Consultant for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

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 plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to health emergencies, providing technical assistance, and setting global health standards. The organization is committed to ensuring that all people can attain the highest possible level of health, and it works closely with governments and partners to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response will play a pivotal role in enhancing health emergency preparedness and response capabilities in Somalia under the WHO Health Emergencies Programme. This position involves providing technical support to the WHO country office, ensuring compliance with the International Health Regulations (IHR), and advising on health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security issues. The consultant will be responsible for developing an all-hazard health emergency plan and supporting the implementation of emergency preparedness and response plans. Additionally, the consultant may be deployed to emergency operations as needed, contributing to the overall health security of the country. The role requires a deep understanding of the health threats facing Somalia, including infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters, and the ability to navigate the complexities of health emergency management in a challenging environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with a comprehensive set of duties aimed at strengthening health emergency preparedness and response in Somalia. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert technical guidance to national authorities to enhance health emergency preparedness and response capabilities, ensuring effective planning, risk assessment, and implementation of emergency measures.
• Gathering and consolidating data to develop technical reports and guidelines to support national authorities in emergency preparedness and response planning.
• Developing comprehensive, operational all-hazard emergency response and contingency plans tailored to the national context.
• Conducting detailed hazard analyses and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize actions.
• Supporting and coordinating the development of preparedness and response plans for all identified hazard risks.
• Conducting capacity-building initiatives and workshops for national health authorities and partners on multi-hazard preparedness and response plans.
• Coordinating the operationalization of public health emergency operation centers (PHEOCs) in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Developing a National Cholera plan in collaboration with national authorities and stakeholders.
• Regularly monitoring and evaluating the readiness and functionality of each PHEOC, ensuring integration into the national emergency response framework.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in medicine, public health, epidemiology, health systems, or a related field from an accredited institution. Essential qualifications include proven expertise in managing health operations, particularly in outbreak management and health emergencies, with a minimum of 7 to 10 years of relevant experience at both national and international levels. Candidates should demonstrate excellent presentation and communication skills, strong leadership and coordination abilities, and proficiency in analytical and report-writing skills. Certification in Training of Trainers (TOT) is also required, along with excellent facilitation and materials development skills. Proficiency in English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as public health, medicine, epidemiology, or health systems. The degree must be obtained from an accredited or recognized institution, ensuring that candidates have a solid foundation in health-related disciplines necessary for effective consultancy in health emergency preparedness and response.

Experience:
Candidates should have a substantial level of experience, specifically 7 to 10 years, in health operations, with a focus on managing outbreaks and health emergencies. This experience should encompass both national and international contexts, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex health systems and emergency situations. Proven expertise in managing human and financial resources is also essential, as the consultant will be expected to lead initiatives and coordinate with various stakeholders effectively.

Languages:
The primary language requirement for this position is proficiency in English, which is essential for communication, reporting, and collaboration with national authorities and international partners. While English is mandatory, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or enhance communication with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultant will be based in Mogadishu, with travel required to different Federal Member States within Somalia. The consultancy is expected to start on May 20, 2026, and conclude on November 19, 202

• The selected consultant will need to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work and will be responsible for fulfilling visa requirements. All travel arrangements will be managed by WHO, and the consultant will receive a subsistence allowance while on mission. It is important to note that this vacancy may also be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. WHO is committed to workforce diversity and encourages applications from women and nationals of underrepresented Member States.