Deputy Incident Manager at World Health Organization

Description Of Duties

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision the Incident Manager and working closely with counterparts at the respective Regional Office and WHO HQ, other partners, the Deputy Incident Manager will:

During The Complete Operational Period

• Coordinate WHO's incident management system, assess and reassess the emergency situation, determine strategies, set objectives appropriate to the level of the required response; prioritizing filling health service delivery gaps, develop an operational planning cycle to reach health sector performance standards and approve the applicable plans --ensuring fulfilment of WHO’s critical functions;
• Ensure the implementation of the IMS, ensuring synergies and smooth functioning between the operational and technical components, oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the operations, take corrective actions as necessary.
• Provide guidance to the respective state’s capacities with respect to emergency preparedness, response and recovery; ensure the participation of the country office in the joint risk assessment process of any suspected or actual emergency event.
• Build external relations, represent WHO and its positions in negotiations in relevant inter-agency and international fora involved with the incident management system at the country level.

Immediate Actions

• Manage the Health Emergency Operations, and provide technical advice to other agencies, with emphasis on the coordination and consolidation of health agencies and health cluster activities.
• Coordinate overall incident health related activities to ensure the concerted approach of WHO in all required functional areas as per incident management structure.
• Support national and local health authorities and partner with UN agencies, international, governmental and nongovernmental organizations/institutions, in respect of the mobilization and coordination of resources, identify needs and funding gaps; encourage donors to fund the overall health sector response to affected populations.
• In cooperation with other levels of response, authorize the release of related information, communications, advocacy products and statements to internal and external partners as well as to the public. Provide information to/briefing of senior and elected officials as required, manage sensitive issues arising from the incident.
• Support the development of early warning systems (including event based and indicator based surveillance) for epidemic and pandemic-prone diseases for early detection and response to public health incidents; conduct field investigation. Provide technical support for vulnerability assessment, risk mapping and development of preparedness/contingency plan at district level.
• Determines WHO response team staffing needs, ensures deployment arrangements and the mobilization of the required human resources. Provide leadership, motivation, guidance, and performance management of staff and experts, build dynamic and efficient teams to bolster WHO’s incident management operations, take concrete measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all WHO responders.

Demobilization/recovery

• Oversee demobilization of the Operations Centre and restocking of supplies, as appropriate.
• Ensure that after-action activities are coordinated and completed including:
• Collection of all event documentation.
• Conduct of staff debriefings to identify accomplishments, response and improvement issues.
• Identify needed revisions to the event management procedures, job action sheets, operational procedures, records, and/or other related items.
• Writing the after-action report and improvement plan.
• Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Required Qualifications

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree in health-related field, management, emergency, humanitarian, disaster management or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable: Specialized training in emergency management; specific training in humanitarian response. Medical degree.

Experience

Essential: 

• At least 7 years of related experience in emergency management and operations, with proven experience in emergency response.
• Substantial experience at both national and international levels in leadership positions, capacity-building and their implementation.
• Experience in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships and/or experience in developing countries.
• Substantial experience in efficient human and financial resource management.

Desirable: 

• Relevant work experience in outbreaks and/health emergency management and related strategy development with WHO and/or UN agencies, health cluster partners; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.

Skills

• Demonstrated 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, to lead and direct multidisciplinary and multinational staff.
• Excellent skills in the assessment, monitoring, analysis and evaluation of emergency situations, with the ability to conceptualize and implement innovative strategies and advocate their implementation.
• Authoritative and comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods and techniques in international emergency incident management system.
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks.