L’OMS recrute un Consultant au Centre des opérations d’urgence en santé publique, Brazzaville, République du Congo

 

Purpose of consultancy

WHO Member States in the African region continue to face recurring epidemic and pandemic diseases, as well as other public health emergencies. To contribute to the strengthening of national capacities for coordinating the preparedness and response to public health emergencies, it is crucial to have a functional Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) that improves early warning systems, supports effective response coordination, and enhances real-time communication at all levels of the national health system. The PHEOC plays an essential role in fulfilling the obligations of the International Health Regulations (IHR) as well as the core functions of integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR)

Background

In order to operationalize the center, it is necessary to have a legal framework for the PHEOC that defines the center’s mandate, a PHEOC manual that provides step-by-step guidance for center operations with all necessary standard operating procedures (SOPs), as well as information for action. It is also crucial to provide basic and intermediate training to PHEOC staff and support personnel (IMS) and conduct simulation exercises to test the systems.

In the aftermath of Ebola outbreak in West Africa, WHO Member States in the African region committed to implementing functional PHEOCs to strengthen their emergency management capacities for a rapid and effective response. WHO AFRO, in partnership with key stakeholders, has supported this implementation. Significant progress has been made in PHEOC implementation since 2016.

However, some countries in the region still face gaps in implementing this center, particularly in developing various PHEOC documents, including plans and procedures, legal authority development, PHEOC handbook, and concept of operations. Additionally, some countries lack trained personnel in PHEOC management and operations.

Deliverables

WHO is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Technical Consultant specialized in the establishment and strengthening of Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs). The main objective is to assist in implementing the PHEOC to ensure effective preparedness and response to epidemics, disasters, and different public health emergencies.

The technical consultant will provide expert input into the development plans of the PHEOC. In collaboration with health ministry experts, the WHO country office, and partners, the consultant will align their work with the WHO framework for PHEOC guidance on plans and procedures, legal framework, space, redundancy, software, ICT systems, data, information systems, and standards.

The technical consultant will be accountable to the WHO Representative (WR) in the country. They will collaborate closely with the emergency focal point and the regional PHEOC focal point, consistently delivering reports and updates to the WR through the emergency focal point. This will ensure efficient communication and coordination.

Specific tasks:

  •          Evaluate the PHEOC and develop an action plan in line with the WHO framework for PHEOCs.
  •          Review existing legislation.
  •          Develop and present recommendations for the PHEOC legal framework, following the PHEOC Legal Framework Guide.
  •          Develop a manual/standard operating procedure (SOPs) for the PHEOC to establish a system that fully supports intervention operations.
  •          Ensure the flow of relevant data and information to the PHEOC to facilitate informed decision-making.
  •          Provide basic and intermediate training to PHEOC staff and response personnel (IMST).
  •          Organize simulation exercises to test systems and capabilities.
  •          Raise awareness among leaders about the importance of having a functional PHEOC.
  •          Perform any other tasks as required by the functional supervisor.

Expected Deliverables:

  •          Development of an implementation/action plan for strengthening and operationalizing the PHEOC.
  •          Development and presentation of recommendations for the PHEOC legal framework.
  •          PHEOC manual/SOPs available, as well as functional plans.
  •          Established PHEOC training program.
  •          Action-relevant information available in the PHEOC.
  •          Reports on training and simulation exercises.
  •          Expected Outcome:
  •          By achieving the objectives, the PHEOC should be fully operational within the given timeframe

Educational Qualifications

Essential

  •   Advanced university degree in emergency management, public health, or a related discipline, from an accredited/recognized institute. Specialized training in public health emergency management/PHEOC.

Desirable

  •   Specialized training in emergency/response/humanitarian work; Specialized training in information management.

Experience

Essential

  •   A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in managing health emergencies at the national and/or international level, including proven experience in public health emergency operations, epidemic management, disaster management, or humanitarian crises, planning.
  •   Strong experience in effectively managing and operating the PHEOC in all modes of operation for an efficient and rapid response to public health emergencies.
  •   Demonstrated leadership and coordination skills in emergency management.
  •   Experience in developing PHEOC policies, plans, and procedures, including standard operating procedures (SOPs) and concept of operations.
  •   Experience in conducting training and simulation exercises.
  •   Experience in harmonizing and establishing integrated information for action within the PHEOC.

Desirable

  •   Prior working experience with WHO, UN agencies, recognized humanitarian organizations, or an international non-governmental organization. Experience or knowledge of import/export and customs administration.

Skills/Knowledge

  •   Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
  •   Excellent analytical skills with the ability to manage people, activities, and multitask.
  •   Working under pressure.
  •   Excellent organizational skills with strong problem-solving skills.
  •   Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate with and convince officials with tact and diplomacy.
  •   Ability to write clear and concise manner and to present information to achieve desired results.
  •   Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.

Languages required

  •   Expert knowledge of French and or English

Desirable

  •   Knowledge of another UN official language would be an asset.

Location

On-site – Multilocation

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B – USD – USD 8500 – 9980 per month

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited)

A living expense is payable to on-site consultants

Expected duration of contract

3 months initially

Additional Information

  • This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
  • Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
  • A written test may be used as a form of screening.
  • If your candidature is retained for 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: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
  • For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
  • WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
  • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
  • Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
  • WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter 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.
  • Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
  • WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

 

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