Technical Officer Emergency Preparedness and Response – WHO jobs in Ethiopia

• Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-03-17

Purpose of the Post:

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, the incumbent will provide technical advice and insight at country level on priority issues pertaining to emergency preparedness, and response, operational readiness and other essential public health functions. Facilitate the development of national plans and critical core capacities for health emergencies; support the monitoring, evaluation and objective assessment of country core capacities and ensure implementation of the International Health Regulations; Support in coordinating in-country activities with partners contributing to emergency preparedness and response, within a country-level response system.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

Organizational Context (Describe the work environment, the role of the individual within the team – team member, specialist, adviser, facilitator, coordinator/manager, representative, expert, authority in the field, etc; available guidelines and degree of independence in decision making, and nature and purpose of contact within and outside the Organization):

Reporting to the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) Lead and under the leadership of the WHO Representative, the incumbent will provide a crucial supportive role in the development, implementation, and monitoring of strategies that maximize the individual and collective impact of WHO throughout the full cycle of emergencies in Ethiopia. The incumbent is expected to adapt relevant WHO guidelines to meet requirements in close coordination with different stakeholders. S/he will engage with the national authorities, UN partners and health and non-health actors to establish strategic partnerships.

Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected):

1. Contribute to development and implementation of operational procedures and structures for efficient managing of response to health emergencies in collaboration with government, incident management teams and partners.
2. Support needs assessments to guide interventions pertaining to emergency preparedness and response.

3. Provide substantive support to development, implementation and evaluation of strategic , operational and biennium plans of Emergency Preparedness & Response cluster ensuring compliance with WHO’s policies and guidelines.
4. Ensure timely and proper implementation of WHO activities in the area of Health Emergency Response and Preparedness & contingency plans in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners
5. Manage, analyze, systematize, and disseminate scientific and evidence-based information and technical knowledge and support the development of WHO situation reports and other related regular reports.
6. Support IHR work related to the required national procedures, skills, information sharing, and ensure that coordination mechanisms are established and functioning, in collaboration with IHR Focal Point
7. Support surveillance team on risk assessments and evaluation of all-hazard health emergencies, including the IHR (2005) in collaboration with public health emergency interventions focal points
8. Track the status of technical and financial support to country core capacities including public health emergency interventions  through the development of national action plans and the costing to prepare for, detect and mount a rapid and effective response to public health emergencies.
9. Coordinate and oversee the different public health emergency interventions in line with WHO’s guidelines and procedures.
10. Provide guidance and training to national authorities to develop critical core capacities.  Support development and implementation of policies, norms, standards and guidelines to enhance critical core capacities for emergency preparedness and response.
11. Collaborate with health cluster, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches
12. Establish and maintain effective communication channels with relevant stakeholders (internal and external) to ensure and support resource mobilization, effective coordination, development of joint response strategies and to enhance collaborative response efforts
13. Proactively participate in operational support responses to health emergencies. Act as a surge capacity when required.
14. Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Competencies (Describe the core, management or leadership competencies required –  See WHO competency model – list in order of priority, commencing with the most important ones – identify a minimum of three and a maximum of five competencies):

1) Fostering integration and teamwork

2) Communicating in a credible and effective way

3) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

4) Producing results

5) Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

6)Ensuring effective use of resources.

*Note: Position descriptions that possess supervisory/managerial responsibilities require one additional mandatory   competency from the Management competencies: *“Creating an empowering and motivating environment.” In addition to the above-mentioned mandatory competencies, the hiring manager can select one or two additional competencies (from the Core, Management or Leadership group) that are considered essential to successfully perform the functions of the position.

Functional Skills and Knowledge (Describe skills and knowledge specific to the post):

• Proven ability to manage projects, build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies.
• Knowledge of IHR (2005), epidemiology of infectious diseases and other health security threats, and best practices for disease prevention & control.
• Sound tactical thinking with ability to formulate clear comprehensive strategies and plans
• Demonstrated capacity to write technical documents and present facts and data in a clear, concise and effective manner
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure.
• Excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of health emergencies and knowledge of the UN and humanitarian systems for emergency response and preparedness.
• Familiarity with other global health security threats in the region, as well as issues and practices for disease prevention and control

Education (Qualifications):

Essential: First level university degree in a health-related field or a medical degree from an accredited/ recognized institute.

Desirable: Post-graduate degree in public health or public health-related discipline from an accredited/recognized institute.  Specialized training in epidemiology or emergency/humanitarian response is an added advantage.

Experience:

Essential: At least 5 years of relevant experience in planning, developing, and implementing health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control, and/or public health programmes.

Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries.

Languages:

Essential : Excellent knowledge of English.

Desirable : Knowledge of the local language(s)

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

Computer literacy.  Familiarity with software of common use.

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