Field Coordination Officer

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objectives of WHO's emergency programme are to design and implement programmes that

prepare the health cluster to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to and recover from

outbreaks and emergencies. This ensures that WHO's critical functions, as outlined in the Emergency

Response Framework (ERF), are fulfilled.

The field coordination officer contributes to ensuring that the key priorities of WHO and of the

health cluster are met at the subnational level, including by filling in gaps, and enhancing access to,

quality preventive and curative health services for internally displaced persons and most vulnerable

population groups. The incumbent will help to ensure reliable health information to enable

evidence-based emergency response and monitoring of the provision of technical guidance on priority public health issues and threats.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office. 

·        Support the management of the Health Cluster coordination mechanism in the relevant sub-national, emergency context, in the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS).

·        Provide critical support in the coordination of technical, normative, and operational inputs, including resources mobilization, in order to fulfill WHO’s critical functions – in collaboration with the WHO Health Cluster Coordinator and the Health Emergencies’ Team Lead.

·        Technically coordinate the health cluster’s systematic identification and monitoring of health risks and needs, as well as the planning and implementation of the most effective prevention, control and response strategy and measures, in support of national and local health authorities’ identified priorities.

·        Contribute to building national capacity through need identification, and development, operationalization and implementation of a training plan.

·        Support WHO’s field support team in continued self-assessment and learning in relation to planning, budgeting, and operational service delivery.

·        Make recommendations on staffing needs for WHO response and ensure their timely mobilization in liaison with the WHO country office.

·        Brief the WHO country office on situation reports, security updates, and events, bringing concerns and recommended courses-of-action to the attention of the Incident Manager.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree (bachelor’s) in a relevant field (such as public health or public-health discipline, management, emergency, humanitarian, disaster management).

Desirable: Specialized training in emergency management; specific training in humanitarian response.

Experience

Essential: 

·        A minimum of five years of work experience relevant for the position (public-health management and operations) with national and/or international organizations, or governments.

·        A minimum of two years’ relevant experience in emergency management/response.

·       Experience in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships, especially in emergency contexts.

Desirable:

·        Experience coordinating and implementing public-health strategies with WHO and/or United Nations agencies or health cluster partners in emergency settings.

·        Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained in an international context.

Skills

·        Public health and rapid response operations including the international emergency incident management system.

·        The theory, principles, methods, and techniques in the international emergency incident management system.

·        Health and safety rules.

·        The country’s public health context, policies, and priorities.

·   Skills in the assessment of emergency or high-risk situations, and in conceptualizing and implementing responsive strategies.

·        Ability to maintain focus in crisis situations. 

·        Ability to maintain excellent interpersonal working relations (collaboration, tact, patience).

·        Ability to facilitate multidisciplinary and multinational staff.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork

2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

3. Communication            

4. Producing results

5. Fostering integration and team work

6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Arabic.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)