Programme Area Manager

The mission of the Division of 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 outbreaks 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 outbreaks, 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.

Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) Programme Area is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of countries’ preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning and country capacity building for critical capacities and the Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005). CPI has an all-hazards approach and involves all three levels of the Organization. CPI prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low capacity countries.

 The inter-sectoral nature of emergency preparedness entails for CPI a large partnership with other international organizations and the consideration of several global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health,  emergencies and disasters, the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework, the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS Pathway), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, regional strategies such as the Asia-Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases (APSED), the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR),  The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the European Programme of Work . CPI coordinates its activities with international and national initiatives such as the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) 2030. CPI is a focal point for the UHPR and GSPN from WHO EURO WHE side

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Lead and manage the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & International Health Regulations Programme Area ensuring coordination and oversight of Programme’s work promoting an environment of professional inquisitiveness, anticipating new challenges, seeking solutions and evaluating their effectiveness, demonstrating to stakeholders and collaborators a commitment to excellence.

Manage the regional work in the development, implementation and oversight of relevant strategies, programmes of work, and annual work plans in country health emergency preparedness & International Health Regulations. With HQ and Regional Offices, ensure the monitoring and evaluation of WHO’s organization-wide work plan.

Promote and strengthen partnerships, particularly in coordination with regional agencies and networks, particularly with the European Union and its institutions, the UN entities, civil society and other relevant partners, in line with the area of work and in close collaboration with the Director. Represent WHO at official meetings and in media context as needed.

Provide coordination, motivation, guidance, management and performance evaluation of staff in Health Emergency Preparedness & International Health Regulations’ technical teams: Core Capacity Assessment, Monitoring & Evaluation (CME); Preparedness, Readiness & Core Capacity Building (PCB); and IHR Secretariat & Global Functions (IHR).

Manage and ensure the work of CME team focusing on assessing, planning, costing, monitoring and evaluating critical countries capacities to prepare for, detect and mount a rapid and effective response to public health emergencies.

Manage and ensure the work of the PCB team focusing on formulating policies, norms, standards and guidelines to support the development of critical core capacities for global health security including providing training and support to high vulnerable countries to develop critical core capacities.

Manage and ensure IHR work related to strengthening required national procedures, skills and coordination mechanisms are established in all countries.

Ensure close-collaborative work with other technical departments and represent the Programme and, as required, the RED of the Programme, inside and outside WHO.

Facilitate Prevention and Preparedness stream of WHE’s work for operational planning, resources mobilization and partners’ coordination purposes.

Assist the RED in fulfilling this mandate and undertaking any other duties as required by the RED, including replacing and backstopping.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in a health field or Medical degree complemented by a post-graduate degree in public health or public health-related discipline.

Desirable: Specialized training in Public Health. Specialized training in emergency/humanitarian response. Training in leadership or management.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of international and national professional experience in planning, developing and implementing health security, emergency, surveillance, disease control and/or public health programmes, including at least 5 years of management experience in recognized leadership positions with direct responsibility for managing both human and financial resources.Relevant experience with the inter-agency 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. Working experience in governmental health institutions at national or/and international level. Relevant experience with the inter-agency 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.

Skills:

• Four competencies are considered to be mandatory for all WHO staff with managerial responsibilities: “Teamwork”, “Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences”, “Communication” and “Creating an empowering and motivating environment”.Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills in international and multi-cultural 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 multi-task and produce results under pressure. Excellent interpersonal with proven ability to communicate in a clear and effective way, with tact, diplomacy and courtesy. Thorough knowledge of International Health Regulations (IHR), the epidemiology of infectious diseases and other global health security threats, and of issues and practices for disease prevention and control.

Language Skills:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2500436