Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objectives: The mission of the Division of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain all hazard emergencies, as described under the IHR (2005) and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.
The WHE Division brings together and enhances WHO's operational, technical and normative capacities in health emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. The Programme is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.
Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) Programme Area is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of countries’ preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning of country capacity building priorities. CPI is also the Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005). In addition, in supporting the development of national action plans, CPI aims to establish strategic partnership and alignment with global and regional actors to ensure alignment with Member State priorities.
Summary of Assigned Duties:
To support Member States with development of capacity development plans through the operationalisation of the WHO National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS) strategy, Universal Health and Preparedness Review process and the support to Member States to implement voluntary components of the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
All results should be consolidated in the development of the NAPHS will involve costing, implementation and monitoring of the progressed achieved. NAPHS are an all-hazard, one health plan that sets the capacity building priorities in a member state for achieving full health security, both inter-sectorally and intra-sectorally with other components of the health system building blocks, with an aim of achieving the dual-track capability of providing essential health services during an emergency while responding to it.
Please describe the key duties:
Support voluntary capacity assessments implementation including Voluntary Joint External Evaluations, intra/after action reviews, simulation exercise (discussion-based exercises and operational exercises.) and UHPR
Consolidate findings from all IHRMEF activities into a comprehensive overview of country priority challenges for the development of the NAPHS
Support preparation phase, role out and write up, as necessary, of the Universal Health and Preparedness Reviews (UHPR) in additional pilot Member States
Support the development of the UHPR process together with HQ, other regional offices and UHPR technical advisory group
Advocate with EURO member states for the implementation of the UHPR and ensure strong coordination internally with the Country Health Systems and Policies Division, to ensure health systems are represented in the process of implantation and development of the UHPR.
Support Member States with the development of NAPHS, including the prioritization of key activities, the modalities of planning, the necessary multisectorality and link with the health system at the country level. The candidate will provide regular in person or remote support throughout the development process.
Support Member States with the use of the WHO NAPHS costing tool to estimate of the cost of the NAPHS that can be discussed with Ministries of Finance another national and international financial and technical partners.
Support Members States with the development of an accountability/results framework for ensuring priority activities are implemented.
Engage with international technical and financial partners to promote the NAPHS as a tool through which their support can be channeled to Member States.
In light of the changing global health emergency architecture, advocate for NAPHS development, sustainability and recognition, such as the FIF and other such emerging preparedness financing mechanisms
Any other task required by to develop, sustain, implement NAPHS in Member States or at regional or global level.
Educational Qualifications:
Essential: Advanced level university degree (Master's level or above) in medicine, biology, public health, or a health related field.
Desirable: Specialized training public health policy, financing and budgeting.
Experience:
Essential: At least seven years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, working on topics related to IHR core capacity building. Experience with implementing the IHRMEF tools including intra/after action reviews and simulation exercise. Experience with participation in a voluntary Joint External Evaluation at a national level or international level.
Desirable: Prior involvement in NAPHS planning nationally or internationally. Prior experience working in an international/regional organizational. Experience developing strategic actions related to Emergency preparedness
Skills
The ability to independently organise and implement a IHRMEF workshops in coordination with WHO Country Offices
To take initiative in the advocacy with technical and financial partners for the recognition and use of the NAPHS as entry point for supporting priority health security capacity building
Ability to work across sectors and divisions to advocate for the implementation and development of the UHPR and the NAPHS
Ability to work as team player with excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to engage effectively to external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.
Excellent written and oral communication skills to diverse audience within and outside the health sector, including to high level stakeholders
