Medical Officer (Resilient Health Systems)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO Sri Lanka Country Office collaborates with the Government of Sri Lanka and relevant stakeholders within theframework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) to actively provide technical support and advice inthe area of health security to reduce the consequences and address public health needs in emergencies and diseaseoutbreaks that includes building country core capacities in the context of International Health Regulations (2005) for prevention; surveillance and control of emerging infectious disease outbreaks, strengthening pandemic influenza preparedness framework including strengthening laboratory and surveillance capacity and risk communications; strengthening antimicrobial surveillance and plan to be in line with Global Antimicrobial Resistance Plan, and supporting the country emergency risk and crisis management; to provide technical support to the WHO Sri Lanka Country office in line with the WHO Sri Lanka Country Cooperation Strategy in reducing the morbidity and mortality from public health emergencies.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

All the Member States of WHO in the South East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. The South-East Asia Region of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with Sri Lanka's population of 21.7 million. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socioeconomic, epidemiologicaland demographic patterns and trends at both aggregateas well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems as well as of the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for Sri Lanka within the framework of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy, is to support Sri Lanka in: (i) providing policy support in service delivery; (ii) Resilience in the face of health emergencies; (iii) addressing NCDs and determinants; and (iv) knowledge based approach to health.The WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) aims to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The WHE Team in WCO is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of countries' preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning and country capacity building for critical capacities and the Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005). CPI has an all-hazards approach and involves all three levels of the Organization. CPI prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low capacity countries. The inter-sectoral nature of emergency preparedness entails for CPI a large partnership with other international organizations and the consideration of several global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, emergencies and disasters, the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework, the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS Pathway), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, regional strategies such as the Asia-Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases (APSED), the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), the European health policy Health 2020, and the regional strategies for disaster risk management. CPI coordinates its activities with international and national initiatives such as the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) 2030.The WHE Team provides technical support to countries and WHO country offices in their effort for all hazards preparedness and readiness for outbreaks and emergencies and to strengthen intersectoral national capacity for the early detection, timely and effective response, to all public health emergencies as required under the International Health Regulations (2005). Working in collaboration with other technical areas, the WHE Team ensures that needs listed in national action plans are translated into targeted capacity building in the priority/vulnerable countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of WR Sri Lanka and overall guidance of the Regional Emergency Director and in collaboration with WCO, SEARO and HQ technical teams, the incumbent will perform the following duties, pro-actively coordinating across three technical areas: emergencies, communicable diseases and health systems:

1. Provide policy advice and support to the government and national counterparts in the development of policy, strategies and plans in the areas of health security and emergency response;

2. Provide technical and operational support, in collaboration with the communicable diseases team, to improve capacities in emergency risk management including development of standard operating procedures, training materials and guidelines; laboratory strengthening and epidemiological surveillance; risk and emergency communication;

3. Develop standard approaches, guidance and tools to support the strengthening and effective implementation of national surveillance systems required under International Health Regulations (2005), including early warning and event-based surveillance;

4. Provide technical support in development of the national anti-microbial resistance plan in line with the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Plan and in implementing the national plan;

5. Provide support to strengthening resilient health systems for UHC including the development of guidance, briefings, publications, tool kits, analysis on maintaining essential health services during emergencies;

6. Identify catalytic areas where disaster risk reduction and climate change mitigation and adaptation measures can be integrated and add value to WHO interventions within the UN development framework;

7. Develop strategic partnerships with the various counterparts and international partners to implement appropriate interventions, including strategic planning, tactical and project planning, facilitation, instruction, and information and documentation development;

8. Assist in resource mobilization in all the areas pertaining to health security and emergency response; and

9. Undertake any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medicine or health sciences and advanced university degree in medicine, health science or a health-related area e.g. epidemiology, public health, health systems.
Desirable: Advanced or specialized training in epidemiology, public health or public health-related discipline or additional qualification in public health emergencies.

Experience

Essential: Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in planning and implementing health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control and/or public health programmes, including considerable international experience in preparedness and response to health emergencies.
Desirable: Relevant work experience in countries of the WHO South-East Asia Region. Relevant experience with WHO and/or other UN agencies. Field experience in public health programmes or emergency response programmes in developing countries

Skills

- Knowledge of outbreaks and emergency risk management in WHO's and the UN System.

- Sound management skills with ability to manage human and financial resources.

- Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven ability to communicate in a clear and effective way including through discussions, reports, briefing notes, project proposals, and PowerPoint presentations.

- Using tact, diplomacy and courtesy to improve internal and external relationships and lead to more successful outcomes.

- Thorough knowledge of IHR (2005), the epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats, and of challenges and opportunities for disease prevention and control.

- Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 89,837 (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 2441 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 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.

• 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

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

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.