OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The overall objective of the Cluster is to provide leadership and action in supporting Member States to improve their capacities to implement the International Health Regulations and to detect and rapidly respond to health outbreaks and epidemics in order to contribute to attaining Health Security and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the SDGs in the WHO African Region. The Cluster seeks to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The Cluster 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. It is responsible for the following technical areas - Emergency Preparedness (EMP); Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIR); and Emergency Response (EMR).The Cluster provides leadership and vision to the above and related areas of work in the WHO African Region and facilitates planning, programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of services in an integrated approach. It responds to the needs of the population through collaborating with the ARD, UHC/LC, UHC/CND and UHC/HP Clusters in ensuring that essential health services and systems are maintained and strengthened in fragile, conflict and vulnerable settingsThe Cluster also develops strategic partnerships, mobilizing capacities in the region in pursuit of its objectives and contributes to cross-Cluster resource mobilization in order to achieve health security. The Director's Office is responsible for developing, leading, monitoring and evaluating the work of the EPR Group and coordinating its action with WHO Headquarters, Clusters, and partner agencies and institutions.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:--> Advise the Regional Director on policy, strategic and technical matters related to strengthening the capacity of countries to prepare for health emergencies, to rapidly detect and respond to health emergencies and to prevent epidemics and pandemics, while ensuring that they are operationally ready to assess and manage all-hazards risks and vulnerabilities to ensure health security and to contribute to attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the SDGs in the WHO African Region. --> Provide leadership to staff under his/her responsibility; ensure their continuous training and development; promote an enabling and empowering culture for team leaders in the pursuit of high performance, ethical behaviour and integrity in accordance with the Organization's Policies, Rules and Procedure;--> Lead the region's work in the development of evidence-based policies, strategies and plans for Emergency Preparedness; Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment; and Emergency Response, in countries, ensuring sound technical support for planning, programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;--> Provide WHO Country Offices with authoritative guidance on technical oversight and standards on organizational readiness activities, with a focus on high vulnerability countries (e.g. for annual simulations) in his/her region; is responsible for readiness of the Regional Office. Guides WHO Country Offices in high vulnerability countries to build their core response capacities through critical readiness activities.--> Provide overall oversight of outbreaks and graded acute emergencies which will be managed through the Incident Management System, including having direct supervision of the Incident Manger at country and regional level and coordinating with the DPM and GMC on the management of regional surge capacity within and beyond the EPR Cluster.--> Facilitate collaboration and integrated programmes with other Clusters, HQ, and external partners, in order to expand and scale up delivery of programmes on EPR at national and regional levels --> Build strategic partnerships for Emergency Preparedness; Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment; and Emergency Response to enhance resource mobilization for these important areas in the region, including building and coordinating regional partner networks and coordinates regional response partners during graded and protracted events.--> Drive and guides resource mobilization activities within the Region, working closely with the RD', ExDs and HWCO's resource mobilization teams.--> Contribute to the conceptualization and implementation of integrated approaches in the areas of Emergency Preparedness; Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment; and Emergency Response. in countries, ensuring sound technical support for planning, programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;--> Coordinate and facilitate the development and implementation of the workplan for the cluster and ensure delivery of its major outputs, including effective and efficient use of resources and timely reporting;--> Identify research needs and priorities aimed at improving the response to Emergency Preparedness; ; Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment;; and Emergency Response at country level, including promotion and strengthening of research capabilities;--> Monitor the trends in Emergency Preparedness; Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment; and Emergency Response. document and share the evidence and experiences for policy and programmatic actions, while ensuring ensuring rapid and clear information flows with other Regions and HQ.--> Perform any other duties assigned by the Regional Director and/or the Director, Programme Management.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: Medical degree with postgraduate degree in Public Health or a related field.
Desirable: Specialized training or degree in epidemiology. Specialized training or degree in emergency/humanitarian response. Training in leadership or management.
Experience
Essential: A minimum of fifteen years' national and international experience in managing, planning, developing and implementing health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control and/or public-health, with at least 3 years inclusive in a senior management position at the international level.
Desirable: Working experience in both developing and developed countries, including experience in public health or related fields; Work experiences that are diverse incorporating private sector, NGOs, other UN or governmental Health related agencies will be an advantage
Skills
--> Extensive knowledge of policies, strategies and interventions in management of acute and protracted public health emergency response efforts, including infectious disease outbreaks. --> Knowledge of the epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats and of issues and practices for the prevention and control of disease.--> Familiarity with the work of WHO including the Regional Office, the Executive Board, the World Health Assembly, and the WHO Regional Committee for Africa. --> Ability to exercise leadership and to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels.--> Excellent communication skills with solid writing editing skills.--> Proven ability to plan, execute, supervise and manage a large international health programme--> Ability to work in a multicultural environment
WHO Competencies
Positioning the Organization in Health Leadership
Building and Promoting Partnerships Across the Organization and Beyond
Driving the Organization to a successful future
Producing results
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential:
Proficient knowledge of English and/or French with good working knowledge of the other
Desirable:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.
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 100,800 (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 5082 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.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- 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.
