Advisor, Emergency Operations Center

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Health Emergencies and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Emergency Operations (PHE/EMO), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Manage the Organization’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to effectively respond to disasters and emergency situations; monitor events to anticipate possible threats and alert corresponding technical entities, Country Office Representatives, Center Directors, Executive Management and key partners; ensure that the EOC is prepared to operate under the Incident Management System and that all systems are in place to ensure the EOC can function during extended hours (staffing, IT support, video conferencing, etc.);
2. Coordinate and manage relationships with a wide variety of internal and external operational actors, including: Health Cluster Coordinators; the Organization’s health emergencies and disaster focal points in Country Offices; Emergency Operations Centers in national agencies; the United Nations and Inter-American systems; the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; military organizations and NGOs;
3. Prepare recommendations for the development, implementation, monitoring and dissemination of operational procedures, guidelines and standards within the EOC and Response Teams to ensure alignment with modalities of work at Headquarters, Country Offices and Centers; review and update the Organization’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for emergencies on an annual basis;
4. Design and implement ongoing staff training and simulation exercises for the PAHO Emergencies Task Force, as well as prospective personnel when the Corporate Disaster and Emergency Plan is activated; provide technical advice to Member States and Country Offices of the Organization on how to organize emergency operation centers to monitor crises; create and maintain rosters of experts to ensure all critical functions of the PAHO Institutional Response to Emergencies and Disasters policy and key procedures;
5. Coordinate the production of technical information and data on disasters and emergencies in close collaboration with the Unit of Health Emergency Information and Risk Management, including data analysis and preparation of reports to facilitate information sharing, decision-making and response to events. Liaise with PHE Advisors to ensure broadest dissemination possible to international community and general public;
6. Provide technical support and advice to the Incident Managers nominated by the Director on the chain of command, type of response expected, and coordination of staff working in the EOC when corporate response is activated;
7. Supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;
8. Identify, organize and store Organization-wide operations response lessons learned and ensure their implementation at all levels specifically in the corporate response policy documents and e-manual;
9. Contribute to the preparation of biennial work plan (BWP) and budgets, semiannual work plans and periodic evaluations for assigned projects; participate in the performance monitoring of the Unit;
10. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health or natural science, and a master’s degree in public administration, management, disaster management, logistics, or in any of the fields related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

Desirable: Specialized training in emergency management and specific training in humanitarian response would be an asset.

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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience:

Essential: Nine years combined national and international experience in the public or private health sector in emergency/disaster/humanitarian management and program/project management.

Desirable: Experience in providing direct managerial, administrative or logistic support to field projects in large private or public institutions would be an asset.

SKILLS:

PAHO Competencies:

• Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
• Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
• Communication: Share knowledge - Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment: Provide direction - Manages individual and group projects and ensures that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clearly defined, understood and accepted; delegates work appropriately to achieve best results.
• Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results - Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
• Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration - Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical and practical expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to disaster management, situation room or incident room management.
• Knowledge and skills in project planning, management and evaluation, including resource mobilization and grant management.
• Knowledge and understanding of database systems to support planning, monitoring and evaluation of the technical cooperation strategy and work plan; familiarity with emergency communications equipment and services.
• Ability to coordinate, monitor and control administrative and logistical services affecting several projects and involving the allocation of work, developing/adjusting operational procedures.
• Strong public health and strategic thinking background showing resourcefulness, initiative, leadership qualities and skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations on key political and technical issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Microsoft SharePoint and Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

USD $74,913.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment: 49.6% of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

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 may be used as a form of screening.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.

Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.

Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post. The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.