Emergency Manager at World Health Organization (WHO)

Ref Id: 2101086
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Grade: P5
Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 1 Year
Organization: AF/EPR Emergency Preparedness and Response
Schedule: Full-time 

Objectives of the Programme

• The overall goal of WHO's Outbreak and Health Emergencies (OHE) Programme is to minimize the health consequences of emergencies due to any biological, natural, technological or societal hazard. Collective and sound health emergency and disaster risk management is essential to health security.

Purpose of the Position

• At the country or regional level, in the context of the Outbreaks and Health Emergencies Programme, the Incident Manager has overall responsibility in the coordination of planning, management, adaptation and implementation of strategies and work plans for the particular incident and in this context for WHO's incident management system in outbreaks and health emergencies, including deciding on the ordering and the release of resources.
• The incumbent will manage the operational and technical components with WHO/Headquarters, establish clear lines of communications, ensure proper documentation of the incident, including the provision of situation reports and action plans.

Descriptions of Duties

• During the complete operational period: Coordinate WHO's incident management system at the country or regional level, assess and reassess the emergency situation, determine strategies, set objectives appropriate to the level of the required response; prioritizing filling health service delivery gaps, develop an operational planning cycle to reach health sector performance standards and approve the Incident Action Plan (IAP) - ensuring fulfilment of WHO's critical functions. Ensure the implementation of the IMS, ensuring synergies and smooth functioning between the operational and technical components, oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the operations, take corrective actions as necessary.
• Provide guidance to the respective State's capacities with respect to emergency preparedness, response and recovery; ensure the participation of the country office in the joint risk assessment process of any suspected or actual emergency event. Build external relations, represent WHO and its positions in negotiations in relevant inter-agency and international fora involved with the incident management system at the country level. Immediate actions: Manage the Health Emergency Operations, and provide technical advice to other agencies, with emphasis on the coordination and consolidation of Health Agencies and Health Cluster activities.
• Coordinate overall incident health-related activities to ensure the concerted approach of WHO in all required functional areas as per Incident Management structure. Support National and local health authorities and partner with UN Agencies, international, governmental and non-governmental organizations/institutions, in respect of the mobilization and coordination of resources, identify needs and funding gaps; encourage donors to fund the overall health sector response to affected populations.
• In cooperation with other levels of response authorize the release of related information, communications, advocacy products and statements to internal and external partners as well as to the public. Provide information to/briefing of senior and elected officials as required, manage sensitive issues arising from the incident. Determines WHO response team staffing needs, ensures deployment arrangements and the mobilization of the required human resources.
• Provide leadership, motivation, guidance, and performance management of staff and experts, build dynamic and efficient teams to bolster WHO's incident management operations, take concrete measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all WHO responders. Demobilization/RecoveryOversee demobilization of the Operations Centre and restocking of Sensitivity: Internal & Restricted.

Required Qualifications
Education:

• Essential: An advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in a Health related field, Management, Emergency, Humanitarian, Disaster Management from an accredited/recognized institute.
• Desirable: Specialized training in emergency management; specific training in humanitarian response. Medical degree.

Experience:

• Essential: At least 10 years of related experience in emergency management and operations, with proven experience in incident management systems. Substantial experience at both national and international levels in leadership positions, capacity building and their implementation. Experience in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships and/or experience in developing countries. Substantial experience of inefficient human and financial resource management.

Desirable:

• Relevant work experience in outbreaks and/ health emergency management and related strategy development with WHO and/or UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.

Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the rapid response operations and their implementation in emergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations, to lead and direct multidisciplinary and multinational staff.
• Excellent skills in the assessment, monitoring, analysis and evaluation of emergency situations, with the ability to conceptualize and implement innovative strategies and advocate their implementation.
• Authoritative and comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and techniques in international emergency incident management system Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks.

WHO Competencies:

• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Communication
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills:

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English
• Desirable: Knowledge of French would be an asset

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

• Knowledge of office software applications

Remuneration
WHO offers staff in the Professional Category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at 89,837 US Dollars (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.