Overview

Health Logistics Officer – (2400012)

Grade: No grade

Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 3 months

Job Posting

: Jan 2, 2024, 4:40:32 PM

Closing Date

: Jan 18, 2024, 12:59:00 AM

Primary Location

: Malawi-Lilongwe

Organization

: AF_MWI Malawi

Schedule

: Full-time

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

Background

Objectives of the Programme

The mission of WHO’s Emergencies Preparedness and Response (EPR) program is to support member states to i) prepare for and prevent disease outbreaks and health emergencies, ii) promptly detect, report, and confirm outbreaks, and iii) strengthen and sustain their capacity to respond to and recover from the negative effects of health emergencies.

Purpose of the Position

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies incident management system, at the country level, the incumbent will support the district response, coordinate and implement technical activities directed towards public health readiness and response, surveillance of outbreaks and health emergencies, scale up the implementation of evidence-based interventions, ninformation management, facilitate policy and decision making processes through improved health information coverage, analysis and quality throughout the full cycle of the incident response based on innovative approaches that utilize available and affordable technologies. The incumbent will advise national actors on public health issues related to emergency response and liaise with other sectors in providing a public health response during emergencies and consequent outbreaks.

Organizational Context

Support national or district efforts towards preparedness and response to public health emergencies and natural disasters through technical assistance at the national or subnational level in the country of assignment. Under the direct supervision of the EPR Team Leader, the incumbent will perform the required duties within the framework of WHO program and policy documents.

Deliverables

Reporting to the Team Lead, and based on priorities set by the Incident Manager and the WHO Head of Country Office, and working closely with counterparts at the Ministry of Health (MoH), respective regional office and HQ , the incumbent will work in close collaboration with relevant technical officers at the national level and subnational levels.:

  • Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to the needs and agenda:
  • Assess health logistics inventory and needs, focusing on health facilities, laboratory facilities, mobile medical activities, patients’ transportation, outbreak response, IPCs, deployment of medical products, etc.) and WASH activities required to support the health emergency response.
  • Support the OSL Manager and WHO partners within the logistics cluster in the development of health logistics response plan, priority activities, and list of required means to adequately address the WHO and partner health operation  needs.
  • Provide technical guidance to the MOH logistics team on the appropriated functioning of the health facilities, mobile medical activities such as vaccination campaigns, laboratory support and other emergency health related activities.
  • Facilitate the set up and the overall management of emergency health facilities through the rehabilitation of existing facilities or the deployment of emergency units using the capacity of the WHO/OSL partners or subcontracted actors.
  • Ensure that the medical facilities as well as mobile health activities have sustainable access to clean water, energy source, waste management facilities and adequate supply in compliance with WHO health standard.
  • Oversee the efficient and safe transportation of laboratory samples to provide WHO and partners with best appropriated sample results lead time.
  • Provide quality assurance to the set up and sustainable access to adequate, efficient and safe cold chain facilities for a reliable supply of medical items requiring temperature control environment.
  • Monitor, evaluate and report country progress on health logistics activities within the health facilities and for other health activities in the context of the incident management system.
  • Develop and conduct required training for MOH staff and WHO partners to build up local competences and ease the implementation of efficient health logistics management for all health activities.
  • Draft the required evaluation or situation reports to ensure appropriated communication and reporting mechanisms with the onsite OSL Manager, all concerned technical experts and OSL regional and HQ entities.
  • Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Qualifications

Essential: First level university degree in health (medicine, nursing), pharmacy or other related field, with certified training in health logistics, from an accredited and recognized academic institution.

Desirable: Second degree in health (medicine, nursing), pharmacy or other related field, with certified training in health logistics, from an accredited and recognized academic institution.

Experience

Essential:

  •  A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience, at the national and international level, in the design and implementation of health logistics, assessment and/or the design and management of related projects in emergency situations.
  •  Experience in developing and promoting collaborative actions with national authorities.

Desirable: Prior relevant work experience in WHO/UN system, health cluster partners, relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.

Use of Language skills:

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English

Desirable: Knowledge of the local language(s)

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
  • Working knowledge of online data collection applications, statistical analysis packages (Stata, SPSS, etc).

 

Functional Skills/Knowledge

  • Demonstrated knowledge of emergency response activities in the field of health logistics management with proven ability to identify and solve technical problems in difficult circumstances.
  • Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with proven ability to elaborate and implement projects.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work under pressure.
  • Proven ability to promote cohesive action and convince officials with tact and diplomacy.
  • Knowledge of WHO, the UN System or NGO work in the field of response relief and/or of their practices and procedures as related to the work.
  • Good interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with fluency in oral and written English
  • Good negotiation and diplomatic skills and ability to work in multi-cultural settings and culturally sensitive communities.
  • Energetic and able to work and live in insecure and hardship conditions in the field
  • Time management and ability to prioritize multiple tasks
  • A self-motivated person able to work without close supervision
  • Able to work effectively in a diverse team environment

Languages and level required

Essential: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is required

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Producing results