JOBS: National Professional Officer/Emergency Preparedness and Response at World Health Organisation

Job Title:     National Professional Officer/Emergency Preparedness and Response

Organisation: World Health Organisation (WHO)

Vacancy Notice No: AFRO/15/FT609

Grade: NO-C

Reports to: WHO Representative

About WHO:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations (UN) system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative, and working in close collaboration with technical staff at headquarters, Regional and Country Office, the incumbent:

·         Offers technical expertise and guidance in the field of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) including provision of expertise and authoritative advice for the collection, validation, analysis and dissemination of data, the design and implementation of Early Warning and Response System, and the coordination of related activities.

·         The incumbent builds and maintains close collaboration with a broad range of staff from MOH, health facilities District health offices and partners to promote and facilitate effective cooperation for the implementation of related policies and procedures,

·         Draws elaborate strategies and guidelines to ensure the quality and usefulness of EPR interventions including the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, monitoring and rapid assessments when required during emergencies;

·         Offers support in capacity building in the country to meet the core IHR competencies. Monitor progress, identify critical gaps and support the review and re-planning for meeting the required core competencies.

·         Ensures a close contact and collaboration with MOH and district health offices to ensure timely communication of events of potential health risks including disease outbreaks. Monitor trends and report potential emergencies to ensure timely and coordinated response.

·         Actively monitor internal WHO capacity to implement the WHO Emergency Response Framework (ERF) in collaboration with the other units within WHO. Participate in the development of strategies and implementation of interventions to build the WCO capacity to implement ERF.

·         Support the MOH in collaboration with the regional office and HQ to strengthen cross border collaboration, capacity building and information exchange.

·         Secure information from a broad range of health sectors, analysing and recommending actions and guidelines for the elaboration of mediumand long-term plans of work and strategies, including consolidating health data in trends and trends assessment, with particular attention to surveillance, monitoring and early warning;

·         Oversee and actively promote the effective coordination of surveillance and assessment activities with Regional Offices and HQ as well as local, regional and national health entities and other international health partners including UN agencies and NGOs;

·         Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the WR.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

·         The ideal candidates for the World Health Organization (WHO) National Professional Officer/Emergency Preparedness and Response should hold a Medical degree from a recognised university.

·         Possession of a post graduate degree in Public Health and/or Paediatrics.

·         Additional training on disaster management and essential statistical packages and information management system is desirable

·         A minimum of seven years’ hands-on experience in planning, monitoring and supervision of child health activities at national or regional/provincial or district level.

·         Comprehensive working knowledge of surveillance and monitoring systems as related to emergency preparedness and response,

·         Knowledge and skills in the field of epidemiological or statistical data collection, assessment, analysis and the evaluation and monitoring in a public health context.

·         Ability to conceptualize and promote innovative strategies and policies.

·         Ability to communicate and write in a clear and concise manner, and to develop effective guidelines.

·         Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills complemented by ability to motivate and lead others, and to promote consensus.

·         Ability for research and innovations to address critical gaps.

·         Languages: Proficiency in written and spoken English; Knowledge of French would be an added advantage.

WHO Personal Competencies:

·         Knowing and managing yourself

·         Producing results

·         Fosters integration and team work

How to Apply:

All candidates who so desire to join the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) by sending their online applications to enable WHO to store their personal profiles in a permanent database. Visit WHO’s e-Recruitment website below and follow the instructions for online applicationprocedures.

Click Here

NB: All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

Deadline: 19^th November 2015

Click here to see more jobs available