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Technical Officer

Copenhagen

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Copenhagen
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Division of Health Emergencies (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and 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 Division brings together and enhances WHO's operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. The Programme is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.

The Infectious Hazard Management Programme Area is responsible for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority high-threat infectious hazards. This includes developing and supporting prevention and control strategies, tools and capacities for high-threat infectious hazards, establishing and maintaining experts networks to detect, understand and manage new or emerging high threat infectious hazards as well as providing support for the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.

The High Threat Pathogens (PAT) team develops strategies, guidance, global mechanisms and interventions to address high threat pathogens responsible for epidemics or pandemics thereby reducing their impact on affected populations and limiting their international spread. This team deals with known high threat pathogens such as SARS-CoV2, influenza, Ebola and respiratory infections as well as the implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Team Leader (PAT) and Programme Area Manager IHM, the incumbent will coordinate the development of Regional and Country plans pertaining to the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution and monitor their implementation.

As a team member with expertise in project management and a background in pandemic preparedness, the incumbent will have oversight of the required technical inputs from the team as well as external experts, monitor the implementation of the PIP Regional and Country Office plans and report on progress according to globally agreed indicators.

The incumbent will advocate (when possible) for the incorporation of a human rights and gender equality perspective in policies, workshops, activities (as appropriate) by the actors normally involved in policy-making.

The incumbent exercises judgment and flexibility in the application of guidelines and selection of administrative and technical course of action. For activities not covered by established guidelines and for ad hoc unforeseen situations the incumbent uses initiative and common sense drawn from experience. The incumbent may seek guidance for solutions to complicated programme matters from relevant staff.

The work is guided by World Health Assembly and Regional Committee resolutions, European Programme of Work (EPW), GPW 13, SDGs.

The purpose of the post is to coordinate and monitor the implementation of activities of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework for the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits (PIP Framework) and to support Member States preparedness for influenza, SARS-CoV2 and other respiratory pathogens.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Team Leader and Programme Area Manager of the Infectious Hazard Management (IHM), the incumbent will assist countries in the area of pandemic preparedness by providing input and advice to the implementation of activities under the PIP Framework as described in the PIP Partnership Contribution (PC) Implementation Plan, and across all Outcomes and Outputs. Specifically, the incumbent will:

  1. Support Member States with the revision of their pandemic preparedness plans for influenza and other emerging respiratory pathogens based on lessons identified from the COVID-19 pandemic and including the development of tools and guidance.
  2. Provide input and advice to the development of Regional and Country PIP PC work plans, activities and budget through which changes:
    • Provide technical advice for development of country specific work plans and budgets. Work with countries to ensure plans are achievable and realistic and that approaches to build capacity in the area of influenza contribute to overall strengthening of preparedness and response to epidemics and pandemics caused by influenza or other emerging respiratory pathogens.
    • Support the recruitment of PIP staff in Country Offices.
    • Provide input on indicators for monitoring progress towards project goals.
  3. Provide coordination support to Regional and Country implementation of PIP PC activities:
    • Liaise with technical focal points implementing PC activities at the regional level and country level for Lab & Surveillance (L&S), influenza disease burden, regulatory capacity building, vaccine deployment, risk communications and pandemic preparedness planning to ensure implementation as planned.
    • Support the organization of meetings to launch activities and participate in regional and national level discussions as needed.
  4. Monitor all regional and country, technical and financial, implementation of PIP PC activities in the different technical areas:
    • Regularly monitor technical implementation of activities and progress against indicators, providing recommendations for course corrections as needed.
    • Generate technical and financial progress reports on implementation of all PIP PC activities in the region and its countries, using pre-defined global indicators of success.
    • Ensure timely submission of technical and financial reports to the PIP Secretariat
    • Represent WHO EURO in coordination meetings with WHO HQ and other WHO Regional Offices.
  5. Draft quarterly reports on implementation of PIP PC work plans to monitor the implementation of PIP PC work plans.
  6. Liaise with the PIP Secretariat, including conference calls, meeting attendance and ad-hoc issue resolution. Participate in PIP Framework Advisory Group meetings. Develop briefings on the PIP Framework for governing bodies meetings (EB, WHA, Regional Committee).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in public health. Training in project management

Desirable: Training in pandemic preparedness.

Experience

Essential: Seven years' experience in project management in a health related field, notably monitoring financial and technical resources, and developing and implementing work plans. At least five years' experience in the area of pandemic preparedness planning or health security framework development of which at least two years at the international level.

Desirable: Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.

Skills

  • Demonstrated knowledge of influenza/pandemic preparedness planning issues in national and international contexts.
  • Excellent communication and facilitation skills to integrate planning and monitoring across Headquarters, Regional and Country Offices.
  • Excellent organizational and analytical skills, complemented by good interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Effective writing of technical documents and high level of computer literacy.
  • Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same

WHO Competencies

  • Communication
  • Producing results
  • Teamwork
  • Moving forward in a changing environment
  • Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond


Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian or German 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 75,602 (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 3,238per 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.
  • 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.
This vacancy is now closed.
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