Team Leader (WHO Health Emergencies)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) to actively provide technical support and advice in the area of health security to reduce the consequences and address public health needs in emergencies and disease outbreaks that includes building country core capacities in the context of International Health Regulations(2005) for prevention; surveillance and control of emerging infectious disease outbreaks, strengthening pandemic influenza preparedness framework including strengthening laboratory and surveillance capacity and risk communications; and supporting the country emergency risk and crisis management ; to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to (if requested by government) and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

All the Member States of WHO in the South-East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The General Programme of Work translates the WHO mandate into a set of specific Strategic Directions for a period of 6 years, which form the basis of interventions and activities across the Organization. The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.9 billion people, with India's population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste) share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India: The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.4 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India (WR-India), and the direct supervision of the Deputy Head of WHO Country Office (D-WR), with a view to help achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India biennial work plans in accordance with WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India, as part of WCO-India team working on WHO Health Emergencies programme, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities to:

1. Provide technical leadership, policy advice and support to the government and national counterparts in the development of policy, framework/strategies and/or plan in the areas of health security and emergency response in particular International Health Regulations (2005), emergency risk management integrated surveillance system, pandemic preparedness and risk and emergency communication.

2. Provide technical support to strengthen country's core capacities to prevent, detect, and control of emerging threats in the context of International Health Regulations (2005).

3. Monitor and provide support in the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005).

4. Provide technical and operational support in improving capacities of health relevant government counterparts/agencies in emergency risk management, in particular the areas of risk reduction and preparedness.

5. Coordinate and support the national and state government in emergency and disaster response upon request.

6. Provide technical support in the development of standard operating procedures, training materials and guidelines in strengthening core capacity in rapid response to public health threats and emergencies including risk and emergency communication.

7. Provide technical support in collaboration with other agencies to strengthen national disease surveillance system in particular to develop and implement the roadmap to strengthen surveillance system as per recommendations of the Joint Monitoring Mission on Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.

8. Participate in the outbreak investigations (if requested) and provide technical support in the planning and implementation of field based epidemiology training and interpret epidemiology information and in monitoring epidemiological services.

9. Provide technical support in development/revision and implementation of the national influenza pandemic preparedness plans. Coordinate for the PIP framework for India for obtaining funds for country specific plans.

10. Provide technical support in the development of national strategies for strengthening laboratory and epidemiological surveillance on seasonal influenza and other acute respiratory infections.

11. Develop effective working relations and coordination with other teams in WCO-India, Regional Offices and Headquarter as well as with other UN agencies, bilateral development agencies and non-governmental agencies to ensure collaboration and effective response to any public health threats at the country level.

12. Assist in resource mobilization in all the areas pertaining to disease surveillance and epidemiology.

13. Undertake any other duties as assigned by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Medical degree from a recognized university and post graduate degree in epidemiology and/or public health.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree (Master or PhD) or combination of training and experience in communicable diseases surveillance, influenza preparedness or related areas; be familiar with WHO policies and practices; be capable in programme planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of relevant experience in key areas of public health emergency risk management, outbreak prevention, preparedness and response, including considerable experience obtained in an international context with progressive responsibility in managing public health emergency preparedness and response and related programmes.
Desirable: At least five (5) years of experience in working with WHO or other UN agencies in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation/control, IHR and emergency risk management and response.

Skills

• The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization.
• Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard the principles and practice of communicable diseases surveillance, prevention and control; IHR; Influenza; AMR; WHO Emergency Risk Management/Response Framework; excellent organizational and analytical skills, complemented by sound interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment; provide demonstrated ability to act independently and exercise sound judgment; proven ability to work closely in harmony with government and international officials at all levels; excellent management skills; demonstrable technical knowledge and expertise of current public health issues, disease epidemiology and control and willingness to travel domestically and Internationally.
• The incumbent should have good knowledge of the administrative functioning of government institutions and related departments/agencies, and of the other partners in India.
• Knowledge of WHO/UN agencies, programmes and practices will be an advantage.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 92,731 (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 2906 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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 shws@who.int.

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