The World Health Organisation seeks Qualified Applicants for the Position of Public Health Officer, Health emergencies based in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

JOB SUMMARY:

The individual in this role will be a member of the team at the WHO Representative’s Office in the Solomon Islands with the primary responsibility to provide technical support to achieve the World Health Organization’s (WHO) mandate related to Health Emergencies. In his/her capacity will collaborate with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), the Public Health Emergency and Surveillance Unit (PHESU), the National Medical Store, the National Referral Hospital, Provincial health departments and authorities and other relevant government institutions such as the National Disaster Management Office, non-governmental organizations, external support agencies, bilateral and multilateral agencies, and UN organizations with focus to ensuring the effective implementation of key technical activities within the WHE (World Health Emergencies) program including monitoring the function of the PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) oxygen plant installed at the National Referral Hospital (NRH). Additionally, the incumbent will play a crucial role in expanding rapid response capabilities and supporting the functioning of the rapid response mechanism at the provincial level. This collaboration will involve working closely with provincial health authorities, surveillance officers, and other stakeholders engaged in preparedness and response to health emergencies.

Job duties and responsibilities

Under the technical supervision of the Technical Officer for Health Emergencies and the overall guidance of WHO Representative for Solomon Islands, the incumbent will carry out the following duties to:

1 Strengthen capacity and operational readiness of MHMS/PHESU to maintain and coordinate the Solomon Islands National and Provincial Emergency Medical Teams

• In collaboration with PHESU Manager support and follow-up the procurement and deployment of resources for the national provincial EMTs
• In collaboration with PHESU Manager, NRH and provincial health authorities, support organising trainings, simulation exercises and other learning events targeting national and provincial EMTs to maintain a pool of capacitated staff that could be mobilised at a short notice.
• Collaborate with PHESU staff in monitoring the stock (storage conditions, quality, readiness) of the response cache to ensure ready to use conditions at any time needed
• Develop, review and update manuals and Standard Operating Procedures to manage and guide operations of the national and provincial EMTs

2 Strengthening Health Emergency Capabilities

Back up the National Surveillance Coordinator with planning, reporting, site supervision, data management and monitoring, and attend technical meetings and workshops

• In collaboration with PHESU Manager, support the function of the Health Emergency Operations Center in contacting and ensuring the assessment teams are assembled for risk assessments and outbreak investigations.
• In collaboration with NRH monitor operations and implementation of maintenance strategy to guarantee reliability, efficiency, and long-term sustainability according to the three years plan.
• Collaborated with the Data and Monitoring Technical officer to ensure recording of data, including data entry work required during outbreaks and emergencies.
• Support activities supervised by the health emergencies technical officer such as these of the IHR (2005) monitoring and evaluation framework, (simulation exercises, reviews, and evaluations of responses to emergencies (AARs/IARs), the annual self-assessment of the IHR capacities, (SPAR), Joint External Evaluations (JEE)), and collate feedback from AAR, SiMEXs, JEEs and in collaboration with NDOC health committee, support the review and update of the NAPHS.

Other duties:

• Provides support to the WCO Technical Officer for Health Emergencies in the implementation of activities under regular budget and extra budgetary funded programmes.
• Supports WHE programme with coordination of country missions, international consultants, and trainings
• Drafts reports and other project related documents as needed; and
• Perform other duties that may be requested by the PHESU Manager and by the WHO Representative, Solomon Islands

Qualifications

• Degree in public health, disaster management, social sciences, nursing, or related field
• Field Epidemiology graduate or intention to participate in field epidemiology training

Experience

• At least 2-years’ experience at the national or international levels in public health preferably in the areas of Health Emergencies and/or Surveillance, or involvement in the response of a protracted emergency.
• Experience working with Solomon Island Government agencies and at national and provincial level
• Experience working in the emergency sector, preferably with deployment experience

Technical Skills

• Strong communication skills
• Ability to contribute to a public health hazard risk assessment
• Understanding of emergency preparedness and response strategies
• Computer skills in Microsoft office and data analysis

Language Requirements

• Written and spoken fluency in English and Pidgin is essential.

Competencies

• Ability to communicate and engage with a range of stakeholders
• Ability to foster and strengthen team relationships
• Versatility, judgement, and maturity
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines within a demanding environment

How to apply

Submission of Proposals

Submission of applications to the position must include (1) a cover letter highlighting how your qualification and experience matches the above competencies and should be addressed to the WHO Representative for the Solomon Islands (2) updated curriculum vitae with full contact details of at least two referees, and (3) photocopies of required qualification (certified/original copies must be available should the proposal move to the next stage of selection).

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The proposal documents should be hand delivered, emailed, or sent by post with the subject “Public Health Officer – Health Emergency” to:

Office of the WHO Representative
P.O. Box 22, Chinatown, Honiara
Tel: (677) 20016 or 25771; Fax (677) 21344
Email: wpslbwr@who.int or warakae@who.int

Closing date for application: 24 May 2024, Time: 5:00pm (local time)

Any additional information.

Enquiry for additional information please email: wpslbwr@who.int or call 23406.