OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of WHO 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.
WHE 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. WHE 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 Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) programme area of WHE is responsible for providing timely and authoritative situation analysis, risk assessment and response monitoring available for all major health threats, events and emergencies. This includes detecting, verifying and assessing the risk of potential and ongoing health emergencies, establishing data collection mechanisms and monitoring ongoing health emergency operations, providing data management and analytics, and reporting platform to produce and disseminate timely emergency health information products
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DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
1. Lead and direct all aspects of the HIM programme area work in information management:
a. Coordinate the unit, promoting an environment of professional inquisitiveness, anticipating new challenges and seeking solutions and evaluating their effectiveness, demonstrating to stakeholders and collaborators a commitment to excellence;
b. Build and facilitate the effective functioning of WHO and interagency data and information networks for tracking, analysing and reporting on all health hazards associated with outbreaks and emergencies, across the risk management cycle; and
c. Lead the teams responsible for risk assessment of all acute public health events including outbreaks, and contribute to global intelligence and risk assessment for response.
2. Implement and manage the information network:
a. Implement protocols for data gathering and analysis;
b. Provide evidence for the impact of interventions during outbreaks and emergencies;
c. Investigate the origins of outbreaks and emergencies with a view to their prevention in future; and
d. Contribute to assessments of the resources needed to contain and resolve outbreaks and emergencies.
3. Set norms and standards:
a. Adapt regionally and apply international standards and consensus for data collection and data sharing, including surveillance methods, monitoring and evaluation techniques, and mechanisms for the dissemination and communication of information;
b. Refine and update protocols data gathering and analysis on the basis of learning and experience; and
c. Develop and implement strategies and policies to improve the collection and use of health information.
4. Build capacity:
a. Develop and conduct training courses and capacity-building exercises for data collection and analysis and the communication of quantitative information; and
b. Provide expert advice on methods for the collection and analysis of data and information throughout the organization and beyond.
5. Communicate data and results to governments, donors, scientists, research institutions and the media, extending the programmatic reach of the Organization and building collaborative networks.
6. Build awareness with recipient and donor communities of the importance of information management as part of outbreak and emergency risk management.
7. Provide guidance on responsible and long-term investment to support information management in emergencies.
8. Represent the Regional Emergency Director (RED) on all aspects of HIM work, as requested by RED.
9. Play a key role in overseeing sound and effective leadership, motivation, guidance, management and performance evaluation of HIM staff, including proactively promoting effective team work and achievement of results and resolving problems, within the framework of WHO Staff Rules and Regulations and WHE-accepted procedures; and managing HIM regional budget within the framework of WHO Staff and Financial Rules and Regulations.
10. Provide technical support in Member States' implementation of Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III) and International Health Regulations or IHR (2005) and capacity-building in response to and preparedness for public health emergencies as needed.
11. Upon request, provide technical and managerial support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency activities at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency.
12. Perform other related duties as required by the RED of the WHE
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in information management, epidemiology, public health and/or health information or related field from a recognized university.
Desirable: Specialized training in epidemiology. Specialized training in emergency/humanitarian response. Training in leadership or management
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Experience
Essential: Minimum 10 years of proven experience in information management in the context of international public health programmes, including at least five years of management experience in recognized senior leadership positions with direct responsibility for managing both human and financial resources.Proven experience in coordinating large scale projects with high political impact in developing countries. Relevant experience with the interagency mechanisms used to coordinate international preparedness for and response to health emergencies, including those most relevant to coordination of health policy and action in health emergencies.
Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO and/or UN agencies. Experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations. Field experience in public health programmes or emergency response programmes in developing countries
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Skills
-Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills in international and multicultural settings combined with proven ability to successfully coordinate, manage and lead projects, and build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies.
-Sound strategic and tactical thinking with ability to formulate clear comprehensive policies, strategies and plans.
-Superior organizational skills with ability to multitask and produce results under pressure.
-Excellent interpersonal with proven ability to communicate in a clear and effective way, with tact, diplomacy and courtesy.
-Proven experience in information management for acute and protracted public health emergency response efforts, including infectious disease outbreaks.
-Thorough knowledge on epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats and of issues and practices for the prevention and control of disease.
-Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct
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WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other UN languages
.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 85,543 (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 3015 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
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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.
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
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