• Country: Kyiv, Ukraine
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both 
• Deadline: 2024-01-14

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) and the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) at the national level:

The incumbent provides technical support to health authorities and partners and coordinates WHO activities in the country, supporting the development and implementation of national plans and critical core capacities for public health and all-hazard health emergencies; as well as supporting activities related to the monitoring, evaluation and objective assessment of public health and IHR country core capacities, ensuring the implementation of the International Health Regulations.

The incumbent provides strategic and technical leadership on all aspects of the public health policy development and implementation cycle, linking upstream determinants of health and inter-sectoral governance for health with downstream health services. In line with the EPW, the unit will have a particular focus on supporting health authorities to strengthen their capacities in assessing and addressing concrete governance challenges to improve transparency and accountability mechanisms within the health system. It will also work to strengthen effective leadership and engagement with other policy sectors and to engage with civil society to build trust and support for public health policies and health systems investment.

Under the overall guidance of Head of WHO Country Office and the direct supervision of WHE Team Lead, the incumbent is assigned the following responsibilities:

1. Lead a team of staff members and consultants assigned to specific technical areas relevant to the public health and IHR/preparedness unit.Coordinate the implementation of WHO activities in the area of Public Health Development, Country Health Emergency Preparedness, IHR including providing support to the Ministry of Health and other sectors in activities which include:

1. • Collaborating the Ministry of Health in developing/updating national implementation mechanisms for the public health law of Ukraine
   • Act as main WHO focal point for interactions with the Government and EURO in public health workforce development
   • Develop/update national emergency preparedness and response plans;
   • Manage the WHO health security portfolio in Ukraine, including the one-health programme and the definition and implementation of strategies and programmes for prevention and mitigation of high-threats pathogens;
   • Act as main WHO focal point for interactions with the Government, EURO and other relevant institutions in regards to environmental health;
   • Create and update the Country Office’s contingency and business continuity plans as well as assisting MoH in creating and updating their national contingency plans;
   • Provide assistance in risk assessments, and critical core capacities for all-hazard health emergencies;
   • Lead the monitoring, evaluation and objective assessment of country core capacities, ensuring the implementation of the International Health Regulations.
   • Lead implementation of a WHO country office strategy on Gender, Equity, and Rights (GER).
2. Under close technical guidance and supervision of the Team lead, provide technical assistance at country level on priority issues such as: EU integration, emergency preparedness, surveillance and response; strengthening health systems, operational readiness and essential public health functions.
3. Engage with UN emergency teams, where relevant and in close collaboration with the Regional Office, support the provision of data and information required for any WHE- and CPS-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 a technical consultation.
4. Promote partnerships in the country with relevant health stakeholders, to ensure the successful implementation, monitoring and evaluation of capacities in line with IHR (2005) requirements, as well as the identification of financing for WHO country plans in the public health and IHR/preparedness functional areas.
5. Link with institutions, associations and non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches.
6. Conduct preparations of missions to the country and support consultants in country.
7. Assist the Head of WHO Country Office in all managerial, administrative and liaison activities with the Regional Office and support the effective implementation of all WHO activities in the country in public health and IHR/preparedness functional areas, as elaborated in the BCA, CCS or other WHO action plans.
8. Perform other related responsibilities, including replacing and/or backstopping.
9. Support other WHE or CPS programme areas, as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: University degree in medicine, a health – related field and/or public health-related discipline.
Desirable: Masters degree or post graduate training in Public Health or relevant health related areas. Specialized training in emergency/disaster preparedness and response.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Essential: Minimum five years of national professional experience in planning, developing and implementing programmes/projects in the area of 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. Relevant experience in the implementation of International Health Regulations (2005).

SKILLS

• Knowledge of Public health and 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.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure.
• Knowledge of the UN and development systems and/or humanitarian systems for emergency response and preparedness.

COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Producing Results
• Creating an empowering and motivating a changing environment

LANGUAGES

Essential: Expert knowledge of English, Ukrainian and Russian.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of official WHO EURO languages.

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