OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The IHM of WHE SEARO unit is responsible for establishing risk mitigation strategies and strengthening response capacities for high threat infectious hazards.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of PAM IHM and overall guidance of LRE and the RED, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:

1. Provide overall technical expertise and coordinate risk mitigation activities for infectious hazards including epidemic/pandemic prone diseases with the focus on clinical management, diagnosis, bio-safety, IPC, clinical research related to these diseases including multicenter therapeutic trials, medical countermeasures(Therapeutics) , application of compassionate use of therapeutics , MEURI protocols and associated regulatory aspects.

2. Provide overall technical expertise in the area of clinical management for infectious hazards including epidemic/pandemic prone diseases including disease characterization, severity assessments, development of clinical protocols and setting relevant research agenda, promoting innovation and adoption of new technologies, tools, solutions related to case management and IPC.

3. Provide technical advice to Member States on all issues related to case management, critically review, analyze and use evidence based data for setting up or adapting case management tools, interventions and approaches in SEARO and MS .

4. Support WHE and MS in their efforts to develop systems and procedures for emergency preparedness for clinical management operations for health emergencies, support emergency response teams/EMTs in instituting appropriate case management/IPC measures including triage at healthcare facilities, provide clinical management/ IPC training to the healthcare workers, hospital management and auxiliaries.

5. Collaborate and work closely with sub-units within WHE/SEARO and other departments and WCOs in cross cutting areas.

6. Ensure regular contribution of WHO to existing expert’s networks of clinicians, scientist, related professional societies, regulatory authorities, partner agencies and academic institutions on respective technical areas of expertise pertinent to emergency response (clinical management, clinical diagnosis, regulatory aspects, IPC, clinical research )and support coordination of the appropriate regional and national expert networks related to Clinical management , IPC and research

7. Liaise and coordinate with WHO HQ units responsible for clinical management , IPC, R&D , medical countermeasures including therapeutics, Clinical management focal points at other ROs , participate in Technical working groups, steering committees, guidelines development groups, other relevant technical meetings and clinical partners.

8. Assist RED, LRE and IHM to develop strategic partnerships with the various counterparts and international partners to implement appropriate interventions, including strategic and tactical planning, project planning, facilitation, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation , documentation and development of technical and web reports and manuscripts for peer reviewed scientific articles relevant to expertise areas mentioned in this ToR.

9. Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping duties as assigned.

10. Submit an end of assignment report (mandatory).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree in Medicine from recognized university and a Post graduate degree in Community Medicine (Public Health Medicine) or General Medicine from a recognized university
Desirable: A degree or advanced training in infectious diseases or intensive care or emergency medicine or any other specialty pertaining to clinical management operations in health emergencies

Experience

Essential: At least seven (7) years of experience, including some years of demonstrated international exposures (preferably at health emergency settings) in public health management/clinical operations of infectious/communicable diseases.
Desirable: Experience of working with the UN and in a developing country is an advantage

Skills

Theoretical and practical knowledge of medical management of infectious diseases, infection control and networking with clinicians. Proven understanding of the management of acute and urgent public health responses, including infectious disease outbreaks. Demonstrated effectiveness in building sustained partnerships and working with others in international settings. Capacity towork on cross-sectoral projects. Proven ability to review, analyse, and use data to write technical papers on complex issues . Strong analytical skills. Extensive knowledge and skills in applied public health, particularly in the field of infectious diseases

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

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 2507 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. 

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. 

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

[email protected]

• 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. 

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates. 

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world. 

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully. 

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered. 

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected]. 

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. 

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