Technical Officer (Clinical Management)

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The purpose of this position is to lead and coordinate the implementation of the WHO Country Office portfolio of clinical management activities (emergency, critical, and operative care), ensuring their alignment with the relevant WHO strategic and normative guidance and country development priorities.

The incumbent is responsible for the supervision and implementation of surge capacity activities for emergency preparedness and readiness, including medical counter measures introduction, Emergency Medical Team (EMT) deployment and chemical, biological, radiological and/or nuclear capacity building (CBRN).

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), at the Regional level, the incumbent is responsible for providing technical support to core clinical capacity development for emergency preparedness and readiness across WHO EURO Member States, with a focus on Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia. The activities will focus on strengthening safe and scalable care capacities under Strengthening the Global Architecture for Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Resilience, and WHO EURO Preparedness 2.0 framework. The incumbent will contribute to the Organization’s emergency response efforts of graded and ungraded events, by providing technical support to Incident Management Support Teams (IMST), Ministries of Health (MOH), and other partners providing particular focus on strengthening clinical management, introduction of medical countermeasures, associated operational research, overseeing and monitoring implementation of care pathways and improving quality of care for affected population throughout the entire incident cycle.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified based on the programme's technical needs.

Duties at the Country Office level:

1. In the context of the Incident Management System, co-develop and co-ordinate the implementation of WHO projects to strengthen provision emergency, critical, and operative care, quality of care and plan for surge capacities. Serve as a technical expert build-up the capacity of national Emergency Medical Teams.
2. Develop national strategies, norms and standards, through introduction and modification of WHO’s technical recommendations and provision of technical support to national stakeholders, technical working groups and/or respective national processes.
3. Lead coordination of national and international partners in the above-mentioned technical areas, ensuring effective use of resources and joint prioritization of support to the country.
4. Lead the clinical and IPC pillar function in WCO/IMST.
5. Support the WR in efforts to identify and source funding for new projects and work programmes as well as support with associated partner outreach activities.
6. Perform any other incident-specific related duties as required by the functional supervisor.

Duties at the Regional Office level:

1. Under the Emergency Response Framework, contribute to response activities at regional and other country office levels by supporting Incident Management Support Teams (IMST) with needs assessments, clinical management, establishment of clinical pathways, introduction of medical countermeasures, and associated capacity building, monitoring and evaluation.
2. Advise national stakeholders on clinical capacity building efforts and provide technical support for clinical mentorship programs.
3. Contribute to the development of national clinical guidelines, standard operational procedures, and quality of care indicators, including strengthening operational research capacity for emergencies.
4. Participate in inter- and post-action reviews, as well as Joint External Evaluation efforts and development of National Action Plans, with a focus on health system capacities for response
5. Devise, test and organize clinical simulation exercises.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in medicine, public health or a health related field, with specialized in accident and emergency medicine, anaesthesiology, intensive care, trauma care, infectious diseases from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Additional professional training/specialization in health systems, hospital management, emergency management, and/or other related area. Completion of basic and advanced life support courses (e.g., ETC).

Experience

Essential: At least seven years' practical experience, at the national and/or international levels, in control of epidemic disease and developing policies/strategies that promote health and preventative measures, support management of disaster, or humanitarian emergency, response including preparedness and readiness capacity building, in planning, implementing, coordination, monitoring and evaluating health emergency programmes.
Desirable: Experience in developing and implementing clinical management activities (in emergencies or humanitarian settings). Proven experience in developing simulation exercises, training tools, introduction of clinical guidelines or development of standard operational procedures and/or monitoring and evaluation of clinical and case management capacities. Proven experience in fundraising and development of national-level public health strategies. Previous experience with WHO, other UN agencies, Emergency Medical Teams (EMT), ICRC, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or nongovernmental organizations is desirable.

Skills

• Proven knowledge and skills of WHO’s normative guidance in emergency, critical and operative care, in rapid assessment techniques and situation analysis.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to write clearly and concisely, and give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration views of multiple stakeholders and partners in resource-limited contexts.
• Proven ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and proactively resolve issues, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of language skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English and Russian.

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 77,326 (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 3531 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.
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• 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.
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