WHO Health Emergencies Programme Country Team Leader

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHE is to help countries coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned the following responsibilities:

1. Provide technical leadership and support in strengthening Member States' capacities including preparedness for managing health security threats, information management and risk assessments, infectious hazard management and emergencies in the country:
• Provide technical leadership and support in implementing IHR (2005) core capacities through the implementation of APSED III, including strengthening the IHR National Focal Point function;
• Strengthen disaster risk management for health including disaster preparedness and response;• Provide guidance on the development and implementation of national action plans, including national action plans for health security and pandemic preparedness plans, incorporating lessons from previous events such as COVID-19;
• Provide support in the management of infectious hazards, enhanced surveillance and response for the control of influenza, emerging infectious diseases and zoonoses;
• Provide technical support in the planning and implementation of field epidemiology training, analyse and interpret epidemiological information and in monitoring epidemiological services;
• Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and other partner organizations in order to strengthen mechanisms to address cross-cutting issues related to communicable disease response capacity such as, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), infection control and diagnostic microbiological services in Cambodia.

2. Contribute and participate in regional/global event-based surveillance analysis and joint risk assessment including timely information sharing.

3. In coordination with the Regional Office improve the country preparedness and readiness by supporting, coordinating and reporting results of IHR monitoring and evaluation framework activities within country including state party annual reporting, joint external evaluations, after action reviews and simulation exercises. Support for periodic intra-action reviews should also be provided.

4. Manage outbreaks and emergencies through the principles of an Incident Management System (IMS) and ensure application of established technical guidance and standards of IMS functions; support the HWO Cambodia in government relations to ensure an effective response.

5. Foster strong country-level emergency-related partnerships: build and coordinate partner networks and coordinate response partners during graded and protracted events.

5a. Lead the One Health and related working groups in the country office, liaising and coordinating with Quadripartite partners within country to support regional and global efforts on all issues related to One Health and zoonotic diseases;

5b. Coordinate the work on AMR across the WCO Cambodia technical teams with specific responsibility within WHE for laboratory-based surveillance of AMR pathogens and outbreak response. Provide leadership for AMR country development partners, particularly quadripartite agencies, and technical guidance to the government.

6. Lead workplan development, financial and human resources (HR) planning processes, and oversee country workplans and financial and HR management and implementation within his/her authorities. Play a key role in overseeing sound and effective leadership, motivation, guidance, management and performance evaluation of WHE staff in the country office.

7. Drive and guide resource mobilization activities, working closely with the resource mobilization of WHO Cambodia, RED, and WHO resource mobilization teams.

8. Provide technical support to strengthen health systems, water sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities, national food safety system and other cross-cutting issues, as required.

9. Foster close collaborative work with other technical programmes and represent the WHE team.

10. Upon request, provide technical and managerial support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency activities at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency.

11. Perform other related duties, as requested by the supervisor, including provision of support to other areas of work and teams or programme areas, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master's level university degree in health-related field, medicine or public health from an accredited/recognized institution.
Desirable: Specialized training in epidemiology, communicable diseases, health, outbreak and/or emergency management.

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/ .

Experience

Essential: Minimum of ten years of relevant experience, at national and international level, in multisectoral coordination, strengthening country capacities and responding to emergencies and disasters, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters or complex emergencies. Experience in coordinating operational activities in preparedness and response with a range of actors.
Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO and/or other UN agencies. Field experience in public health programmes or outbreak and emergency surveillance and response programmes in developing countries.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of the rapid response operations and their implementation in emergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations, to lead and direct multidisciplinary and multinational staff.
• Excellent skills in the assessment, monitoring, analysis and evaluation of emergency situations, with the ability to conceptualize and implement innovative strategies and advocate their implementation.

• Authoritative and comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and techniques in international emergency response.
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks.
• Strong operational competencies in managing and coordinating humanitarian programme cycle, including efficient human and financial resource management.
• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Driving the Organization to a successful future
Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other UN 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 92,731 (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 3130 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

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