Date of last update: 02/02/2022 2022-02-02
WHO began when our Constitution came into force on 7 April 1948 – a date we now celebrate every year as World Health Day. We are now more than 7000 people from more than 150 countries working in 150 country offices, in 6 regional offices and at our headquarters in Geneva.
Our primary role is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system and our main areas of work are health systems; health through the life-course; noncommunicable and communicable diseases; preparedness, surveillance and response; and corporate services.
We support countries as they coordinate the efforts of governments and partners – including bi- and multilaterals, funds and foundations, civil society organizations and the private sector.
Working together, we attain health objectives by supporting national health policies and strategies.
WHO works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable.
Our goal is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and well-being.
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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme in Somaliais to coordinate national actions, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies and contribute to building essential public health functions aspart of strengthening and building resilient health systems towards achieving universal health coverage.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The incumbent will be required to perform all or part of the following duties:Strengtheningand testing Emergency Response Systems:Lead WHO'semergency response programme at national or subnational level; Advise the Ministry of Health (MoH) on the establishment / strengthening of an Emergency Management System /Emergency Operation Centre (IMS/EOC) for multi-sectoral emergency response that includes staffing, defined roles/responsibilities and resourcesfor key functional areas. Support the regular testing of the emergency response system through functional exercises at the national and local levels.Coordinate the development, distribution and use of Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) for IMS functions and field activities to manage priority risks (including enhanced surveillance, investigation and rapid response, contact tracing, sampling, infection prevention and control, outbreak vaccination, etc.). Oversee the management and distribution of national medical stockpiles through stockpile management systems.Strengthening and testing Emergency Management Systems:Coordinate all aspects of the emergency programme, at the country level, to ensure the concerted approach of WHO in the areas of emergency information management, Country preparedness and International Health Regulations (2005), risk assessments and Infectious hazard management. Support national and local health authorities, partner with UN agencies, international, governmental and nongovernmental organizations/institutions, to:Strengthen the national capability to prepare and respond to health emergencies from all hazards, ensure the required national procedures, skills, coordination mechanisms and health systems are strengthened to manage identified risks.Assess and map existing and emerging health risks in the country and prepare a national risk profile based on a risk assessment. Develop an integrated disease surveillance and response system by transitioning the existing Early Warning, Alert and Response Network (EWARN) Assess health needs of affected populations in cooperation with technical units at RO and HQ levelAssess capacities for emergency management, including preparedness, and develop a national action plan for health security (NAPHS) as well as other emergency/outbreak specific plansSupport the operationalization of NAPHS and other National Health Emergency Response Plans and contingency plans for specific high priority risks and threats.Mobilize and coordinate resources, oversee the operational and strategic planning of the health response plans, identify resource needs and funding gaps; encourage donors to fund the overall health sector response to affected populations. 7. Represent WHO to external stakeholders, including donors and partners, with respect tothe country operations. Coordinate with other agencies and I/NGOs through theHealth Cluster approach and directly as operational implementing partner. Operations and Finance: Lead the planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of strategies, operational and HR plans for the WHO's overall emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities. Manage sensitive issues arising from the emergency. Oversee the development a detailed task-based work plan and budget for implementation of priority activities identified in the NAPHS and National Health Emergency Response Plan. Ensure the country has accessible contingency funds for immediate response to emergencies, including, outbreaks at national and other appropriate sites. Determine staffing needs, ensure the mobilization of the required human resources. Provide leadership, motivation, guidance, and performance management of staff and experts. Take concrete measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all WHO responders. Develop a more robust operational structure for emergency health teams/rapid response teams at the periphery (sub-national level) through leveraging on the existing polio field staff network as part of the polio transition. Monitoring and reporting:Incooperation with other levels of response authorize the release of related information, communications, advocacy products and statements to internal and external partners as well as to the public. Monitor and provide guidance and briefings to senior and elected officials as required, onthe progress and implementation of preparedness and operational readiness activities in alignment with the national action plan and throughout the full cycle of the emergency, including financial and implementation tracking, and output/impact monitoring. Perform allother related duties as assigned by the WHO Country Representative
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: An advanced university degree in health-related field, management, emergency, humanitarian,disaster management or related field in public health from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Specialized training in emergency and outbreak management; specific training in humanitarian response. Medical degree.
Experience
Essential: At least 10 years of related experience, at the national and international levels, in multi-sectoral coordination, strengthening country capacities and responding to public health events, emergencies and disasters, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters or complex emergencies. Experience in coordinating operational activities in preparedness and response with a range of actors.
Desirable: Relevant work experience with WHO and/or UN agencies, health cluster partners; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.
Skills
Demonstrated knowledge of the rapid response operations and their implementation inemergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations, to lead and direct multidisciplinary and multinational staff.Excellent skills in the assessment, monitoring, analysis and evaluation of emergency situations, with the ability to conceptualize and implement innovative strategies and advocate their implementation.Authoritative and comprehensive knowledgeof the theory, principles, methods and techniques in international emergency incident management system.Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks.Strong operational competencies in managing and coordinating humanitarian program cycle, including efficient human and financial resource management.
WHO Competencies
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Expert knowledge of Local Language.
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 89,837 (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 3242 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
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Type of contract: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)
Macro-area: Sub-Saharan Africa
Level of experience: Senior Professional, more than 5 years
Area of work Definition: Health and Nutrition
Type of organisation: Multilateral Organisations