Health Emergency Officer

Purpose of the Position

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS) at the country level, the incumbent will support the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the health operations of health emergencies going co in Cabo Delgado as well as in the neighboring provinces (Nampula and Niassa where IDPs are hosted) of Mozambique. This includes the dissemination of risk communication messages, the strengthening of early warning and surveillance systems, the delivery of quality health services.

Organizational Vontext

Reporting to the Incident manager in Cabo Delgado. Work with WHO Cabo Delgado team members, provincial health authorities and health partners in the areas of health operations.

Summary of Assigned Duties

• Under the guidance of the Incident Manager, support the work of health operations in support to the MOH, work with partners and facilitate the implementation of WHO’s most effective prevention, control and response measures.
• Ensure the planning and implementation of communicable diseases programmes addressing the risk of outbreak and/or health emergency, co-develop action plans for interventions in high-risks groups and recommend measures for special attention.
• Monitor the early prevention, detection, verification, assessment and investigation of any risks of outbreaks and the dissemination of data related to the occurrence of outbreaks.
• Manage the rapid response teams responsible for the rapid investigation of alerts, field risk assessments and early response.
• Support the information systems on communicable diseases and the monitoring of progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) facilitating integration with the national health information systems.
• Monitor that health facilities provide quality preventive and curative health care to the affected population and continue to deliver routine essential health services in addition to responding to the cause of the crisis. Make appropriate recommendations where necessary.
• Support capacity-building and training of local staff on best preventive, diagnostic, control and curative knowledge, practices and standards.
• Conduct the periodic reporting and treatment of communicable diseases activities.
• Ensure that the messages are technically sound and socio-culturally appropriate to induce, engage and empower stakeholders in the prevention, mitigation and control of risks.
• Facilitate and provide technical assistance in the assessment of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs, resources and capacities.
• Work additional works assigned by IM.

Education Qualifications

• Essential: First degree in Medicine, Health Officer, Laboratory, Nursing.
• Desirable: Master’s degree in MPH or Field Epidemiology.

Experience

Essential

• At least two years of related experience, at the national and international levels, in health operations, with proven experience in managing outbreaks and health emergencies. Related experience in managing human and financial resources.

Desirable

• Relevant work experience in outbreaks and/or health emergency management.
• Related experience in development and implementation of strategies and action plans within WHO and/or UN agencies.
• Experience working in relevant nongovernmental, health cluster partners or humanitarian organizations.

Competencies

• Teamwork.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
• Communication.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.
• Adapting and moving to a changing environment.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated skills in and knowledge of the rapid response operations and their implementation in emergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations.
• Proven skills to manage multidisciplinary and multinational staff.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and techniques of public health, communicable diseases and health service delivery.
• Languages: English: Good knowledge; Portuguese: excellent knowledge.
• Other Skills (e.g., IT): Good computer skills (Word, Excel, Power Point).