SSA – Climate Informed Early Warning and Response System (CI-EWARS)

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, WHO works to combat diseases, improve health systems, and respond to health emergencies. The organization is committed to achieving universal health coverage and ensuring that all people can access essential health services without financial hardship. WHO also focuses on health equity and the social determinants of health, striving to address the needs of the most disadvantaged populations.

Job Overview:
The position of SSA – Climate Informed Early Warning and Response System (CI-EWARS) is crucial for enhancing the resilience of health systems in Vanuatu against climate change. The selected candidate will support the design and development of CI-EWARS, which aims to integrate climate-related risks into health interventions. This role involves close collaboration with the WHO, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders to implement targeted interventions that manage health risks associated with climate change. The SSA will lead activities related to the development of a climate-informed health early warning system, ensuring that health surveillance is effectively linked with climate information. The position requires a proactive approach to facilitate partnerships, provide technical support, and enhance the capabilities of public health laboratories in Vanuatu.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the SSA include:

• Supporting the review and stocktake of existing health surveillance and meteorological data systems in Vanuatu.
• Mapping existing Health Information Systems (HIS) and evaluating reporting and response channels for climate-sensitive diseases.
• Establishing a national list of climate-sensitive diseases in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Vanuatu Meteorological and Hydro-Meteorological Services (VMHS).
• Providing contextual insights on priority climate-sensitive diseases in Vanuatu.
• Customizing and adapting the CI EWARS architecture and infrastructure to meet Vanuatu's specific needs.
• Facilitating the procurement and installation of ICT equipment necessary for hosting climate and disease data.
• Organizing workshops, training sessions, and stakeholder consultations to build capacity.
• Developing training materials and adapting them into Bislama as needed.
• Supporting the organization of training for integrated communicable disease management of climate-sensitive diseases in two provinces. 1
• Providing continuous technical support for the operationalization of CI-EWARS and liaising between the Ministry of Health, WHO, and the international consultant. 1
• Preparing EWARS bulletins and user-friendly health early warning products. 1
• Contributing to the final completion report with recommendations for sustainability and scale-up of the project.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include:

• A Bachelor’s degree in public health, environmental science, meteorology, or a related field is essential.
• A postgraduate qualification (master’s degree) in public health, environmental science, meteorology, or a related field is desirable.
• At least 2 years of experience in public health information systems or climate information systems is essential.
• Experience working with government ministries, health facilities, or meteorological agencies is required.
• Demonstrated experience in disease surveillance and/or epidemiology is considered an asset.
• Experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of health early warning systems and health information systems is desirable.
• Familiarity with WHO/UN operations and collaboration with government ministries and health facilities is advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes:

• Essential: A Bachelor’s degree in public health, environmental science, meteorology, or a related field.
• Desirable: A postgraduate qualification (master’s degree) in public health, environmental science, meteorology, or a related field, which would provide a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in health systems and climate change.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position includes:

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in public health information systems or climate information systems.
• Experience working with government ministries, health facilities, or meteorological agencies is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in disease surveillance and/or epidemiology is an asset, as it indicates familiarity with health data and its implications for public health.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are:

• Fluency in English is essential, as it is the primary language of communication within WHO and for reporting purposes.
• Fluency in Bislama is also essential, as it is one of the official languages of Vanuatu and will facilitate communication with local stakeholders. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
Additional notes regarding the position include:

• The salary for this role will start from VT 1,620,111 to VT 1,917,000 per year, which is equivalent to the Vanuatu Government Band E, T2.1 - T2.4, and is subject to qualifications and experience.
• The duration of the contract is initially set for 12 months, with the potential for extension based on project needs and performance.
• This role is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by Vanuatu nationals recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• Candidates facing technical issues accessing the application portal can submit a cover letter and detailed CV via email to the specified address.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test/interview may be used as a form of screening.
• Candidates will be required to provide scanned copies of their educational qualifications prior to the interview.
• WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• The successful candidate will need to confirm vaccination status as required by WHO before undertaking the assignment.