PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The position is to support the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders with the facilitation of the MEDEVAC-Cycle.  ensuring further institutionalisation of learning and sustainability of the activities. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The division of Health Security (HSD) supports countries to prevent, prepare, respond to, and recover from multi-hazard health emergencies, including through surveillance, IHR core capacities strengthening, epidemic and pandemic preparedness, immunization programme support and AMR accountability. It also supports the development and implementation of national and regional health security strategies and plans, engaging with Member States and partners on One Health coordination, communicable disease prevention and control, community resilience building, and emergency response operations.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT 

1. Background:

The MEDEVAC-Cycle in Ukraine is a Ministry of Health led initiative, supported by WHO. The programme was initiated on request of the Minister of Health, in response to the war and the resulting collapse of specialised medical services in parts of Ukraine.
The overarching goal of WHO’s support is to strengthen the MoH’s accountability framework and operational capacity to manage systems and services in the MEDEVAC-Cycle. This includes:
• Establishing and supporting the MEDEVAC Coordination Unit (MCU) within the MoH.
• Developing structured operational procedures for patient triage, evacuation, and return.
• Enhancing national capacity to reduce reliance on external MEDEVAC through targeted training and system development.

2. Operational Achievements and Statistics

As of June 2025:
• Over 5,400 MEDEVAC requests have been processed, with more than 4,400 successful evacuations 
• The program has facilitated treatment for trauma, oncology, rehabilitation, and prosthetics across EU/EEA and other countries.

3. Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

The programme operates through a complex web of coordination involving:
• WHO EURO and WHO Ukraine Country Office (WCO UKR)
• MoH Ukraine and its embassies/consulates
• EU institutions (DG ECHO, DG SANTE, FPI)
• National health authorities in EU/EEA and other receiving countries
• NGOs and implementing partners (e.g., PCPM, Athena, CDM)

Key coordination mechanisms include:
• The MEDEVAC & Repatriation Task Force (MRTF)
• The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC)
• The Common Emergency Communication and Information System (CECIS)
The Early Warning and Response System (EWRS)

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In order to support the implementation of emergency preparedness and response strategies, the MEDVAC Technical Officer will undertake the following duties:

1. Support 
• Under the supervision of the Team Lead. provide technical guidance to the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Ukraine and implementing partners.
• Under the supervision of the Team Lead assist  the development of the MEDEVAC-Cycle, including the development of SOPs, patient flow protocols, and quality assurance mechanisms
• Cooperate with the regional MEDEE VAC consultant to Coordinate the MedEvac activities and  ensure consistency of objectives and messages

2. Under the guidance of the team leas, the incumbent supports the Ministry of Health with the further institutionalisation of the MEDEVAC Coordination Unit in the national EMS system, as in the National Centre for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (CDM); 

3. Operational Coordination and Capacity Building
• Support  Team Lead to coordinate third-party providers (e.g. Talent4Business, Medical Mission EU/UA) for ensuring smooth operation of MoH MedEvac coordination unit.
• Overseeing the development and delivery of training programmes for EMS staff, including critical care transport et al. according to identified needs
• Plan procurement and logistics for medical supplies and patient transport equipment when required.
• Assist the MEDEVAC Coordination Unit with documenting steps and processes in the MEDEVAC-Cycle, ensuring smooth handover to the Center of Disaster Medicine and ensuring institutional memory.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Quality Assurance
• Conducting assurance activities such as technical and financial spot checks of implementing partners at least twice a year.
• Ensure monthly reporting by implementing partners is in place timely where required.

5. Communication support
• Initiate and support drafting of visibility materials, social media content, and donor communications to highlight MEDEVAC impact ensuring visibility of WHO’s contribution.
• Ensure alignment on messaging and visibility commitments.
• Support the development and sharing of patient stories to demonstrate programme outcomes.

6. Liaison and Representation
• Under the guidance of the team leas, the incumbent Provide and prepare technical briefings for WHO, the Ministry of Health and donors, and support the Health Ops Unit in reporting on MedEvac activities. 
• Under the guidance of the team leas, the incumbent Follow up in regular bilateral discussions with MoH Ukraine, EU institutions, and other stakeholders together with Regional MEDEVAC Consultant. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First University degree (Bachelor’s level) in public administration, management, public health, medicine, or related field 

Desirable: Advanced University degree (Master’s level) in any of the above areas

Experience

Essential: 

• At least two (2) years related experience in health sector in Ukraine, with tracked experience in critical patient care critical care transfers, MedEvac and other relevant areas of emergency health operations. 

Desirable: 

• Prior working experience with WHO, UN agencies, health clusters partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or with an international nongovernmental organization. 

• Experience or knowledge of the MEDEVAC-Cycle in Ukraine

Skills

• Sound organizational, analytical and evaluation skills, complemented by good knowledge or understanding of donor agreements and reporting requirements, UN financial rules. 
• Working knowledge of information management systems. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure; tact, discretion and diplomacy. 
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to convey written information in an effective manner 

WHO Competencies

1) Teamwork
2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3) Communication
4) Moving forward in a changing environment
5) Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukranian.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Other Official WHO.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 38,776 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

2. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

3. A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

4. In the event your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

5. According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

6. Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

7. The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

8. WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. 

9. WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply. 

10. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

11. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice. 

12. WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

13. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

14. WHO also offers a wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully. 

15. The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

16. For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int

17. This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

18. Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

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