Purpose of Job
The Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) Manager is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Africa CDC’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC). This includes ensuring that the PHEOC is prepared to respond to public health emergencies, coordinating the activities of the PHEOC during an emergency, and evaluating the effectiveness of the PHEOC’s response. The Public Health Emergency Operations Center Manager will also work to build partnerships with other organizations to support the PHEOC’s work.
Main Functions
This job involves the following main functions that are generally applicable for this category:
• Provide technical and intellectual support in the management of various elements related to the area of expertise.
• Identify best practices and monitor effectiveness of the Office’s support to Africa CDC.
• Assist in the development of the strategies and business continuity plan and participate in/ensure their implementation
• Foster and ensure implementation of initiatives related to area of specialization;
• Assist in the organization of thematic networks, consultations and meetings on development cooperation and international relations.
• Develop materials and provide necessary training and support to Organization Units as required.
• Provide technical guidance on matters relating to system review and implementation project in area of specialization, as required.
Specific Responsibilities
• Ensure that the PHEOC is prepared to respond to public health emergencies, including developing and maintaining plans and procedures, training staff and conducting related exercises.
• Lead and manage the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) team within the Division of Preparedness and Response at Africa CDC
• Coordinate and oversee the implementation of PHEOC activities, including emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation
• Develop and update PHEOC policies, procedures, guidelines and tools in alignment with the Africa CDC Incident Management System and the International Health Regulations
• Ensure effective communication and information sharing among PHEOC staff, partners, stakeholders and Member States during public health emergencies
• Provide technical guidance and support to Member States and Regional Collaborating Centers on PHEOC establishment, functionality and performance
• Monitor and evaluate the PHEOC operations, outputs and outcomes and report on the progress and challenges
• Manage the PHEOC budget, resources, staff and equipment and ensure compliance with donor requirements and Africa CDC regulations
• Represent the PHEOC in internal and external meetings, workshops, trainings and conferences and advocate for PHEOC priorities and needs
• Foster a culture of collaboration, learning and innovation within the PHEOC team and across the Division of Preparedness and Response
• Coordinate the activities of the PHEOC during an emergency, including ensuring that the necessary resources are available, communicating with stakeholders, and making decisions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the PHEOC’s response to public health emergencies and make recommendations for improvement.
• Build partnerships with other organizations to support the PHEOC’s work, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other international organizations.
• Represent the Africa CDC at regional and international meetings and events related to public health emergency management.
• Publish articles and reports on the PHEOC’s work.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Director of Preparedness and Response or the Director of Africa CDC
Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience
• Master’s Degree or Bachelor Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Disaster Management or a related field, with at least seven (7) or ten (10) years of relevant work experience out of which at least three (3) years should be at supervisory level in public health, with focus on emergency management
• PhD in Public Health or a related field is a plus.
• Experience in coordinating international responses to public health emergencies.
• Experience in writing and publishing scientific articles.
• Experience in networking and building partnerships.
• Proven experience in leading and managing multidisciplinary teams in complex and dynamic environments
• Experience in strategic planning, program development, budgeting, and resource mobilization for public health emergency preparedness and response
• Proven experience in coordinating and collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including governments, donors, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society organizations
• Technical expertise in public health emergency operations center design, establishment, operation, and evaluation
• Knowledge of the International Health Regulations (2005) and other relevant frameworks and guidelines for public health emergency preparedness and response
• Proven ability to manage and coordinate complex projects.
• Experience in managing and operating a PHEOC.
Required Skills
• Excellent leadership skills
• Communication, advocacy, and representation skills for public health emergency issues at regional and global levels
• Proficiency in any AU working languages; fluency in English and French is highly preferred, while working knowledge of other African languages an asset
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Leadership Competencies
Core Competencies
Functional Competencies
TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:
The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.
GENDER MAINSTREAMING:
The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
LANGUAGES:
Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage
REMUNERATION:
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 96,921.34 (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.
Applications must be submitted no later than December 1, 2023 11h59 p.m. EAT.
-Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
-Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
-The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
-Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles. These countries include Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, Somalia and Tunisia.
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