Health Operations Manager
Kinshasa
- Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
- Location: Kinshasa
- Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
-
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Public Health and Health Service
- Managerial positions
- AF_COD Democratic Republic of Congo
- Closing Date: Closed
1. Background and Justification
Purpose of the Position
In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS) at the country
level, the incumbent will manage the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the
health expertise and operations. This includes dissemination of risk communication messages, the
strengthening of early warning and surveillance systems, the delivery of quality health services and
the undertaking of operational and scientific research to improve interventions. Job Description
Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective
The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to
coordinator international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from
outbreaks and emergencies.
Organizational context (Describe the individual role of incumbent within the team, focusing
on work environment within and outside the organization)
Reporting to the Incident manager and under the leadership of the Head of WHO Country Office, in
close coordination with other members of the incident management (IMS) WHE team and the
respective regional office and WHO/HQ, the incumbent manages WHO health programmes in
response to outbreaks and health emergencies and has front line responsibility for the Health
Operations Section. S/he will ensure the technical pertinence and scientific soundness of the
operations.
This requires ongoing contacts with counterparts from health cluster partners, other technical
staff in partner agencies (both within and outside the UN system), and counterparts of ministries
of health (MOH). S/He will work with technical staff at the three levels of the organization.
Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main
objectives; include main achievements expected):
During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the
technical needs of the Programme.
Depending on the level and complexity of the incident, the incumbent might be performing all or
some of the following duties:
• Manage the team, guide, and ensure implementation of the response plan. Set standards and
norms, develop and disseminate technical guidance and validate training, resource
mobilization and communication materials.
• Under the guidance of the Incident Manager, manage the coverage of all health operations in
support to the MOH, work with partners and facilitate the implementation of WHO’s most
effective prevention, control and response measures.
Health resources availability and populations needs
1. In close collaboration with the Health Cluster and the Health Information Management teams,
oversee the implementation of in-depth health sector assessments using harmonized tools, and
agreed needs analysis methodology;
2. Actively participate in the Health Cluster needs assessments, including Multi Cluster/Sector
Initial Rapid Assessments and Humanitarian Needs Overviews.
Communicable diseases:
1. Ensure the planning and implementation of communicable diseases programmes addressing the
risk of outbreak and/or health emergency, co-develop action plans for interventions in high-risks
groups and recommend measures for special attention.
2. Monitor the early prevention, detection, verification, assessment and investigation of any risks of
outbreaks and the dissemination of data related to the occurrence of outbreaks
3. Manage the rapid response teams responsible for the rapid investigation of alerts, field risk
assessments and early response.
4. Support the information systems on communicable diseases and the monitoring of progress
towards universal health coverage (UHC) facilitating integration with the national health
information systems.
5. Conduct the periodic reporting and treatment of communicable diseases activities.
6. Ensure that the messages are technically sound and socio-culturally appropriate to induce,
engage and empower stakeholders in the prevention, mitigation and control of risks
Health service delivery
7. Assist the national authorities in undertaking vulnerability assessments combining data from the
health sector and the social determinants of health, to prioritize interventions according to the
severity of needs in the different areas affected by emergencies.
8. Support national authorities and partners on equipping the health facilities with the necessary
infrastructure, equipment, drugs, public health laboratories and blood safety, and medical
supplies to address the existing and foreseen risks and to prevent the dissemination of infectious
diseases within the facilities.
9. Monitor that health facilities provide quality preventive and curative health care to the affected
population and continue to deliver routine essential health services in addition to responding to
the cause of the crisis. Make appropriate recommendations where necessary.
10. Support capacity-building and training of local staff on best preventive, diagnostic, control and
curative knowledge, practices and standards.
Prevention and control measures
11. Make recommendations and give guidance on relevant courses of actions to be taken in affected
as well as non-affected areas/countries in order to prevent and/or control cause of excess
morbidity and mortality.
12. Provide technical assistance on vaccination, enhanced surveillance, vector control, infection
control (including personal protection), enhanced sanitation and hygiene, increased provision of
water and/or nutrients, prepositioning of drugs and medical supplies, etc.
Sciences and research
13. Conduct research in etiology, physiopathology, transmission, reliable and rapid diagnostic,
effective prevention and treatment of any of the causes of excess morbidity and mortality of the
affected population and recommend remedial actions.
14. Perform all other related duties as assigned.
2. Recruitment Profile
Competencies:
Generic
Describe the core, management or leadership competencies required. (See WHO
competency model. List in order of priority, commencing with the most important ones)
1. Teamwork;
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
3. Communication;
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5.Creating an empowering and motivating environment
6.Promoting WHO's position in health leadership
Functional Knowledge and Skills
Describe the essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position
• Demonstrated skills in and knowledge of the rapid response operations and their
implementation in emergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated
ability to identify and manage difficult situations.
• Proven skills to manage multidisciplinary and multinational staff.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and techniques of public health,
communicable diseases and health service delivery.
Education Qualifications
Essential
Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in medicine, public health, epidemiology,
tropical medicine, health systems/services administration or related field. First university degree in
medicine or public health from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable
Specialized training in emergency management; specific training in humanitarian response.
Experience
Essential
At least seven years of related experience, at the national and international levels, in health
operations, with proven experience in managing outbreaks and health emergencies. Related
experience in managing human and financial resources.
Desirable
• Relevant work experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency management.
• Related experience in development and implementation of strategies and action plans within
WHO and/or UN agencies.
• Experience working in relevant nongovernmental, health cluster partners or humanitarian
organizations.
3. Use of Language Skills
Excellent knowledge of English or French (depending on the country of assignment). Working
knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.
Other Skills (e.g. IT)
Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications.
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