Chief Health Logistics Officer at World Health Organization

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

• In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response (EPR), at regional and hub level, the Chief - Health Logistics Officer will coordinate and conduct the setup and management of the Health Logistics support services unit of the response, in full compliance with WHO rules and the associated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: 

Management

• Provide timely technical expertise to the Unit and manage the overall implementation of technical activities.
• Monitor the health logistics team’s performance and regularly report to the OSL management, drawing their attention to needs, gaps, and problems and proposing remedial actions.
• Manage adequate organizational models and appropriate means to support the response.
• Liaise with technical experts to ensure proper needs identification from stakeholders and financial validation.
• During an outbreak, in collaboration with IMS and partners, supervise technical trainings, including safe and dignified burial, IPC, implementation/design of emergency treatment centers, WASH, and sample transportation.
• Manage Health and Technical budget response.

Health Facilities Support

• Manage health facilities supported by WHO to ensure appropriate set-up and equipment of facilities and mobile medical activities, such as vaccination campaigns, laboratory support, and other emergency health-related activities.
• Ensure water, sanitation, hygiene, and infection control standards requirements are in place and up to standard for all health facilities supported by the WHO.
• Participate in the planning of health facilities management and ambulatory health activities.
• Undertake regular field assessments to inspect the quality of health facilities (design, qualification, vetting, etc.) and storage conditions.
• Provide regular reporting on OSL technical health logistics activities.

Laboratory

• Supervise mobile laboratory deployment and activities and ensure safe transportation of samples.
• In collaboration with counterparts, provide input into upgrading the existing Mobile Laboratory and define laboratory layout according to local infrastructure when necessary.
• In coordination with Mobile Laboratory stakeholder focal point, provide technical input on
• vector control management set up and routine control to prevent infection into the structure.
• Ensure proper sample flow according to partners’ requirements (screening point, collection point, storage point, etc.).
• Assess overall needs, forecast supplies, and define adequate work plan of services support
• (Water and Sanitation, Power supply, Cold Chain, Decontamination area, Waste management, Staff transport, Cleaning, Security, etc.).
• Participate in the development of appropriate SOPs to frame logistics support of Mobile
• Laboratory activities with appropriate means.

Cold Chain

• Contribute to the assessment and forecasting of Cold Chain and vaccination activities and needs, adequately develop the IMS Strategic Response Plan and ensure overall needs are forecasted into the Health Response Plan budget.
• Conduct logistics for Cold Chain and vaccination project implementation (activities, budget, and project documentation) in line with Event response strategy and tactical approach.
• Coordination of the Health Logistics Partners
• Provide technical support to State Members, UN agencies, international organizations, and institutions for developing and implementing infectious diseases treatment facilities and/or repurposing existing structures in collaboration with other WHO experts.
• Conduct webinars and capacity-building training on infectious diseases, including setting up health facilities and facilitating compliance with IPC standards and clinical management requirements in treatment centers.
• Support the development of standardized tools and SOPs for infectious diseases health facility management related to IPC and WASH activities, including waste management of hazardous laboratories waste and follow-up on human resources requirements.
• Coordinate with IMS, OCHA, and Health and Logistics clusters.
• Actively promote and manage the coordination mechanism platform and build a strong collaborative network.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Educational (Qualifications)

Essential

• An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in biomedical engineering, logistics, pharmacy, or a related field relevant to the functions of the positions from an accredited/ recognized institute.
• Desirable
• Recognized training or certification in Emergency Disaster Management

Experience

Essential

• At least ten (10) years of related experience in managing large-scale disaster emergency response and/or public health events with international concern, operations in international organizations/institutions, part of which is in the field supporting emergency humanitarian operations.
• Demonstrated exposure at the international level.

Desirable

• Related experience with WHO, the UN system, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations, or international nongovernmental organizations working in the field during outbreaks and/or health emergency response.

Skills

• Excellent organizational and managerial skills with the ability to multitask, deliver results in time-bounded scenarios, and identify and solve problems.
• Sound knowledge and experience in technical health logistics.
• Strong ability to ensure the effective use of resources.
• Proven ability to manage a diverse team across different functional areas.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate with and convince officials with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to present information to achieve desired results.
• Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident
• management context.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork.

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
• Communication.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.

Use of Language Skills

• Excellent knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Other Skills (e.g., IT)

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated computer skills with an emphasis on database management.
• Demonstrated skills in using equipment such as radio and satellite phones.

Closing Date: May 29, 2023