Regional adviser - Emergency humanitarian assistance

WPRO/09/FT768

Objectives of the Programme

WHO in the Western Pacific Region aims to reduce the impact of emergency situations and disasters through inter-sectoral collaborative efforts. The Regional Office closely collaborates with Member States to develop and enhance regional, national and community mechanisms: to strengthen the emergency management capacity of the health sector.

The Emergency and Humanitarian Action Programme focuses its work on four main issues in the Region:
-inadequate preparation for recurring natural hazards and the increasing numbers of technological hazards, leading to emergencies or disasters in vulnerable and inadequately prepared communities;
-weak institutional capacity for emergency management in the health sector, leading to ineffective or inappropriate emergency support;
-inadequate collaboration among partner agencies, hindering the appropriate use of limited resources and collective efforts in emergency management; and
-shortages of systematic and reliable public health information on emergencies, making it difficult to measure

The Emergency and Humanitarian Action (EHA) programme envisages:
1) the planning and implementation of policies and programmes that enhance regional and national capacity to plan, prepare, respond and mitigate the risks to health during crises/emergencies and support recovery and sustainable development;
2) the promotion and institutional strengthening of national capacity for disaster/risk management, emergency planning, mitigation, preparedness, response, relief and recovery/rehabilitation operations.

Description of duties:

The incumbent will, under the broad guidance and supervision of the Director, Health Sector Development, will perform the following functions:

1. Lead the development, planning, implementation and coordination of the regional programme for promotion and strengthening the emergency preparedness and humanitarian action to enhance the health sector national capacity for emergency relief operations;
2. Advise and collaborate with Member States in situation analysis, strategy development and programme formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation for emergency preparedness, response, relief and recovery;
3. Lead technical and policy advice and support to managerial direction on regional issues and priorities on emergencies and humanitarian action;
4. Plan and develop new approaches, strategies, techniques and guidelines to reduce preventable mortality and disease in crisis-affected populations and foster new opportunities for their development and implementation;
5. Coordinate and build strong relationships with other UN agencies, regional and national partners in the mobilization of technical and financial resources for emergency preparedness, emergency relief operations and recovery activities ;
6. Ensure the development of emergencies managerial systems and coordination mechanisms at country level and evaluate disaster mitigation, planning, preparedness, emergency relief operations and recovery activities;
7. Facilitate and strengthen partnerships, through fostered country collaboration in the development of regional planning, emergency and humanitarian action networks;
8. Coordinate and promote training programmes on emergency mitigation, planning, preparedness and humanitarian action in collaboration with the relevant health sector players;
9. Promote public awareness, information and participation in emergency mitigation, planning and management;
10. Promote and represent WHO work within the UN system and other sector-related partners to ensure efficient and effective response during emergencies;
11. Work in close collaboration with the WHO Headquarters, other Regional Offices as well as Country Offices to facilitate the implementation of the relevant strategic objective in the Region;
12. Coordinate managerial and administrative functions, including budget management as delegated by the Division Director;
13. Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications

Education:
University degree in medicine with advanced degree in public health or disaster planning and management from a recognized university is essential. Specialized training/studies in health emergency management/ disaster management is desirable.

Skills:
Extensive and expert technical knowledge and experience in planning and handling emergency, mitigation, preparedness and humanitarian action programmes at regional, national and subnational levels and in planning and managing health development programmes in a multisectoral context. Ability to appropriately adapt and implement the general principles for these issues to the relevant country context.

Excellent skills in project planning, organization, personnel management, negotiation, data analysis and information dissemination; proven skill in designing and implementing training programmes.

Skills in using standard modern computer software particularly related to office applications as an effective tool for management. Familiarity with the Internet and online-based management systems. Working experience with ERP an advantage. Knowledge of WHO programmes and policies an advantage.

Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Good networking and fundraising skills and experience.

Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Experience:
10 years' of experience with increased responsibilities in health emergency response/relief/recovery operations, health emergency management with some experience working with international organizations is essential. Experience in field research on health emergency management and in the development of training programmes; work experience in one or more developing countries and experience in collaboration with other partner agencies is desirable.

Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English. Working knowledge of French an advantage.

Additional Information:
This vacancy notice is a re-issuance of WPRO/09/FT768. Previous applicants need not re-apply.