evaluation of progress.
- Manage the timely collection, analyses, production and dissemination of data/information. This includes developing and writing technical incident specific information (what, where, who, how many, how quickly, current status), internal and external situation reports (SitReps), bulletins, health risk assessments, health needs overviews (HNO), and strategic response plans (SRP).
- Build the capacity of team members and partners involved in the planning and data/information management process; provide ongoing technical guidance and training on planning, quality assurance, performance monitoring, information management and dissemination.
- Successfully influence dialogues and initiatives regarding the development and management of emergency prevention, preparedness, recovery and response plans within the UN system and with other partners at the country level.
- Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.
WHO COMPETENCIES
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
- Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
- Ensuring the effective use of resources
Functional Knowledge and skills
- Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks.
- Proven ability to conceptualize principles, techniques and practices.
- Advanced knowledge of programme management and functioning of WHO and the UN system.
- Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills, negotiation skills.
- High level of analytical skills.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential
- An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in Public Health, Information management, social sciences, or related field, complemented by training in databases development, public health and/or information management from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable
- Specialization in planning and/or information management systems.
- Specific training in humanitarian response or emergency incident management and/or public health.
Experience
Essential
- At least 7 years of related experience in monitoring, needs assessment, project management, data/information management and dissemination in the public health sector or health development sector, at national and international levels, part of which in emergency management or humanitarian context in leadership positions.
- Experience in writing technical public health documents, strategies and/or policies.
Desirable
- Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries.
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)
- Advanced use of MS Office, particularly spreadsheets, data visualization and analysis tools, and databases.
- Design and management of information 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 70,647 (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 2219 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 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.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
- For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.
- Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
More Information
- Job City Addis Ababa
