County BVD Readiness and Response Coordinator

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 address global health challenges, including disease outbreaks, health emergencies, and health system strengthening. The organization collaborates with various partners, including governments, NGOs, and other UN agencies, to implement health programs and initiatives that improve health outcomes worldwide.

Job Overview:
The County BVD Readiness and Response Coordinator will play a crucial role in providing operational leadership and coordination for Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) readiness and response activities in a high-risk county in South Sudan. The incumbent will work closely with the County Health Department to establish and maintain effective coordination mechanisms, translating national health plans into actionable county-level strategies. This position is vital in closing readiness gaps and ensuring rapid activation of essential health services, including surveillance, investigation, isolation, referral, laboratory services, infection prevention and control (IPC), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), logistics, and response arrangements following any suspected or confirmed cases of BVD. The coordinator will also integrate BVD readiness with ongoing responses to other public health emergencies such as cholera, measles, malaria, and mpox, ensuring a comprehensive approach to health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: providing day-to-day leadership and coordination of WHO-supported BVD readiness and response activities; supporting the County Health Department in establishing a functional incident management and coordination mechanism; preparing and monitoring a costed county BVD readiness and response action plan; convening regular county coordination meetings and documenting decisions; maintaining an up-to-date mapping of partners and health facilities; coordinating rapid county readiness assessments; ensuring dissemination of approved BVD case definitions and protocols; working with the Field Epidemiologist to strengthen surveillance and community alerts; coordinating the deployment of multidisciplinary rapid response teams; improving IPC/WASH practices in priority facilities; establishing community engagement mechanisms; coordinating with laboratory and logistics teams; validating isolation and referral facilities; planning and coordinating training and simulation exercises; maintaining a county readiness dashboard; providing timely reports to relevant stakeholders; ensuring documentation of meetings and operational lessons; supporting integration of protection and accountability measures; monitoring staff safety and operational constraints; and supporting immediate activation of the county response structure in case of a suspected or confirmed case.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a first university degree in medicine, nursing, clinical medicine, public health, epidemiology, environmental health, health services management, humanitarian health, or another health-related field from a recognized institution. An advanced university degree or specialized training in public health, epidemiology, outbreak response, incident management, or health emergency management is desirable. Candidates should possess strong functional skills and knowledge in outbreak preparedness and response, incident management, and public health coordination, with the ability to translate national strategies into practical field actions. Strong planning, organizing, facilitation, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities under pressure.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a first university degree in a relevant health-related field from a recognized institution. An advanced degree or specialized training in public health or related areas is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of complex health systems and emergency management.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least two years of relevant professional experience in public health, disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, or health program management. Experience working with national, state, or county health authorities and operational partners is essential, as is experience in preparing and monitoring operational plans and field reports. Desirable experience includes working with WHO, UN agencies, or humanitarian organizations, particularly in viral hemorrhagic fever preparedness or response, and familiarity with the local health system and community structures in South Sudan.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic and relevant local languages used in the assigned duty station is considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a National Professional Officer role, meaning only applications from nationals of South Sudan will be accepted. 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 may be part of the screening process. Applicants must provide scanned copies of their educational qualifications in advance of an interview. The WHO adheres to a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or tobacco users. The organization offers a range of benefits, including parental leave and flexible work arrangements to promote a healthy work-life balance.