Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Health emergencies continue to have significant and sometimes catastrophic impacts on countries' health, economies and development. Both recent and ongoing public health events have demonstrated that the many communities remain at the high risk, and that strong levels of national preparedness across all relevant sectors are crucial to ensuring the effective management of health emergencies, when they occur. They also illustrate the need for scaling up the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) that requires countries to build and maintain the capacities to prevent, detect and rapidly respond to, and recover from public health emergencies, anchored on strong and resilient health systems. The Emergency Preparedness Division contributes to the implementation of the WHO Global Programme of Work (GPW 13) and is guided by WHO strategic priorities to keep the world safe, improve health and serve the vulnerable. The WHO strategic priorities drive the progress in health towards Universal Health Coverage, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and speaks particularly to SDG 3, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The Health Security Preparedness (HSP) department supports Member States in enhancing national preparedness across the IHR core capacities to manage all-hazard risks and emergencies, and to build multisectoral approaches for health security. It ensures that WHO supports Member States to build sustainable preparedness capacities and scale up the implementation of the IHR (2005), and support the implementation of the Sendai Framework, the WHO Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Framework, Paris Agreement on Climate Change and other related global and regional frameworks. The department also establishes strategic links to, and supports the advancement of global initiatives such as GPMB, GHSA, EU ACP, Health and Security Alliance, Foreign Affairs for Global Health initiative and the UN System Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience. HSP works with partners and the broader global heath security community to ensure that the most vulnerable communities in all countries are protected from the impact of health emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority and under the technical guidance of the Team Lead Human Animal Interface (HAI), the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following activities:

• Support the development and implementation and evaluation of the impact of the WHO/OIE IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshops (NBW). This includes but is not limited to improving the format of the NBW, developing a roster of experts able to conduct the NBW, organizing training sessions for these experts and support the implementation of the NBW program in requesting countries, in close collaboration with the regional offices and OIE, documenting models of implementation, evaluating outcomes and impact, and disseminating findings. This includes support to regional offices and countries for the implementation of the NBW roadmaps. Work with the other teams in HSP to ensure the consideration of the animal health sector in the assessment, implementation and evaluation of the components of their activities, including IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Framework and in the development of national action plans for heath security.

• Provide technical inputs for the development and delivery of One Health Training material to strengthen human resource capacities within WHO, Governments and Partners.

• Participate in the development and management of technical projects with an animal-human interface component in close collaboration with WHO Regional and Country Offices and external partners as appropriate.

• Contribute to the bridging between preparedness and response at the human animal interface and provide epidemiological input and technical support during zoonotic events risk assessment and response.

• Perform other related responsibilities, including replacing and/or backstopping

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• First University degree in veterinary medicine.

Desirable:

• Advanced degree in public health, degree in epidemiology with a special focus in tropical and/or zoonotic diseases would be an advantage.

Experience

Essential:

• At least five years' experience on prevention, surveillance, detection and response to infectious zoonotic diseases of which some at international level.

• Experience in adult learning methods and implementation of training workshops at national/international level.

• Demonstrated exposure at the international level.

Desirable:

• Experience of work in the area of surveillance and preparedness for pandemic diseases and other health emergencies, preferably at the international level.

• Previous experience in working with UN agencies and other relevant international organizations.

• Experience in the development and management of multi-partners projects.

Skills

• Knowledge of WHO, the UN System work in the field of disease detection and response relief and/or of their practices and procedures as related to the work.

• Concrete skills and knowledge in the field of human health and animal health sectors.

• Concrete knowledge of International Health Regulations (IHR). Open mind, ability to understand different perspectives and manage partnerships, excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to coordinate activities and manage several projects at the same time.

• Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual information.

• Good understanding of training approaches.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

• Intermediate knowledge of French.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of WHO Language.

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 62,120 (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 4214 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 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.

• 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.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.