Location: WHO-Africa Sub-Regional Office Nairobi/Harare
1. Background and Justification
Purpose of the Position
Africa is one of the continents at the highest risk of climate and weather related emergencies and disasters. The current El Nino phenomenon, one of the strongest in the past 20 years, has affected many countries in Africa since the end of 2015 through 2016. Its effects include drought and flood triggered food insecurity, increased malnutrition and incidence of water- and vector- borne diseases. Eastern and Southern African countries are particularly affected with about 22 million people affected in Ethiopia, and 14 million food insecure people in some southern Africa countries including South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Swaziland, Angola, Madagascar, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The increasing magnitude of demands on WHO for technical support of climate-related emergencies has significantly stretched available regional capacity in 2015-2016. Critically, this position will increase the sub-regional capacity of WHO and its Members, for the implementation of climate-informed risk assessment and preparedness measures. This position is essential to support WHOs successful implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services, the Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the WHO-AFRO strategy on emergency and disaster risk management for heath, the International Health Regulations and the Climate for Development in Africa Programme (ClimDev-Africa Programme).

2. Job Description
Organizational Context
Under the direct supervision of Regional Advisor for Preparedness and Risk assessment, the Officer will work in close collaboration with technical teams from the Health Security and Emergency cluster, Nutrition (NUT) and other WHO programs. Notably, the Officer will also work in coordination with AFRO- Health and Environment Unit on activities related to the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services and the Clim-Health Africa initiative.
Summary of Assigned Duties
1) Collect risk related information from a broad range of stakeholders, including the health authorities and National Hydrological and Meteorological Services (NHMS); consolidate and analyze health data for early warning, planning, monitoring and evaluation purposes; communicate and inform appropriate WHO-AFR focal points to recognize and take informed anticipatory action for disease prevention in relation to identified hazards; and guide the elaboration and implementation of strategic and operational preparedness and response plans at sub-regional and country levels, notably in relation to floods, droughts, and related outbreaks.
2) Provide technical expertise, advice, and appropriate capacity building to the WCO, government, NGOs, and other national and international health partners to implement public health risk management related to climate variability and change. Including, but not limited to:
a. Conduct of climate informed vulnerability and risk assessments and mapping
b. Development of National Disaster Management and Adaptation Plans of Action
c. Development and use of operational public health early warning and response systems tools for planning and decision-making to prevent climate-sensitive health impacts;
d. Contingency and preparedness planning for drought, flood, cyclones, and associated outbreaks

3) Provide additional technical support to WCOs implementing climate service programming where new tools and approaches are being piloted (e.g. Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique)

4) Serve as the link between the health and environment unit of the CDS cluster and the emergency preparedness and risk assessment of the HSE cluster within WHO/AFRO
5) Improve risk assessment and preparedness activities by facilitating enhanced coordination between WHO, MOH, and the National Hydrological and Meteorological Services, and facilitate collaboration with regional and international meteorological and other experts as required (e.g. WHO/WMO, ICPAC- Nairobi, ClimHealth Africa members.)

6) Represent WHO in relevant regional Global Framework for Climate Services activities, and regional fora, such as Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forums (SARCOF) and Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF).

7) Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

3. Recruitment Profile
Competencies: Generic
1. *Producing results
2. *Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
3. *Creating an empowering and motivating environment
4. Promoting WHO's position in health leadership
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Functional Knowledge and Skills
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience, such as in a National Health System/Service, or National Meteorological Service working on health issues or in an international setting;
• Sound technical expertise and experience in the assessment, monitoring, analysis of emergency and disaster risk conditions, including the use of climate and weather forecasts, and other environmental information for risk management.
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative skills in analysis, synthesis and computing;
• Experience in supporting capacity development activities, particularly in developing countries;
• Substantial project management skills and experience;
• Strong writing skills in the preparation of proposals, reports, project briefs, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work in international settings with staff from various geographical regions
Education Qualifications
Essential
Masters Degree in Public Health, International Health, Environmental Health or Epidemiology

Desirable
Masters degree or equivalent experience in Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Meteorology, GIS, Computer Science and Data Management

Desirable
• Experience or sound knowledge of WHO mandate and goals
• An understanding of the Global Framework for Climate Services
• Experience in climate and health research and training
• Experience in UN organizations/agencies, international institutions or NGOs

Language Skills
Required
Excellent written and spoken English or main WHO language of the duty station.

Desirable
Other UN languages , particularly French, Spanish, as well as African regional languages such as Kiswahili or Portuguese an advantage.

To apply, please contact Louise Atkins ( atkinslo@who.int )  by Wednesday 7 September 2016.