Health Emergency Officer Full-Time

Objectives of the programme

Objectives of the Programme and of the unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):To provide leadership, technical orientation and support to Member States of the WHO African Region based on the resolutions and recommendations of the Governing Bodies. In addition, the program contributes to [he Transformation Agenda of the Regional Office regarding prevention, prediction. early detection, early warning, rapid effective response, and reeovery acfivities to public health effects of emergencies and disasters including disease outbreaks, using an all-hazard approach. WHO Programme Budget Category 5 Preparedness, Surveillance Response’ focuses on strengthening institutional, international and country capacities in prevention, preparedness, response and recovery capabilities for all types of hazalds, and emergencies which nose a threat to human health. The capacities needed for health security and in public health emergencies include those identified in the International Health Regulations (2005) (emerging or re-emerging human and monotic diseases with the potential to cause outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, food-safety incidents, chemical and radio nuclear incidents, and andmicrobial drug resistance), as well as ha.zard-specific capacities related to other natural hazards. The category also encompasses ensuring rapid, effecfive and predictable response operations in and profraeted emergencies arising from any hamrd with health consequences.

Description of duties

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative/Mozambique, and in close coordinatioo with the technical team in the regional office, the Technical Offcer – Health Security and Emergencies will be responsible for the following:1-Health Security Planning and Coordination• Supports the Ministry of Health in identiUing and maintaining a comprehensive list of health sector stakeholders including national health authorities, relevant national and-International organizations and civil society in the context ofhealth security emergency preparedness and response;2.Preparedness and Emergency Management and Response SystemsAssesses and supports capacity building for prediction, timely detection, early warning, and effective preparedness, investigation and response to outbreaks and health emergencies in line With IDSR, IHR and ERF;Provides support to the country to develop plans for integrated approaches for readiness and response to major epidemic prone diseases and public health emergencies;Assesses and map existing and emerging health risks in the country and prepare a national risk profile based on a risk assessment/profiling exercise;Advises the Ministry of Health (MOH) on the establishing/strengthening of an incident Management System/Emergency Operation Center (IMS/EOC) for key functional areas (including technical operations, logistics, data management, plmning and administration);Supports the regular testing of the healthemergency response system through functionnl exercises at the national and local levels. including linkages with national and sub national disaster management authority; Strengthens procedures for requesting and receiving bilateral, regional and international assistance for emergency response;Supports ongoing development and strengthening of existing relationships with Government and other partners with regards to emergency risk management;Supports the implementation ofERF and after-event reviews for emergencies.3.PIanning and FinancingDevelops a detailed task-based work plan and budget for implementation of priority activities identified in the National Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan;Develops a detailed country budget for preparedness and response, including mechanisms in place that allow financial resources to be available for rapid response at all levels, as well as accessible contingency funds for immediate response to health emergencies, including outbreaks at national and sub-national levels;Ensures procedures, plans or strategteg are in place, implemented and reviewed to reallocate or mobilize resources from national and sub-national levels to support action At community/primary responselevel;In coordination with EOC, MoH and other stakeholders prioritize, prepare, consolidate and submit projects and proposals for health emergency management, including preparedness and response;Performs all other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor.In coordination with EOC, MOH and other stakeholders prioritize, prepare, consolidate and submit projects and proposals for health emergency management,ss

Required qualifications

Education

• Essential: University Degree in Medicine with a Post-Graduate Degree in Public Health/Outbreak and Emergency Management/Humanitarian Relief/Epidemiology or related field;
• Desirable: Doctorate in Health Sciences or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• At least seven (07) years of relevant progressive experience in outbreak or emergency response or management or strengthening country capacities for responding health emergencies;
• Working experience on outbreak or health emergencies in Africa, At least 5 years of field experience of WHO. the UN System or NGO in the field of emergency preparedness and outbreak response operations.

Desirable:

• Proven experience in conducting and managing exercise and simulations;
• Proven experience in multisectorial coordination. Experience working with bilateral or multilateral organizations or WHO/ UN would be an asset;
• Experience in coordination of different programs at supervisory level.

Skills

• Functional Sldlls and Knowledge (Describe skills and knowledge specific to the post);
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to coordinate activities and multitask; Strong program management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability ta negotiate with convince omcials with tactand diplomacy;
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual information.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Beginners knowledge of PORTUGUESE.
  Desirable:

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 73,516 (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 2481 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.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO’s workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• 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.