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 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.

The main objective of the Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) Programme Area is:

The Infectious Hazard Management Programme Area is responsible for establishing risk mitigation strategies and capacities for priority high-threat infectious hazards. This includes developing and supporting prevention and control strategies, tools and capacities for high-threat infectious hazards, establishing and maintaining expert networks to detect, understand and manage new or emerging high threat infectious hazards as well as providing secretariat support for the management of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.Within IHM, the Experts Networks and Interventions (ENI) Unit provides technical support to countries and WHO country offices in their efforts to deploy adequate risk mitigation strategies and ensure that sufficient capacities are in place to prepare for and manage public health threats through: a) rapid adoption and timely modification of relevant guidelines, novel interventions against emerging pathogens/infections, norms and standards; b) performance management; c) governance processes conducive to specific technical context; d) introduction or strengthening of quality control/quality assurance systems, and e) capacity to coordinate and collaborate across sectors and groups of stakeholders using the One Health approach.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) aims to build the capacity of Member States to 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.

Under the overall guidance of the Programme Area Manager, IHM, and the direct supervision of the Team Lead, the incumbent is assigned the following:

Provide technical support to member states in foodborne and zoonotic disease outbreak investigation and response, using One Health approach;

Support strategic planning and priority setting for interventions to address zoonoses at regional and country level taking into consideration the One Health approach;

Provide technical assistance and liaise with relevant stakeholders in the epidemiology, assessment, investigation, response to foodborne and zoonotic disease incidents and emergencies;

Support generation of evidence to estimate the burden of foodborne and zoonotic diseases, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR) associated with the food chain;

Support collaboration and coordination with relevant WHO EURO Divisions and programme, Quadripartite partners and other stakeholders in joint efforts to address zoonotic diseases in the WHO EURO Region;

Serve as a technical resource responding to enquiries and providing detailed and technical information including oral presentations, briefing notes or other documents;

Facilitate subnational, national, cross-country and cross-regional capacity-building, learning and sharing of experience in zoonotic diseases;

Undertake field assignments, as needed, during emergencies;

Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in health sciences, veterinary sciences, microbiology, One Health or related field from a recognized university
Desirable: Advanced university degree in health sciences, veterinary sciences, microbiology, One Health or related field from a recognized university. Specialized training in One Health or field epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of five years’ relevant work experience at the national or international levels in addressing health threats originating in the human-animal-environment interface, including outbreak investigation and response
Desirable: Experience in working in low-resource settings. Experience in working with stakeholders from various sectors and backgrounds. Relevant work experience in WHO or other UN agencies will be an advantage.

Skills

Good knowledge on the key functions, structures and dynamics of systems to prevent, prepare for and respond to zoonotic diseases. Extensive knowledge and understanding of the One Health approach and how it applies to address zoonotic diseases. Technical competence on assessment, investigation and response to zoonotic disease incidents and emergencies at national and international levels. Good knowledge of zoonotic disease issues in the WHO European Region. Good communication skills both written and oral and ability to write in a clear, concise and effective manner for different audiences. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to multitask and produce results under pressure within short deadlines. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal diplomatically with national counterparts using tact, patience and courtesy. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
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 64,121 (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 4205 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.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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