Technical Officer

The mission of the Division of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain all hazard emergencies, as described under the IHR (2005) and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

The WHE Division brings together and enhances WHO’s operational, technical and normative capacities in health emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. The Programme 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 European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies (PHHE) aims at strengthening WHO/EURO Member States’ capacities in preparedness for humanitarian and health emergencies through innovative, collaborative and sustainable approaches to capacity building, including through the development and implementation of training opportunities in  emergency and disaster risk reduction, the provision of  tailored country support in sustainable capacity building, and the facilitation of access to capacity building resources in the Region.  

Within the framework of the delegated authority, and under the guidance of PHHE Head of Office, the incumbent is assigned the following duties: 

Participate in the WHO Secretariat of the Pan-European Network for Disease Control (NDC)

Support to the functioning of the NDC:

• Contribute to the expansion of the NDC through the inclusion of additional members, facilitating their induction.
• Coordinate closely with the Steering Group (SG) to establish the NDC and ensure its full functionality including administrative support as needed.
• Ensure the development and the implementation of the NDC workplans
• Provide essential support to the SG in overseeing the implementation of the NDC activities.
• Draft necessary reports and meeting minutes for the SG.
• Prepare SG and annual meetings of the Network, including documentation distribution to the members and working groups, meeting scheduling and facilitation of agenda items as needed

Knowledge sharing and communication:

• Facilitate and improve the quality and availability of information on the NDC for distribution to members and stakeholders.
• Respond to information requests, forwarding them to authorized spokespeople as appropriate according to the subject matter of the inquiry.
• Facilitate the exchange of information among SG members, the NDC members and the NDC working groups.
• At the request of the SG, work closely with the WHO Communication Officers to develop and implement strategic communication and outreach plans and related documents.
• Prepare and distribute meeting minutes and an annual report of the NDC activities.
• Strengthening of partnerships and collaboration to advance the NDC agenda, visibility and fundraising as appropriate:
• As appropriate, and on behalf of the SG, or by direction of the Chair or Vice Chair, represent the NDC at meetings.

Finance and Human Resources:

• Contribute to the development and management of the budget for the NDC activities.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts, grant applications, and resource mobilization.

Natural Disaster Preparedness:

• Support the development of technical activities related to natural disasters preparedness at PHHE.

General:

• Support the Head of office in the development of the PHHE activity reports.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Head of the Office.

Education

Essential:

• First University degree (Bachelor’s level or above) in health related, including Public Health, Medicine, Emergency Management, Disaster Management or Biomedical Sciences.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience, at national and international levels, in public health, project management in a health-related field, notably developing and implementing work plans, preparing technical and progress reports..

Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge in preparedness for humanitarian and health emergencies and emerging diseases in international context as well as strong skills related to managing international coalitions and networks.
• Proven ability to create a positive, inclusive and supportive coalition and network environment, managing various stakeholders and creating a collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge in Collaborative surveillance and/or infectious disease epidemiology, prevention or control.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening collaborative surveillance.
• Good understanding of the WHO Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience architecture (HEPR)
• Demonstrated experience in development of knowledge management platforms and in data visualisation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, advocate, motivate and resolve conflict.
• Proven ability to interact in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environment involving technical, cultural and political elements.
• Sound analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Proven ability to work and produce results under pressure in critical situations.
• Tact, diplomacy, and courtesy.
• Sound knowledge in project management.
• Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

Language Skills:

Essential:

• Excellent knowledge (mother tongue/advanced) of English.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2500393