WHO Readiness Officer Consultant Band Level B

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 build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and coordinate international health responses during crises.

Job Overview:
The WHO Readiness Officer Consultant will play a crucial role in ensuring that countries in Eastern and Southern Africa are prepared to manage health emergencies effectively. This position involves working closely with the Hub Team Lead and the Programme Area Manager for Emergency Preparedness to implement partnerships initiatives and enhance the readiness of countries covered by the WHE hubs. The incumbent will be responsible for developing tools for preparedness processes, conducting risk assessments, and establishing monitoring systems to evaluate countries' readiness. The role requires extensive collaboration with various stakeholders, including government officials, UN agencies, NGOs, and public health institutions, to ensure optimal readiness levels for managing health emergencies based on the WHO Emergency Response Framework (ERF).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the effective implementation of WHO strategies for country readiness in East and Southern Africa.
• Contribute to the development or adaptation of tools for country readiness assessment and readiness plans.
• Establish a baseline of readiness on the critical functions of the Incident Management System (IMS) in countries at risk of public health emergencies.
• Assist countries in assessing and strengthening their readiness to implement the IMS in response to crises.
• Mobilize relevant partners to ensure a collective and effective readiness process for the IMS functions in the hub countries.
• Seek opportunities to expand and strengthen partnerships on readiness, including developing new partnerships.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including surge support during emergencies or backstopping for WHE colleagues as required.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess a Master's degree in Public Health or a related field from a recognized university. Additionally, training or experience in public health emergency management and partners' coordination is desirable. Candidates should have relevant professional experience in emergency preparedness and response, with sound technical expertise in risk assessment in the health sector. Knowledge of WHO risk assessment tools will be considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Essential: A Master's degree in Public Health or a related field from a recognized university. Desirable: Training or experience in public health emergency management and partners' coordination.

Experience:
Essential: A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience at national and international levels in public health emergency management. Desirable: Work experience with WHO or other UN agencies in emergency management would be an asset.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English and French is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Nairobi, Kenya. The consultant will be required to travel as necessary. The remuneration for this position is at Band Level B, with a monthly salary ranging from USD 7,000 to 8,480, excluding travel costs.