Technical Officer (Border Health & Points Of Entry)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacities of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The Programme supports countries and coordinates international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The objectives of the Country Readiness Strengthening Department include the development and strengthening of core national capacities necessary to mitigate and respond to emergency risks and vulnerabilities. The Department prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low-capacity countries. The Border Health and Mass Gathering Unit aims to support Member States in building and strengthening capacities for preparedness, readiness, response and recovery to public health events related to Points of Entry, international travel, population movements across borders and in the context of mass gatherings, in line with the provisions of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:

• Support international collaboration, networks, assessments and planning of activities for global functions related to travel, tourism and transportation and public health capacity building at Points of Entry, including during public health emergencies, under the IHR (2005).
• Provide substantial contribution to activities related to the implementation of capacities at Points of Entry and of travel and transport IHR related activities with regard to public health measures, travel health documents, technical requirements for conveyances on travel and health.
• Develop/participate in the development of and disseminate technical guidance and tools, in close collaboration with a broad range of professionals and institutions inside and outside WHO.
• Develop/participate in the development of and implement global learning programs with the aim of implementing and monitoring IHR at Points of Entry.
• Participate in activities related to support information sharing through specialized networks and databases for international collaboration and foster global partnerships in the area of Points of Entry between Member States and WHO, in collaboration with international organizations, public health authorities and experts inside and outside WHO.
• Perform capacities assessment and planning for Points of Entry.
• Promote multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches and activities to facilitate full participation within and outside WHO/WHE/CRS and key partners.
• Perform other related responsibilities, including replacing and/or backstopping.

  
  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  Education

  Essential: A first university degree (Bachelor's) in biological science, public health, or related domain.
  Desirable: Training in one or more of the following fields: health surveillance, public health emergency preparedness, travel and health, hygiene and sanitation at Points of Entry (ports, airports, ground crossings), ship sanitation inspection, food safety and vector control

   

  Experience

  Essential: At least five years of experience of work in international travel and transport/ Points of Entry public health issues.
  Desirable: Experience of working with international partners. Experience of working in developing countries. Working experience outside home country.

   

   

  Skills

  - Demonstrated knowledge of public health, complemented by an understanding of the IHR (2005) and of international travel and transport at Points of Entry issues.
  - Knowledge of other relevant international agreements on travel and transport and Points of Entry.
  - Excellent communication skills in liaising with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
  - Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner.
  - Excellent presentation skills. Tact, discretion and diplomacy.

   

   

  WHO Competencies

  Teamwork
  Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
  Communication
  Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
  Producing results

   

   

  Use of Language Skills

  Essential: Expert knowledge of English. 
  Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other UN language.

   

   

   

  REMUNERATION

  WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at 62,692 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

   

   

   

  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   

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

  Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

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

  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.
  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.

  Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and E-Manual.

  The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The 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.

  The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce . 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. 

  Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

  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. 

  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 short-listed candidates.

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

  WHO also offers 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.

  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.
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  Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

  Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
  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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