National Professional Officer (Health Operations)

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 work is guided by the principles of equity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to ensure that health is recognized as a fundamental human right. The organization focuses on providing global health leadership, shaping health research agendas, setting norms and standards, and providing technical support to countries.

Job Overview:
The National Professional Officer (Health Operations) position is critical in supporting WHO's Health Emergencies program at the sub-national level. The incumbent will be responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring health operations and related technical activities. This role involves contributing to risk communication efforts, strengthening early warning and surveillance systems, and ensuring the delivery of quality health services. The officer will also assist in conducting needs assessments and engage in operational research to inform and improve public health interventions. The position requires close collaboration with national authorities and various health partners to achieve the highest standards of health and well-being for the population, particularly in response to health emergencies and outbreaks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will manage the Health Operations team in Dnipro, ensuring the implementation of the Ukraine Frontline Operational response plan. Key responsibilities include: managing health service delivery through the management of casualties, maintaining continuity of essential health services, and re-establishing referral pathways at all levels of care; ensuring the delivery of integrated primary health care services; contributing to public health intelligence, early warning, disease prevention, and control; establishing standards and norms, and assisting in the development and dissemination of technical guidance and training materials. The officer will support the coordination and implementation of health operations in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners, monitor health activities, and ensure quality preventive and curative health care is provided to affected populations. Additionally, the incumbent will support capacity-building and training of health facility staff, ensure WHO activities are reflected in Health Cluster documents, and perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology, tropical medicine, health systems/services administration, or a related field. Specialized training in emergency management and humanitarian response is desirable. The position requires at least five years of related experience at national and international levels in health operations, with proven experience in managing outbreaks and health emergencies. Experience in managing human and financial resources, as well as relevant work experience in health emergency management, is also essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first-level university degree in a relevant field such as medicine, public health, or epidemiology from an accredited institution. Specialized training in emergency management or humanitarian response is considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in health operations, particularly in managing outbreaks and health emergencies. Candidates should have experience in managing human and financial resources and should have worked in relevant non-governmental organizations, health cluster partners, or humanitarian organizations.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English and Ukrainian is essential for this position. Intermediate knowledge of any other UN languages is desirable, which can enhance communication and collaboration in a diverse working environment.

Additional Notes:
This is a National Professional Officer position, and only applications from nationals of Ukraine will be accepted. The position offers an annual base salary starting at USD 52,930, subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance. The role includes 30 days of annual leave. The vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. Candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test or video assessment may be part of the screening process. WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented Member States. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and all candidates must adhere to the highest ethical standards.