Building on this momentum, WHO is advancing efforts through the NCD-WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) joint workplan to strengthen the integration of NCD services within humanitarian and fragile settings. The aim is to enhance national capacities and health systems in countries affected by emergencies, ensuring that NCD prevention, management, and care are effectively incorporated into national plans including emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plans.
Responsibilities:
Support WHO Country Offices in integrating NCDs in national Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans (EPHS).
Collaborate with country offices to enhance national health workforce capacity by identifying relevant training materials and supporting the planning and delivery of tailored training programmes for health professionals and community health workers responding to NCDs in emergency and humanitarian settings.
Review existing emergency health plans and identify entry points for including NCD services.
Provide support with the inclusion of key care components for core NCDs in the EPHS and their implementation at the primary level to cover the full continuum of care, from prevention to treatment and palliation to be maintained during emergencies, based on countries’ contexts.
Draft recommendations on how PHC systems can be strengthened to ensure continuity of care for NCDs during crises, based on WHO HEARTS and PEN packages.
Support adaptation and development of emergency-specific NCD protocols, tools, and guidelines for use in disrupted settings.
Contribute to the design of essential service packages and referral mechanisms for NCDs during emergencies, ensuring alignment with national health systems.
Provide regional representation on NCDs in level 2 IMSTs as needed and provide technical inputs including forecasting, procurement and deployment of NCD emergency kits and specialized care supplies on behalf of NCD department.
Facilitate coordination and provide technical support to implementing partners.
Provide technical input to the design and implementation of operational reviews, including tools, frameworks and reports.
Participate in country-level missions to evaluate strengths, challenges, and gaps in the current NCD response during emergencies.
Support drafting and implementation of country-specific roadmaps for strengthening the integration of NCD services in emergency contexts; in line with the regional frameworks for addressing NCDs in emergencies.
Facilitate systematic documentation and support publication of review findings to inform policy and strategy development.
Educational:
Minimum first university degree for lower end of range, an advanced university degree for mid and high end of range in medicine, public health or epidemiology.
Master’s level or above in public health.
Work Experience:
Minimum of five years of relevant international experience in the prevention and management of NCDs with a particular focus on the integration of NCD services within primary health care systems.
Proven experience in the design, coordination, and implementation of NCD-related projects in LMIC, particularly in fragile, conflict-affected, or emergency settings.
Experience providing technical support to governments and partners on maintaining and scaling up NCD service delivery during acute emergencies, protracted crises, or humanitarian response operations.
Skills:
Proven ability to independently coordinate, plan, and implement projects and activities, while also demonstrating strong collaboration and teamwork skills in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
Excellent analytical and organizational capabilities, with a track record of managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines.
Skilled in building, managing, and expanding partnerships at both regional and country levels, including with governments, UN agencies, and other stakeholders, to ensure effective program coordination and implementation.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders, facilitate consensus, and contribute to strategic discussions and technical dialogues.
Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of health system strengthening and primary health care delivery.
Strong understanding of the regional context, including the policy environment and operational challenges associated with delivering services in crisis-affected or humanitarian settings.
Demonstrated ability to operationalize WHO technical packages, such as PEN and HEARTS, within national emergency preparedness and response frameworks, including contingency planning and service continuity approaches.
