Mission and objectives
Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance to live a healthy life. Who we are Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health. What we do WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. We direct and coordinate the world’s response to health emergencies. And we promote healthier lives – from pregnancy care through old age. Our Triple Billion targets outline an ambitious plan for the world to achieve good health for all using science-based policies and programmes.
Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) Sudan works to strengthen the country's health systems, improve disease prevention and control, and respond to health emergencies. WHO in Sudan provides technical support and expertise, helping to manage outbreaks of diseases like cholera, malaria, and COVID-19, and to address long-term health challenges, such as maternal and child health, nutrition, and access to essential medicines. Additionally, WHO collaborates with the Sudanese government, NGOs, and international partners to improve healthcare infrastructure and access for all Sudanese people. In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS), at the country level, the incumbent will provide technical advice for all WHO strategic categories and related public health programmes, including: i) Strengthening emergency response/resilience and preparedness activities to reduce mortality, morbidity especially due to the impact of outbreaks and or public health emergencies. ii) Advising national and international actors on public health issues related to emergency response. iii) Strengthening the health system, enhancing health equity, tackling the social determinants of health and envisioning the achievement of universal health coverage. iv) Underpin the response to the major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors among affected population. v) Advocate the utilization of reliable information, evidence, innovation and knowledge for improving population health outcomes, throughout the full cycle of the emergency response. vi) Liaising with other sectors in providing a public health response in emergencies and outbreaks vii) Providing technical public health input for strategic planning, project management and reporting
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Regional Hub Coordinators the UN Volunteer will:
• Assess threats to human life and health, damage to health infrastructure for primary and secondary care, the state of health referral and support systems, including cold chain, laboratory, essential drugs and health information systems, and the vital needs of the affected populations.
• Coordinate with national authorities and health partners to coordinate and implement public health response activities as part of the health cluster’s strategic response; analyse existing coordination mechanisms, designing and recommending improvements.
• Provide analysis of the public health risks, needs and capacities and advise on priority interventions for WHO and partners; challenges and operational course correctors, as applicable.
• Monitor progress towards achievement of set key health indicators and their impact on the incident management system, including identifying inequities, gaps in the delivery of health services or emergency interventions, recommending appropriate actions and innovative approaches to improve the situation.
• Facilitate the implementation of effective, evidence-based public health programmes and interventions in the respective region supported, this might include response to disease outbreaks, essential services including maternal and new born health, NCDs, risk communication and other related areas.
• Secure information from a broad range of health sectors, analysing such and consolidating health data in trends and trends assessment, with particular attention to surveillance, monitoring and early warning.
• Provide input to communications and information products (Sitreps, health cluster bulletins, outbreak bulletins etc.) as required.
• Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor
Application deadline is 09 December 2024
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 - 80
Required experience
3 - 15 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
5 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Systems Management, or a related field.
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Communication • Creativity • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Knowledge Sharing • Managing Performance • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Working in Teams
Skills and experience
at the national and/or international level in public health in emergencies, or managing outbreaks and health emergencies and/ health consequences and crises. • Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset, as is experience in capacity building programme planning/development, project management, monitoring and evaluation. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in public health and health in health in emergencies, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board. Read more about the added value of UNV, UN Volunteers and volunteerism.