Field Medical Officer

Field Medical Officer (FMO) – (2303159)

Grade: No grade
Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): The duration of the contract will depend on the need of the functions.
Primary Location: Nepal
Organization: SE_NEP WR Office, Nepal
Schedule: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.
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Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster for WHO Health Emergency Programme (WHE), Nepal. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for the assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a SSA contract. There is no commitment on either side.

Objective of the Programme:

The objective of the WHO Nepal Country Office is to implement the Country Cooperation Strategy by supporting the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Government of Nepal (GoN) in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national health policies, strategies and plans and developing and managing WHO’s technical cooperation programmes at the country level. The Country Office collaborates with the Government of Nepal and relevant stakeholders in support of their efforts of achieving national health goals; of ensuring the attainment of universal health coverage and of contributing to global and regional public health action by providing need-based technical assistance in national level policy formulation, setting norms and standards, improving knowledge dissemination and management, monitoring country health situation and building sustainable institutional capacity, to play a greater leadership role in different national level policy technical forums. WHO provides guidance and technical support in organizing the humanitarian health response following multi-hazard emergencies and in revitalizing the capacity of the health sector to recover and rebuild from emergencies in appropriate and sustainable ways. In the inter-emergency period the objectives are to increase the capacity and resilience of the Nepal Health System to reduce risk, prevent and prepare for disasters, to mitigate adverse health consequences, through supporting the Emergency Risk Management interventions prioritized in the national plan for the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030); and the health security interventions for enhancement of core capacities required to comply with the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 as prioritized in the National Action Plan on Health Security (NAPHS), National Action Plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance (NAP-AMR) and National Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan (NPPRP).WHO strives to integrate and harmonize the actions undertaken for enhanced ERM and Health Security with the interventions implemented to achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and health systems strengthening through appropriate capacity building and co-ordination mechanisms and partnerships. The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) supports the MoHP, GoN to direct and coordinate the rapid provision of life-saving emergency health interventions at scale in the aftermath of multi-hazard emergencies and disasters and subsequently assists in the rapid recovery of the health system in collaboration with national and international partners. Thereupon it provides technical support to the MoHP and partners to enhance health sector emergency risk management through prevention risk reduction or mitigation; preparedness and response readiness to build a health system that is resilient to multi-hazard disasters including public health emergencies.

Summary of assigned duties:

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader – WHO Health Emergencies Program (WHE), and the direct supervision of the National Professional Officer – IHR; in close cooperation with the relevant Technical Officers/ Incident Management System pillar leads (when activated) and National Professional Officers of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme of the WHO Country Office for Nepal; and in close collaboration with the relevant government counterparts – Health Emergency and Disaster Management Unit (HEDMU)/ Health Emergency Operation Center(HEDMU/HEOC)/ Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD)/ National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL)/ Provincial Health Directorate (PHD)/ Ministry of Social Development (MoSD)/Provincial Health Secretary – the WHO Field Medical Officer (FMO) will perform the following duties:

1.Support in Strengthening capacities related to International Health Regulations at Federal and Provincial Level to:

• Support implementation of IHR core capacities strengthening as applicable following the central level programme and initiatives;
• Support implementation, monitoring and assessment of existing and planned epidemiologic and laboratory surveillance (event- and indicator-based) mechanisms for IHR reportable events including Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) and laboratory sentinel surveillance;
• Conduct risk assessments and draft risk-informed and prioritized epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response plans, standard operating procedures and risk communication strategies;
• Support rumor verification, reporting, investigation, response and coordinate for IHR reportable events;
• Support establishment, capacity-building, and operational readiness of Epidemic Rapid Response Teams or RRTs;
• Coordinate with partners for preparedness and response to IHR reportable events;
• Facilitate collection and transportation of the appropriate specimens for IHR reportable events to public health laboratories for etiologic confirmation;
• Support strengthening of field epidemiology, data management, risk assessment, risk communication and media management capacities through contextualization of relevant technical guidelines and capacity-building activities;
• Facilitate planned capacity-building, operations research, and monitoring and evaluation activities to strengthen and maintain IHR core capacities
• To document lessons learned and best practices related to preparedness and response activities for IHR reportable events including AMR.
• Support in strengthening one health sector to promote multisectoral responses to public health threats originating in the animal-human-environment interface
• Support in harmonizing risk communication and community engagement activities in relation to IHR reportable events at the federal, provincial and subnational level.

2.Health Emergencies Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, support Federal and Provincial health authorities to:

2.1Planning and assessments

• Conduct hazard, vulnerability and capacity assessment and support preparation/updating of risk-informed and prioritized multi-hazard health sector emergency/disaster risk reduction and management plans, standard operating protocols including appropriate monitoring and evaluation strategies;
• Support implementation, monitoring, and periodic evaluation and updating of approved health sector emergency / disaster risk reduction and management plans;
• Support implementation and assessment of health sector and hospital contingency plans for emergencies through supporting HEOC and provincial HEOCs (PHEOCs) in conducting table-top exercises, functional drills, simulation exercises, and after-action reviews
• Support the development and maintenance of effective capacity for planning and implementing critical public health interventions for managing emergencies;
• Support evidence-based planning and decision-making for emergency preparedness and response in close collaboration with information management and other relevant colleagues.
• Undertake planned capacity building, operations research and monitoring and evaluation activities to strengthen health sector disaster risk reduction and management capabilities to address multi-hazard risks;
• Support documentation of lessons learned and best practices related to health sector disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response and recovery interventions and provision of effective public health, pre- hospital, hospital and post-hospital care services in responding to emergencies / disasters and mass casualty events.

2.2Coordination

• Support the Health Emergency Operations Centers (HEOC) and their coordination, communication, and information management functions throughout the humanitarian program cycle[1];
  • Support implementation of HEOC mechanisms to coordinate with hub and satellite hospitals, Health Cluster partners, other overall and sectoral EOCs, and allied sectors to collaborate on health sector emergency preparedness and response interventions;
  • Assist in the development, capacitation, activation and effective functioning of the Incident Command System at the HEOC for emergency or disaster response in the health sector
  • Assist the HEOC and the Health Cluster to conduct initial rapid assessments, sectoral assessments and post disaster needs assessment following an emergency / disaster;
  • Assist the HEOC to effectively manage health sector recovery following an emergency / disaster ensuring adherence to “build-back-better” principles
• Support establishment, development, capacitation, activation and effective functioning of the Health Cluster and its sub-clusters managed by the HEOC for emergency or disaster response in the health sector; and to actively engage all responding stakeholders to health needs including grassroots and local non-government organizations
• Support the functioning of the Public Health Emergency Management Sub Committees as per the Risk Reduction & Disaster Management Act of the Government of Nepal;
• Conduct relevant stakeholders mapping and analysis through the 3Ws (who does what where) and facilitate its regular update;

2.3Response

• Support monitoring, verification, reporting and investigation of events with potential or actual health impact;
• Assist in response activities addressing public health emergencies and health needs arising from other emergencies or disasters
• Support establishment, capacity-building, and operational readiness of Emergency Medical Deployment Teams (EMDT) from Hub and Satellite Hospital networks;
• Support deployment of EMDT and support coordination with provincial governments ensuring that the data collected is submitted into the national system, and facilitate smooth handover of activities to the provincial government prior to withdrawal with documentation of activities conducted;
• Support the development and maintenance of effective pre-hospital, hospital and post-hospital care services in responding to public health emergencies and mass casualty events;
• Facilitate mobilization of response items through the operations support and logistics as appropriate in the respective duty station.

2.4 Cross-cutting

• Supervise the Information Management Associate (IMA) stationed at the HEOC / PHEOC / EDCD / NPHL, as appropriate, ensuring smooth flow of information and maintenance of data and Information and communications technology or ICT equipment;
• Support capacity building activities, to include areas of and in collaboration with WHO/Communicable Disease Surveillance team or CDS, to enhance the capacity of the provincial staff in communicable disease control, outbreak investigation, risk communication and epidemiology for the functionality of PHEOCs, using the practical work in the provinces as a teaching ground;
• In all activities related to IHR reportable events, AMR, and non-communicable disease emergency or disaster with actual or potential health impact, the FMO will work in close coordination with other WHO personnel co-located in the same duty station;
• Perform any other relevant tasks/duties as assigned by the Team Leader – WHE, the supervising WHE – TOs/NPOs, and the WHO Representative. This includes duty travel or duty-station reassignment at any time as per the program requirements in line with WHO mobility policy.

Qualifications: Education

Essential: A medical graduate from an institution recognized by Nepal Medical Council (NMC) with valid registration in the NMC.

Desirable: Post-graduate qualification in public health/Community Medicine, crisis management, emergency/disaster response, or related field.

Experience:

Essential: Minimum two years of relevant experience.

Desirable: Experience in field epidemiological investigation or emergency/disaster response.

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

• Self-motivated with ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Good interpersonal skills, able to work as a team member in a multi-cultural environment.
  Ability to travel at short notice within the country and to perform practical hands-on field work.
• Ability to participate actively and cooperatively in knowledge sharing and policy forums at sub-national levels and to coordinate with the Government of Nepal (GoN) agencies.
• Good knowledge in outbreak response, disease control and emergency risk management in the health sector.
• Very good analytical skills including ability to collect and analyze technical data and information and to draw and present conclusions in written and spoken form.
• Very good writing skills in English, including the ability to write clear and concise progress reports, analytical reports, plans and proposals

Other Skills:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Internet and Email is essential.

Proficiency in Statistical / Epidemiological Analysis software desired.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respective and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing Results

Use of language Skills:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Nepali

Remuneration:

Monthly Salary: (Net of tax) NPR Rs 196,102.00 (Level 8) at single rate (taxable as per Nepal Government laws).

Grade: Level 8

Duty Station: Anywhere in Nepal

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and the interview may be used to screen applicants.
• Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
• WHO only considers higher educational qualification obtained from accredited institution. The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net.
• Any misrepresentative of facts would disqualify the candidate.
• No telephone enquiries or paper applications please.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• Application from qualified female candidates particularly from disadvantaged and socially excluded groups are -strongly encouraged.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• This position is subject to local recruitment.

Closing Date: May 24, 2023, 3:44:00 AM

Tagged as: Kathmandu, Medical Officer, NGO INGO, World Health Organization