Unit Chief, Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment

at  World Health Organization

Grade: P5
Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): Two years, first year probationary period.
Job Posting: Aug 15, 2024, 10:48:14 AM
Closing Date: Sep 5, 2024, 4:59:00 PM
Primary Location: United States-Washington, D.C.
Organization: Health Emergencies
Schedule: Full-time
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.
.

EDUCATION:

Essential: A university degree in a health-related profession and a master’s degree in information management, public health, epidemiology or a related field from a recognized institution
Desirable: Specialized training in epidemiology, emergency /humanitarian response, leadership or management would be an asset
During the competition you may be asked to provide copies of your degrees. PAHO/WHO only considers qualifications obtained from institutions found in the following links: http://www.whed.net/; http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator.

EXPERIENCE:

Essential: Thirteen years of combined national and international experience in information management in the context of international health programs, including at least 5 years of management experience in recognized senior leadership positions. Of these, at least five years should involve coordination of large scale public health projects in developing countries, with knowledge of inter-agency mechanisms in the area of international preparedness for and response to health emergencies
Desirable: Experience in WHO and/or the UN System in the areas of outbreak response and/or humanitarian interventions; field experience in public health programs or emergency response programs in developing countries would be an asset

IT SKILLS:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Office suit SharePoint, One Drive, Teams are considered essential. Knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project would be an asset

Manage the health emergency information and risk assessment unit and networks:

• Coordinate the health emergency information and risk assessment unit, including the supervision of the WHO IHR Contact point for the WHO Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO), promoting an environment of professional inquisitiveness, anticipating new challenges and seeking solutions and evaluating their effectiveness, demonstrating to stakeholders and collaborators a commitment to excellence
• Build and facilitate the effective functioning of PAHO and inter-agency data and information networks for tracking, analysing and reporting on all health hazards associated with outbreaks and disasters, across the risk management cycle, including detection, verification and monitoring of Public Health Events under the IHR
• Lead the teams responsible for risk assessment of all acute public health events including outbreaks, and contribute to global intelligence and risk assessment for respons

Under the general supervision of the Director (D), and the direct supervision of the Director, PAHO Health Emergencies (PHE), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties:

Manage the health emergency information and risk assessment unit and networks:

• Coordinate the health emergency information and risk assessment unit, including the supervision of the WHO IHR Contact point for the WHO Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO), promoting an environment of professional inquisitiveness, anticipating new challenges and seeking solutions and evaluating their effectiveness, demonstrating to stakeholders and collaborators a commitment to excellence
• Build and facilitate the effective functioning of PAHO and inter-agency data and information networks for tracking, analysing and reporting on all health hazards associated with outbreaks and disasters, across the risk management cycle, including detection, verification and monitoring of Public Health Events under the IHR
• Lead the teams responsible for risk assessment of all acute public health events including outbreaks, and contribute to global intelligence and risk assessment for response

Implement and manage the information network:

• Implement protocols for data gathering and analysis
• Provide evidence for the impact of interventions during outbreaks and emergencies
• Investigate the origins of outbreaks and emergencies with a view to their prevention in future
• Contribute to assessments of the resources needed to contain and resolve outbreaks and emergencies

Set norms and standards:

• Adapt regionally and apply international standards and consensus for data collection and data sharing, including surveillance methods, monitoring and evaluation techniques, and mechanisms for the dissemination and communication of information
• Refine and update protocols for data gathering and analysis on the basis of learning and experience. Develop and implement strategies and policies to improve the collection and use of health information

Build capacity:

• Develop and conduct training courses and capacity building exercises for data collection and analysis and the communication of quantitative information
• Provide expert advice on methods for the collection and analysis of data and information throughout the organization and beyond

Communicate data and results to governments, donors, scientists, research institutions and the media, extending the programmatic reach of the Organization and building collaborative networks
Build awareness with recipient and donor communities of the importance of information management as part of outbreak and emergency risk management
Provide guidance on responsible and long-term investments to support information management in emergencies
Represent PAHO on all aspects of data and information for outbreaks and disasters and, as required, represent the PHE Director in fora within and external to the Organization
Identify, promote, establish, maintain and coordinate liaison across the Organization, within WHO, with other United Nations organizations or with other partners, in order to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness
Develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the Team; ensure an Organization-wide approach and strategies and objectives that are aligned with the Organization’s mission, vision, values, policies, strategies, business needs and priorities, in order to ensure continuing operations and maximize results. Ensure that the results are aligned with the Entity’s biennial and multi-year plans, including monitoring of activities, adjustments to any deviations, such as redefined objectives or strategies
Collaborate in obtaining extra-budgetary resources, financial and non-financial for the Unit’s technical cooperation, by assisting national and sub-regional authorities in the preparation of project proposals and plans for appropriate national, bilateral and international agencies
Formulate and recommend policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the Governing Bodies’ mandates related to the work of the Team; develop and establish guidelines, norms, practices and procedures to improve the Team’s effectiveness and efficiency; report to Governing Bodies, through executive presentations and reports, on the status or results of the Team’s activities
Administer, allocate and monitor the Team’s financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the Team’s program and budget proposals; plan and organize the formulation, development, implementation and control of systems to monitor performance in accordance with the results-based management approach; collaborate in the preparation of the entity’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP)
Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring of supervised staff by setting clear work objectives, ensuring timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, engaging in regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment, to include staff development in the Organization’s fundamentals, managerial competencies and technical expertise; participate in the process of selecting and placing professional staff of the Program at regional and country levels
Perform other related duties, as assigned