Technical Officer (Planning)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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 Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) Programme Area has two teams including the Preparedness Capacity Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (CME) team and the Readiness and Core Capacity Building (PCB) team. The CPI/CME team is the regional Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005) and responsible for monitoring and evaluation of countries’ preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, under the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (IHR MEF). In addition, CME support Member States with planning country capacity building priorities, through the support, development and implementation of National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS). Finally, CME aims to establish strategic partnership and alignment with global and regional actors to ensure alignment with Member State priorities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To support Member States with implementing the voluntary components of the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, including the Joint External Evaluation (JEE), development of capacity development plans through the operationalization of the WHO National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS) strategy, as well as to roll out the Universal Health and Preparedness Review process in the region and support Pandemic Fund proposals where applicable and as requested by Member States.

All results should be consolidated in the development of the NAPHS will involve costing, implementation, and monitoring of the progress achieved. NAPHS are an all-hazard, one health plan that sets the capacity building priorities in a member state for achieving full health security, both inter-sectorally and intra-sectorally with other components of the health system building functions. The aim is to achieve the dual-track capability of providing essential health services, while at the time having the surge capacity to effectively respond to emergencies.

1. Support the implementation of voluntary capacity assessments including the JEEs, intra/after action reviews, simulation exercise (discussion-based exercises and operational exercises)
2. Oversee the JEE process including managing the JEE external roster and provide regular in-person or remote support for the JEE in-country missions.
3. Collaborate with key partners including the European Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on further piloting and rolling-out the joint approach of the WHO JEE and EU Article 8 assessments (PHEPA).
4. Consolidate findings from all IHRMEF activities into a comprehensive overview of country priority challenges for the development of the NAPHS
5. Support Member States with the development of NAPHS, including the prioritization of key activities, the modalities of planning, the necessary multi sectoral and link with the health system at the country level. The candidate will provide regular in-person or remote support throughout the development process.
6. Support Members States with utilizing the NAPHS tool, either offline or online, to track and monitor the implementation status of activities to ensure accountability and easy follow-up of priority activities.
7. Explore if the e-NAPHS tool can be further utilized and roll-out in the region with selected Member States
8. Engage with both internal (i.e. WHO) and external stakeholders (i.e. international technical and financial partners) to promote the NAPHS as a process and practical tool through which their work and support can be channeled to Member States.
9. In light of the changing global health emergency architecture, advocate for NAPHS development, sustainability and recognition, such as the Pandemic Fund and other emerging financing mechanisms.
10. Oversee and coordinate the regions Pandemic Fund proposals and provide technical support in (multi-) country applications.
11. Support preparation phase, roll-out and write up, as necessary, of the Universal Health and Preparedness Reviews (UHPR) in additional Member States.
12. Support the development of the UHPR process together with HQ, other regional offices and UHPR technical advisory group.
13. Lead the data analysis on IHR MEF activities from the region and support the academic writing and publication of articles in selected journals and academic literature.
14. Any other task in support of the teams work and as requested by the CPI/CME team lead.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree (Master’s level or above) in public health, political sciences, international relations public/business administration, emergency/development management or a health-related field.
Desirable: Specialized training or certification in public health planning, policy, financing, budgeting, crisis management, planning, M&E or related areas.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, working on topics related to IHR core capacity building. Experience with implementing the IHRMEF tools including voluntary Joint External Evaluation at a national level or international level as well as intra/after action reviews and simulation exercise. Experience with the NAPHS development process at country or international level and relevant academic publications.
Desirable: Prior involvement in Pandemic Fund proposals or other relevant financial application process Prior experience working in an international/regional organizational Experience developing strategic actions related to Emergency preparedness

Knowledge

1. Knowledge of the International Health Regulations (2005) and its Monitoring and Evaluation Framework components.
2. An understanding of the critical gaps of faced by Member States being supported through an evaluation of available evidence.
3. Knowledge of the changing health emergency landscape and governance (including relevant EU regulations) and understanding the opportunities and pitfalls to the programme

Skills

1. The ability to independently organize and implement a IHRMEF workshops in coordination with WHO Country Offices.
2. To take initiative in the advocacy with technical and financial partners for the recognition and use of the NAPHS as entry point for supporting priority health security capacity building.
3. Ability to work across sectors and divisions to advocate for the implementation and development of the UHPR and the NAPHS.
4. Ability to work as team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
5. Ability to engage effectively to external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.
6. Excellent academic written and oral communication skills to diverse audience within and outside the health sector, including to high level stakeholders.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of 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 5026 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.

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