Job Description

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO works with governments and partners to ensure that the response to acute public health events is rapid and targeted so that they do not escalate into large-scale outbreaks. When emergencies threaten health, WHO supports the rapid scale-up of essential public health interventions and health services, based on accepted standards, to mitigate surges in morbidity and mortality. WHO continues to strengthen the management of its own emergency operations through the adoption and institutionalization of the Incident Management System (IMS). They will increasingly be linked to other emergency operations centers globally through the WHO-coordinated Public Health Emergency Operations Centers Network.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

WHO's mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage; (ii) health related sustainable development goals; (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities; (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005); (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products; (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health. 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 1.3 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Thailand) 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.

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.3 billion people in India by supporting the government in the four strategic priorities: 1) Accelerate progress on universal health coverage; 2) Promote health and wellness by addressing determinants of health; 3) Better protect the population against health emergencies; 4) Enhance India's global leadership in health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Head of WHO Country Office India and under the direct supervision of the Team Leader (Health Security, and Emergencies), the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

A: Country capacities for health emergency preparedness and risk management for all hazards strengthened:

• Support the work of MoHFW and national institutions in the development, implementation, and oversight of relevant strategies and programs in-country health emergency preparedness and risk management.
• Assist in the development and implementation of "India Ready" and other innovative initiatives for strengthening national, state, and local resilience and preparedness.
• Support in designing and conducting drills,simulation exercises, and after-action reviews to test, identify gaps and improve existing systems and capacities for emergency preparedness and risk management.
• Assist in the development of the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and other preparedness plans for WHO Country Office, national institutions, and partners and build the capacity of key staff on BCP, Emergency Response Framework, and other standards.

B: Health operations effectively managed in support of national and local response:

• Provide support to establish an in-country Incident Management System structure with Public Health Emergency Operation Centers (PHEOC) and other support mechanisms for all graded health emergencies.
• Provide effective management at national and subnational levels for all health emergencies.
• Maintain PHEOC; lead the development of a strategic plan for the health sector in all graded and protracted events.
• Assist in leveraging technical capacities from across the Organization in support of emergency operations.

C: Collective response by operational partners effectively coordinated:

• Address capacity gaps for the National response to health emergencies through the development of strategic multi-stakeholder partnerships and capacity building, e.g., supporting national and state institutions to collaborate on the Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) policy and/or operational expertise on matters pertaining to EMT capacity strengthening and response.
• Provide technical support in developing national policies and technical standards for health emergency operations and monitor health response against standards.
• Undertake joint training and exercises among operational partners (the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, the Global Health Cluster, emergency medical teams, standby partners, and others).
• Assist in conducting coordination meetings with all operational partners, convening internal meetings to monitor and evaluate the implementation of work plans, facilitation of resource mobilization, prioritization, accountability of all operational partners, and effective decision-making.

D: Perform other related duties as required by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree from a recognized university, in public health / health administration / social sciences or related fields.
Desirable: Specialization in health sector emergency risk management and preparedness planning and health systems strengthening. Post graduate studies in public health / health administration / social sciences or related fields.

Experience

Essential: At least two (2) years experience in EPRM service delivery and / or planning / public health at national or international level.
Desirable: Experience in WHO or aninternational organization or institution, preferably in UN System, management and leadership experience are assets.

Skills

• The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization.
• The incumbent should possess:

• Knowledge of WHO policies and guidelines result based management approach.
• Knowledge of Programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies and guideline and of related program area of government.
• Knowledge in EPRM.
• Knowledge of WHO /UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Knowledge of other UN language.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at INR 2,476,526 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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 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:

. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit:

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the

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.

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

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.