OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The objectives of the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & the International Health Regulations (CPI)include the assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of countries preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning and country capacity building for critical capacities, the provision of technical support to WHOs regional and country offices and countries in their effort to strengthen intersectoral national preparedness and readiness capacity for the early detection, timely and effective response, to public health emergencies as required under the International Health Regulations (2005). CPI ensures that needs listed in national action plans are translated into targeted capacity building in the priority/vulnerable countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Advise on the development, implementation, and evaluation of country strategies and work plans pertaining to the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & International Health Regulations national programme, ensuring compliance with WHOs organization-wide CPI strategies.
2. Collect, assess and track the status of technical and financial support to country core capacities, the development of national action plans and the cost to prepare for, detect, and mount a rapid and effective response to public health emergencies, address gaps in close collaboration with respective units and WHO Country Offices.
3. Ensure the documentation of progress, outcomes, and effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation of country capacity, and national action plans related to the implementation of IHR (2005).
4. Manage the IHR work related to the required national procedures, skills, information sharing, and coordination mechanisms established and functioning, particularly through an effective National IHR Focal Point.
5. Where relevant and in close collaboration with the Country Office, support the provision of data and information required for any IHR-related documents to be presented to WHO Governing bodies, for the work and deliberation of an IHR Emergency Committee or an IHR Review Committee or an IHR technical consultation.
6. Implement policies, norms, standards, and guidelines to support the development of critical core capacities for global health security, and provide training and support to national authorities to develop critical core capacities.
7. Promote multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches and activities with key partners, at the country level, such as OIE, FAO, ICAO, UNWTO, to ensure the successful implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of capacities in line with IHR (2005) requirements, as well as the identification of financing for country plans.
8. As and when required, support the assessment of the performance of national transport, tourism, and mass gatherings capacity, the dissemination of practical guidelines and tools to support the enhancement of the national capacities, oversee the effective implementation of national surveillance systems and the implementation of best practices in accordance with IHR (2005) requirements.
9. Represent the CPI at official meetings as needed.
10. Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in public health or Medical degree
Desirable: Specialized training in epidemiology. Specialized training in emergency/humanitarian response. Post-graduate degree in public health or public health-related discipline from an accredited/recognized institute.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of international and national professional experience in planning, developing, and implementing health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control, and/or public health programs. Relevant experience with the inter-agency mechanisms used to coordinate international preparedness for and response to health emergencies, including those most relevant to the coordination of health policy and action in health emergencies. Relevant experience in the implementation of international health Regulations (2005).
Desirable: Demonstrated role in leading institutions for policy development and implementation. Experience in working with WHO or in UN organizations/agencies. Experience in gender-related issues.

Skills

Thorough knowledge of International Health Regulations (2005), the epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats, and of issues and practices for disease prevention and control. Proven ability to coordinate and manage projects, and build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies. Sound tactical thinking with the ability to formulate clear comprehensive strategies and plans. Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure.

WHO Competencies*

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

*Please visit WHO Enhanced WHO global competency model

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Expert knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other WHO languages.

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 77,326 (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 2494 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.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. 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 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 WHOs 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 

• For information on WHOs operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates