WHO: Health Emergency Lead

The objective of the WHO Country Office (WCO) for Myanmar is to implement the country cooperation strategy for Myanmar in cooperation the government, the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national health policies, strategies and plans and developing and managing WHO's technical cooperation programmes at the country level. The WCOs collaborates with the Government of Myanmar and relevant stakeholders in support of their efforts of achieving national health goals; of ensuring the attainment of universal health coverage and of contributing to global and regional public health action by providing need-based technical assistance in national level policy formulation, setting norms & standards, improving knowledge dissemination & management, monitoring country health situation and building sustainable institutional capacity, to play a greater leadership role in different national level policy/technical forum.

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;

• Work in coordination with technical focal points at the regional and headquarters levels, under the guidance of the head of the WHO country office.
• Provide expert technical guidance to national authorities in, and coordinate all aspects of the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) programme, at the country level, to enhance the national capability in preparedness and response to emerging infectious diseases, outbreaks, and health emergencies from all hazards.
• Technically guide and ensure the concerted approach of WHO in the areas of emergency risk management, country preparedness and International Health Regulations, risk & situation assessments, and infectious hazards management.
• Collaborate with and guide relevant ministries and other stakeholders to undertake gap analyses in relevant areas of work for emergency preparedness and management and lead the development/revision of national strategies and a national multi-hazard, health emergency preparedness and response plan.
• Utilize high level expertise to prepare a national risk profile, assessing and mapping existing and emerging national health risks as well as populations vulnerable to, or affected by prioritized risks, their coping capacities and health needs.
•  Lead the identification of resource needs and funding gaps for health sector risk reduction, preparedness, and response for vulnerable/affected populations, advocating with and mobilizing required resources from partners and donors.
• Lead the assessment of capacities and national, competency development systems, and recommend, plan, and oversee the implementation of appropriate measures and training for strengthening core capacities under International Health Regulations (2005) including to manage identified risks; effectively monitor and evaluate processes, outcomes and the impact of response and recovery interventions.
• Advise and support the national health authorities and partners in the establishment or strengthening of emergency health care systems to ensure the provision of a range of critical emergency health care services.
• Lead the knowledge capture from policy, strategic and field interventions, and ensure its dissemination to respective target audiences.
• Represent WHO in inter-agency meetings and external forums related to WHO epidemics and emergency preparedness and response.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (masters' level) in a relevant field (such as medicine, epidemiology or public health)
Desirable: Training in applied epidemiology

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of ten years of work experience relevant to the position (in public health, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of epidemic and emergency preparedness and response activities in a developing country and/or at regional level; a significant part of this to have been obtained at an international level
• Experience required in strengthening country capacities and response to emergencies and disasters, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters or complex emergencies.
• Experience in facilitating multi-sectoral partnerships for health policy and strategic and operational interventions in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery especially in a developing country setting.

Desirable:

•  Experience with United Nations funds and programmes.
• A track record in consensus building and enlisting cooperation by diverse national stakeholders