Emergency Management Officer

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. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's Health Emergencies Programme aims to help countries prevent, prepare for, detect, respond to, and recover from health emergencies and outbreaks.

Job Overview:
The Emergency Management Officer will play a crucial role in providing technical guidance to the Ministry of Health in Afghanistan, focusing on the establishment and strengthening of an Emergency Management System and Emergency Operation Centre. This position requires collaboration with national and local health authorities, UN agencies, and various organizations to assess health risks, needs of affected populations, and national capacities for emergency management. The officer will also be responsible for developing and implementing health emergency response plans, mobilizing resources, and ensuring operational readiness for health responses. The role demands a strategic approach to managing health emergencies and requires the ability to adapt to changing situations and needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical guidance to the Ministry of Health on establishing and strengthening an Emergency Management System and Emergency Operation Centre, including defining roles and responsibilities.
• Support health authorities and partner organizations in assessing health risks and needs, and developing a national Health Emergency Response Plan.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of strategies for emergency information management and risk assessments.
• Validate information and advocacy products before release to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with agencies and NGOs through the Health Cluster approach.
• Develop a detailed work plan and budget for priority activities in the National Health Emergency Response Plan.
• Identify staffing needs for WHO response teams and manage human resources effectively.
• Represent WHO to external stakeholders regarding country operations.
• Monitor health response activities and adjust operational plans as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a Master's degree in a health-related field, management, emergency, humanitarian, or disaster management from an accredited institution. Desirable qualifications include specialized training in emergency and outbreak management, and a medical degree. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of rapid response operations and the ability to manage complex situations effectively.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in a health-related field, management, emergency, humanitarian, or disaster management from an accredited institution. Specialized training in emergency and outbreak management is desirable, along with a medical degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of relevant experience in emergency management and operations, with proven international exposure. Experience in managing humanitarian program cycles, capacity-building, and multi-sectoral coordination is essential. Substantial experience in human and financial resource management, as well as coordinating field-based projects, is also required.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential for this position. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a competitive salary starting at USD 84,672, with additional benefits including a variable post adjustment, annual leave, allowances for dependents, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children. The position is subject to WHO Staff Regulations and may involve mobility to different duty stations. WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. Candidates must confirm vaccination status as required by WHO before undertaking assignments.