WHO Zambia Currently Recruiting -2017


Through the placement of experts in the country office, the DFID/WHO emergency project aims to promote the role of WHO as a leader in health emergency in a bid to strengthen emergency preparedness, Integrated Disease Surveillance and outbreak response in Zambia. Under the supervision of the WR, provide leadership, technical orientation and support for the DFID/WHO emergency project to the health sector and other related sectors based on the resolutions and recommendations of the Governing Bodies as well as the Transformation Agenda of the Regional Office regarding prevention, prediction, early detection, early warning, rapid and effective response, and recovery activities to public health effects of emergencies and disasters including disease outbreaks, using an all-hazard approach.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity

  • To strengthen national core capacities of IDSR and IHR (2005) to reduce morbidity and mortality due to communicable diseases in Zambia
  • Provide leadership, technical orientation and support to the health sector and other related sectors based on the resolutions and recommendations of the Governing Bodies as well as the Transformation Agenda of the
  • Regional Office regarding prevention, prediction, early detection, early warning, rapid and effective response, and recovery activities to public health effects of emergencies and disasters including disease outbreaks, using an all-hazard approach.

Organizational Context

The National Professional Officer Health Security and Emergencies will work under the supervision of WHO Country Representative and direct guidance of the National Professional Officer Diseases Prevention and Control (DPC), at the WCO. The work environment is primarily focused on prevention, prediction, early detection, early warning, rapid and effective response, and recovery activities to public health effects of emergencies and disasters including disease outbreaks, using an all-hazard approach. The NPO will be the focal point for Health Security and Emergencies activities and will work closely with government counterparts and cooperating partners in the Health Sector.

Description of duties:

1. Health Security planning and coordination Support the MOH, in collaboration with national and international stakeholders to:
i. Identify and maintain a comprehensive list of health sector stakeholders including national health authorities, relevant national and international organizations and civil society in the context of health security emergency preparedness and response and support the coordination of the activities of these stakeholders under a single national planning process.
ii. Identify priority gaps that cannot be covered by any health partners locally and which require external support.
iii. Support the alignment of major stakeholders/initiatives with different priorities behind a single national health security plan (including IHR).
iv. Collate information on progress towards achievements against the national preparedness plan.
v. Assess capacities for emergency management, including preparedness, and support the review /revision and implementation of a national response plan for public health emergencies, which includes specific contingencies for high priority risks.

2. Preparedness and Emergency management and response systems

i. In close collaboration with the DPC officer, he (she) will

  • Assess and support capacity building for prediction, timely detection, early warning, and effective preparedness, investigation and response to outbreaks and health emergencies in line with IDSR, IHR and ERF
  • Provide weekly updates of the health emergency situation in Zambia to AFRO and partners

ii. Provide support to the country to develop plans for integrated approaches for readiness and response to major epidemic prone diseases and public health emergencies
iii. Assess and map existing and emerging health risks in the country and prepare a national risk profile based on a risk assessment/profiling exercise
iv. Advise the Ministry of Health (MoH) on the establishment/strengthening of an Incident Management System / Emergency Operation Center (IMS/EOC) for health emergency responses including staffing, defined roles/responsibilities and resources for key functional areas (including technical operations, logistics, data management, planning and administration).
v. Support the regular testing of the health emergency response system through functional exercises at the national and local levels, including linkages with the national and sub national disaster management authority.
vi. Strengthen procedures for requesting and receiving bilateral, regional and international assistance for emergency response. Support ongoing development and strengthening of existing relationships with Government and other partners with regards to emergency risk management.
vii. Support the implementation of ERF and after-event reviews for emergencies.

3. Planning and Financing

Working closely with the relevant national authorities:

i. Develop a detailed task-based work plan and budget for implementation of priority activities identified in the National Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.
ii. Develop a detailed country budget for preparedness and response, including mechanisms in place that allow financial resources to be readily available for rapid response at all levels, as well as accessible contingency funds for immediate response to health emergencies, including outbreaks at national and sub-national levels.
iii. Ensure procedures, plans or strategies are in place, implemented and reviewed to reallocate or mobilize resources from national and sub-national levels to support action at community /primary response level

  • In coordination with the EOC, MoH and other stakeholders, prioritize, prepare, consolidate and submit projects and proposals for health emergency management, including preparedness and response

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: Advanced University degree in Public health, medicine, epidemiology or other health related discipline

Desirable: Specialized training in disaster management or related areaSkills:

Competencies: Generic

1. Producing results;
2. Ensuring the effective use of resources
3. Communicating in a credible and effective way;
4. Building and promoting partnership across the organization and beyond.

Competencies: Functional

The incumbent NPO Health Security and Emergencies should have: excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to coordinate activities and multitask; strong programme management skills and operational competencies; excellent interpersonal skills with ability to negotiate with and convince officials with tact and diplomacy; ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual information; capacity to interpret, analyze and develop publishable scientific manuscripts for effective global communication; sustained track record of scientific publications in peer reviewed journals; and proficiency in the use of computer applications and systems.

Excellent knowledge of software programmes for word processing, data analysis and spreadsheetsExperience:
Essential: At least 7 years of relevant experience in outbreak or emergency response or management; or strengthening country capacities for responding to health emergencies. Working experience on outbreaks or health emergencies in Africa. At least 5 years’ field experience of WHO, the UN System or NGO in the field of emergency preparedness and outbreak response operations.

Desirable: – Proven experience in conducting and managing exercises and simulations. Proven experience in multi-sectoral coordination. Relevant experience in WHO, UN or other international organizations.Languages:
Excellent knowledge of both written and spoken English. Knowledge of any other UN languages; especially French is an added advantage.

Application Deadline: 24 January 2017

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