The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The Emergency Operations program area (EMO) uses established internal and external frameworks to strengthen the response capabilities, supply chains, partnerships and standards that need to be in place before, during and after a health emergency. This involves establishing regional standards for response, platforms for coordination, and operational support mechanisms, upon which timely and appropriate emergency operations can be deployed, leveraging relevant national and international capacities. It also involves developing and deploying internal and external expertise for acute and protracted emergency management, as well as for the scale down and recovery from emergencies.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS), the incumbent will lead WHO's health information management pillar and team. The incumbent will perform the following duties:
Develop and implement a regional strategy for Emergency Response Health Information Management based on a collaborative and integrative approach to public health intelligence, health situation analysis, and health information management.
Lead WHO/Europe's work to enhance country Emergency Response Information Management Systems (ERIMS), providing technical support to countries wishing to increase data readiness for all hazards. Develop and improve information management procedures at the country and regional levels to ensure that information management in the field provides the best possible functionality and usability to stakeholders.
Oversee and design field epidemiological or health service availability surveys (including HeRAMS) if/where needed, with support to other technical teams as required. Lead support to country teams in conducting health needs assessments or surveys during emergencies (including, household, community, or health facility levels) and lead WHO contributions to multi-sector needs assessment surveys for health as defined in the WHO ERF and the IASC guidelines.
Manage the timely and high-quality collection, analysis, production and dissemination of health assessments, health data/information during complex emergencies. This includes response specific information (what, where, who, how many, how quickly, current status), internal and external situation reports (SitReps), bulletins, rapid needs assessments, and the Public Health Situation Analysis; and health inputs into humanitarian needs overviews (HNO), and strategic response plans (SRP).
Build the capacity of country and regional teams involved in the planning and data/information management process; provide ongoing technical guidance and training on data gathering and analysis, quality assurance, performance monitoring, information dissemination and management. Support health sector/cluster data management teams, as well as support to inter-cluster coordination.
Lead the development and implementation of projects based on the overall strategy and plan, for use by the emergency leadership to mobilize resources.
Promote a culture of continuous learning and innovation, including multidisciplinary and cross-cutting approaches to preparing for and managing emergency operations.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: An advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in Information Management, Public Health, or Epidemiology, complemented by training in information management from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Specialization in information management systems. Specific training in humanitarian response or information management in emergencies.
Experience
Essential: At least 7 years of related experience in information management, monitoring, needs assessment, project management, data management and information dissemination in the public health sector or health development sector, at national and international levels, part of which in emergency management or humanitarian context in leadership positions. Experience in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships.
Desirable: Prior emergency experience with WHO, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations, other UN agencies or with an international nongovernmental organization.
Skills
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in operational support responses to epidemics and other public health emergencies and information management at country level. Advanced ability to design, manage, analyze and coordinate complex health information system projects, computer-based applications and databases, web-based tools. High level analytical skills. Knowledge of humanitarian architectures, functioning of WHO and the UN system is an asset.
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Official UN language.
