Deadline: 01 November, 2021

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

World Health Organisation (WHO) is seeking applications from eligible applicants for the post of Technical Officer.

The primary role of WHO is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system.

Responsibilities

• Support national and local health authorities, partner with UN agencies, international, governmental and non-governmental organisations/institutions to assess and map existing and emerging health risks in the country and prepare a national risk profile based on a risk assessment
• Assess health needs of affected populations in cooperation with technical units
• Assess national capacities for emergency management, including preparedness, and support the development and implementation of a national health emergency response plan/national action plan for health security, including supporting the mobilisation of the needed resources for its implementation
• Review the national health plan/national health emergency response plan, as needed
• Mobilise and coordinate resources, oversee the operational and strategic planning of the health response plans, and identify resource needs and funding gaps
• Coordinate the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of strategies, operational and HR plans for the WCO’s emergency information management, country preparedness, and International Health Regulations (2005), risk assessments and infectious hazard management-related activities
• Coordinate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting, and support resource mobilisation
• In cooperation with other levels of the response, validate the related information, communications, advocacy products and statements before release to internal and external partners as well as to the public
• Collaborate with other agencies and international NGOs, including through the health cluster approach
• Co-develop a detailed task-based work plan and budget for implementation of priority activities identified in the National Health Emergency Response Plan/National Action Plan for Health Security
• Ensure the country has accessible contingency funds for immediate response to emergencies, including outbreaks at national and other appropriate sites
• Identify WHO response team staffing needs, coordinate the mobilisation of the required human resources and capacity building
• Provide guidance, and performance management of staff in the EPR team and experts and take concrete measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all WHO responders
• Represent WHO at meetings between stakeholders, including donors and partners, with respect to the country operations
• Monitor WHO’s health response and operational readiness activities
• Perform all other related duties as assigned

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Public Health or a related discipline from an accredited/recognised institute
• Specialised training in Epidemiology and/or Disaster Management (desirable)
• Specialised training in Emergency/Humanitarian Response (desirable)
• Seven years, minimum, of international and national professional experience in planning, developing, and implementing health security, emergency response, surveillance, disease control, and/or public health programmes
• 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
• Relevant experience in the implementation of International Health Regulations (2005)
• Relevant work experience in WHO or other UN agencies
• Experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organisations
• Demonstrated knowledge of the rapid response operations and their implementation in emergencies as related to public health
• Expert knowledge of English
• Intermediate knowledge of French

To apply and for more information, click here.

Photo source: Commonwealth Secretariat