Organization: WHO – World Health Organization
Location: Istanbul
Grade: Mid level – P-3, International Professional – Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Closing Date: 2025-02-11

Goals of the initiative

In order to contain all hazard emergencies as defined by the IHR (2005) and to effectively aid and recover impacted populations, the Division of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) aims to increase Member States’ ability to evaluate, prevent, and manage health emergency risks. It also leads and coordinates the international health response.
In order to address all health threats throughout the risk management cycle in a predictable, competent, dependable, flexible, and responsible way, the WHE Division unifies and strengthens WHO’s operational, technical, and normative skills in health emergencies and risk analysis.

In accordance with strategies that enhance regional and national capacities, the program is intended to function within the larger humanitarian and emergency management framework to assist those who are at risk of or impacted by epidemics and emergencies.

Through creative, cooperative, and sustainable approaches to capacity building, the European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies (PHHE) seeks to increase WHO/EURO Member States’ preparedness for humanitarian and health emergencies. This includes creating and implementing training opportunities in emergency and disaster risk reduction, offering specialized country support in sustainable capacity building, and making it easier for the region’s member states to access resources for capacity building.

Responsibilities:

Within the framework of the delegated authority, and under the guidance of PHHE Head of Office, the incumbent is assigned the following duties:

Participate in the WHO Secretariat of the Pan-European Network for Disease Control (NDC)

1. Support to the functioning of the NDC:
   • Contribute to the expansion of the NDC through the inclusion of additional members, facilitating their induction.
   • Coordinate closely with the Steering Group (SG) to establish the NDC and ensure its full functionality including administrative support as needed.
   • Ensure the development and the implementation of the NDC workplans
   • Provide essential support to the SG in overseeing the implementation of the NDC activities.
   • Draft necessary reports and meeting minutes for the SG.
   • Prepare SG and annual meetings of the Network, including documentation distribution to the members and working groups, meeting scheduling and facilitation of agenda items as needed
2. Knowledge sharing and communication:
   • Facilitate and improve the quality and availability of information on the NDC for distribution to members and stakeholders.
   • Respond to information requests, forwarding them to authorized spokespeople as appropriate according to the subject matter of the inquiry.
   • Facilitate the exchange of information among SG members, the NDC members and the NDC working groups.
   • At the request of the SG, work closely with the WHO Communication Officers to develop and implement strategic communication and outreach plans and related documents.
   • Prepare and distribute meeting minutes and an annual report of the NDC activities.
3. Strengthening of partnerships and collaboration to advance the NDC agenda, visibility and fundraising as appropriate:
   • As appropriate, and on behalf of the SG, or by direction of the Chair or Vice Chair, represent the NDC at meetings.
4. Finance and Human Resources:
   • Contribute to the development and management of the budget for the NDC activities.
   • Contribute to fundraising efforts, grant applications, and resource mobilization.
5. Natural Disaster Preparedness:
   • Support the development of technical activities related to natural disasters preparedness at PHHE.
6. General:
   • Support the Head of office in the development of the PHHE activity reports.
   • Perform any other duties assigned by the Head of the Office.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First University degree (Bachelor’s level or above) in health related, including Public Health, Medicine, Emergency Management, Disaster Management or Biomedical Sciences.

Desirable: Postgraduate degree in one of the above fields and/or a combination of training in project management and experience in network coordination.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of relevant work experience, at national and international levels, in public health, project management in a health-related field, notably developing and implementing work plans, preparing technical and progress reports.
Desirable: Experience in response to health emergencies; Experience with inter-agency collaboration or in WHO, UN, UN Agencies or other international organisations in the area of humanitarian and health emergencies. Experience with managing networks and partnerships.

Skills

1. Demonstrated knowledge in preparedness for humanitarian and health emergencies and emerging diseases in international context as well as strong skills related to managing international coalitions and networks.
2. Proven ability to create a positive, inclusive and supportive coalition and network environment, managing various stakeholders and creating a collaborative environment.
3. Demonstrated knowledge in Collaborative surveillance and/or infectious disease epidemiology, prevention or control.
4. Ability to conduct research and analyze results, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening collaborative surveillance.
5. Good understanding of the WHO Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience architecture (HEPR)
6. Demonstrated experience in development of knowledge management platforms and in data visualisation.
7. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, advocate, motivate and resolve conflict.
8. Proven ability to interact in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environment involving technical, cultural and political elements.
9. Sound analytical and organizational skills.
10. Excellent presentation and communication skills, both oral and written.
11. Proven ability to work and produce results under pressure in critical situations.
12. Tact, diplomacy, and courtesy.
13. Sound knowledge in project management.
14. Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing Results
Ensuring effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge (mother tongue/advanced) of English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of any other UN 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 70,212 (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 2246 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the 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 WHO’s 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 shws@who.int.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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