Consultant for WHO WoS Health Sector Coordination

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Position Title: Consultant for WHO WoS Health Sector Coordination
Location: Amman
Country: Jordan
Deadline Date:

Job Details

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 has a mission 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 primary goal is to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health, focusing on health systems strengthening, disease prevention, and response to health emergencies.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in providing technical support to the WHO WoS health sector coordination team. This involves analyzing epidemiological data from the Early Warning and Response System (EWARS/EWARN) and coordinating actions for disease outbreak control and emergency preparedness in response to the ongoing crisis in Syria. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including the health cluster and WHO representatives in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, to ensure effective health sector coordination and response to public health emergencies. The position requires a deep understanding of the health challenges faced in Syria, particularly in the context of ongoing population displacement and health system decline. The consultant will be expected to deliver comprehensive risk assessments, preparedness plans, and surveillance strategies to enhance the health sector's response capabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key deliverables, including:

• Reviewing and updating the 2025 WoS health sector risk assessment and developing a concept note outlining the methodology and expected outcomes.
• Conducting online workshops for health sector coordinators and WHO technical experts to finalize the risk assessment using the WHO STAR assessment tool.
• Preparing a comprehensive WoS health sector risk profile report with results and recommendations.
• Developing a multi-hazards preparedness plan based on the risk assessment findings, including specific plans for high-priority hazards.
• Ensuring effective coordination with surveillance officers to improve the surveillance mechanism and strengthen outbreak preparedness.
• Producing monthly epidemiological bulletins and drafting community-based surveillance strategies.
• Contributing to the preparation of health cluster communication products and providing technical support to health sector teams in response areas.
• Developing a research and knowledge-sharing agenda based on the 2024-2025 Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced (Master's) university degree in medicine, public health, global health policy, epidemiology, or a related field from an accredited institution. Specialized training in epidemiology, emergency preparedness, and infectious disease control is desirable. Candidates should have a strong background in quantitative epidemiology and public health programming, particularly in humanitarian contexts. Excellent communication skills and the ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders are essential, along with strong analytical and technical writing skills.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced (Master's) degree in a relevant field such as medicine, public health, or epidemiology. Specialized education or training in areas related to emergency preparedness, infectious disease control, and surveillance is highly desirable. Candidates must have their qualifications recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 to 10 years of experience in quantitative epidemiology, emergency preparedness, and public health programming, particularly in humanitarian and emergency contexts. Experience working with WHO or other UN agencies, as well as familiarity with the Whole of Syria context, is highly desirable. Field experience in emergency disaster response and disease outbreak management is also preferred.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English is essential for this position. Proficiency in Arabic is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the consultant's work in the region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is based in Amman, Jordan, with a contract duration of 6 months, extendable up to a maximum of 11 months per calendar year. The consultant will be responsible for fulfilling visa requirements if travel is necessary. Remuneration will be based on the international pay band B, and travel costs are excluded from the budget. The consultant will receive a subsistence allowance while on mission. WHO emphasizes diversity in its workforce and encourages applications from women and nationals of underrepresented Member States. A medical certificate of fitness for work will be required, and WHO will conduct background verification of final candidates to ensure adherence to ethical standards.