WHO Support on Horizon Scanning of Emergency Tools and Platforms

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on April 7, 1948, with a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates globally, aiming to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, protect a billion more from health emergencies, and provide better health and well-being for an additional billion people. WHO's work encompasses a wide range of health-related issues, and it collaborates with various countries and organizations to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
This position involves supporting the Public Health Emergency (PHHE) team in conducting a structured review of existing and emerging digital tools and platforms that are relevant to public health emergency preparedness and response. The role requires the development of a structured horizon scanning approach to map these tools and platforms, which are increasingly utilized during emergencies for various purposes such as early warning, surveillance, risk assessment, coordination, logistics, communication, and post-event review. The assignment will involve desk research, stakeholder consultations, and the analysis of findings to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities in the use of these tools. The ultimate goal is to contribute to a concise analytical report summarizing the findings, good practices, and recommendations for improving public health emergency responses.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Online UN Volunteer will be responsible for several key tasks under the guidance of the PHHE supervisor. These include:

• Supporting the development of a structured horizon scanning approach, which involves defining key categories and criteria for mapping tools and platforms.
• Conducting desk research to identify approximately 25–40 tools/platforms, utilizing scientific literature, grey literature, operational reports, and publicly available documentation.
• Compiling and maintaining a structured inventory or database that captures key characteristics of the identified tools, including their purpose, users, functionalities, and evidence of use.
• Supporting limited remote consultations with 3–5 stakeholders to validate findings and gather practical insights regarding the tools and platforms.
• Analyzing the findings to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities in the use of tools and platforms during emergencies.
• Contributing to the drafting of a concise analytical report that summarizes the findings, good practices, and recommendations, which is expected to be around 15–20 pages in length.
• Preparing summary outputs, including key messages and a presentation consisting of 8–12 slides to effectively communicate the findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for this position should possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to conduct thorough desk research. Familiarity with public health emergency preparedness and response is highly desirable. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate proficiency in data management and presentation skills, as well as the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and concise reports and presentations. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for engaging with stakeholders and presenting findings effectively.

Educational Background:
A background in public health, health sciences, social sciences, or a related field is required for this position. Candidates should ideally have a degree at the bachelor's level or higher, with a focus on areas relevant to public health, emergency management, or data analysis. Advanced degrees or specialized training in public health or emergency response would be advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have prior experience in research, data analysis, or public health-related projects. Experience in conducting literature reviews, stakeholder consultations, and report writing is highly beneficial. Familiarity with digital tools and platforms used in public health emergencies will be considered an asset. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, as all tasks and communications will be conducted in English. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly those relevant to the regions affected by public health emergencies, would be considered a plus and may enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is an online assignment, allowing for remote work. The duration of the contract and specific details regarding compensation and benefits have not been specified in the job posting. Candidates should be prepared for a flexible working arrangement and may need to adapt to varying workloads depending on the project requirements.