Technical Officer (Emergency Medical Teams)

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2603524
• Grade: NO-B
• Contractual arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
• Contract duration: 6 months
• Organization: EU_UKR WHO Country Office, Ukraine
• Schedule: Part-time
• Closing date: Sep 4, 2026, 6:59:00 AM

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

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO’s work in countries operationalizes the General Programme of Work (GPW14) and the European Programme of Work 2025-2029 (EPW2). GPW14 focuses on accelerating progress toward Health for All by strengthening systems for health, improving access to essential services, advancing preparedness and resilience, and reducing health inequalities. EPW2, endorsed at RC75 following extensive consultation with Member States, reaffirms WHO/Europe’s role in bringing unique value to countries through five core functions:
1.    International knowledge hub for health – providing authoritative evidence, norms, policies and best practices from across the Region and globally to inform national public health decision-making.
2.    Impartial coordinator for everyone’s health – convening national stakeholders and partners to align strategies and support coherent, multisectoral responses to shared health challenges.
3.    Leader in tracking and managing cross-border health threats – supporting surveillance, preparedness, and coordinated action on public health emergencies in line with the Preparedness 2.0 agenda.
4.    Driver of health system transformation – advising national authorities on evidence-informed reforms and policies that strengthen health systems and improve performance.
5.    Voice for health equity – helping countries identify who is being left behind and integrating equity considerations into health policies and strategies.

In this context, WHO Country Offices enable the translation of global and regional commitments into national action. They support Member States by providing strategic advice, convening dialogue across sectors and partners, connecting national authorities with WHO’s technical expertise, and facilitating the use of evidence and best practices to inform policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Technical Officer (Emergency Medical Teams) will serve as the National UNITE/KAPP Technical officer and lead the implementation of the Ukrainian National Initiative for Emergency Medical Teams (UNITE Project) at the country level. As the main focal point within the WHO Country Office, the incumbent will act as the primary interface between the WHO Country Office, WHO Regional Office for Europe, WHO Headquarters, the Center for Disaster Medicine (CDM), consortium partners, donors and national authorities.

Under supervision of Trauma unit head, lead the overall implementation and day-to-day management of the UNITE/KAPP Project in Ukraine, ensuring timely delivery of activities, milestones, deliverables and reporting requirements in accordance with the approved project workplan, budget and monitoring framework.

1.    Act as a focal point between the WHO Country Office, the Center for Disaster Medicine, WHO Regional Office for Europe, WHO Headquarters, consortium members, donors and national stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, coordination and information sharing throughout project implementation.
2.    Support the Head of the Center for Disaster Medicine in coordinating project implementation, facilitating planning, follow-up of agreed actions, and resolution of implementation challenges.
3.    Coordinate the contributions of consortium partners and technical experts to ensure coherent implementation of project activities, effective use of resources and achievement of project objectives.
4.    Provide project management support for the development and implementation of the National EMT Action Plan, national EMT validation framework, standard operating procedures, governance arrangements and other strategic deliverables in collaboration with national and international partners.
5.    Provide technical and logistical facilitation for pilot EMT validation visits across selected oblasts, supporting peer-review teams and analyzing assessment results to refine the quality assurance framework before national rollout.
6.    Facilitate collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Center for Disaster Medicine, civil protection authorities, emergency management institutions and other stakeholders to strengthen multisectoral coordination, emergency preparedness and operational readiness.
7.    Support the coordination and implementation of project activities related to twinning partnerships, technical missions, mentoring programmes, simulation exercises, knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiatives.
8.    support the technical preparation, agenda design, and execution of WHO-facilitated national workshops and training events, including the Training of Trainers (ToT) for the Ukrainian Validation Body.
9.    Support the coordination and implementation of digital solutions, including KIMEP modules supporting EMT coordination, validation, roster management and information management.
10.    Support the process of local User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for KIMEP modules in Ukraine, systematically gathering user feedback from national health and civil protection stakeholders to guide platform refinements.
11.    Establish and maintain strong working relationships with government institutions, consortium partners, academic institutions, professional associations, development partners and donors to support effective implementation and long-term sustainability of project outcomes.
12.    Monitor project progress, identify implementation risks and operational bottlenecks, facilitate timely corrective actions, and ensure compliance with WHO policies, donor requirements and consortium governance arrangements.
13.    Coordinate preparation of annual workplans, technical reports, progress reports, briefing materials, monitoring and evaluation reports, and donor reporting requirements.
14.    Support to resource mobilization efforts and the development of follow-on initiatives to ensure sustainability and further expansion of Ukraine's National EMT system beyond the lifetime of the project.
15.    Act as WHO and the UNITE/KAPP Project focal point in national technical working groups, steering committees, interagency coordination mechanisms, professional meetings and other relevant national and international forums.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree (Bachelor level) in public health, health/disaster/emergency management, health systems, social sciences, international relations, management, or a related field relevant to the position.
Desirable: Advanced degree in public health, health/disaster/emergency management, health systems, social sciences, international relations, management, or a related field relevant to the position. Additional postgraduate qualification or certified training in project management, health emergency management, or related discipline.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of relevant professional experience in project management, planning, implementation, coordination, management and evaluation of health, public health or health emergency programmes or projects, including experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and partners and managing workplans, budgets, monitoring and reporting. Professional experience working in countries within the WHO European Region, including Ukraine.
Desirable: Direct experience supporting the development, coordination or quality assurance of national or international Emergency Medical Team (EMT) systems, including familiarity with the WHO EMT model, the EMT 2030 Strategy and/or the EMT Regional Action Plan 2024–2030. Relevant experience working with WHO, the United Nations, or other international or development organizations. Experience in health emergency preparedness and response, civil protection or disaster risk management. Experience coordinating donor-funded and/or multi-partner projects.

Functional Skills

• Good knowledge of Emergency Medical Team (EMT) frameworks and standards, EMT governance, health emergency preparedness and response and/or multisectoral coordination between the health and civil protection sectors.
• Proven project management skills, including planning, coordination, budget monitoring, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting against workplans and donor requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and liaise with a broad range of stakeholders, including national authorities, WHO and other UN or international organizations, consortium partners and donors.
• Strong facilitation, capacity-building and training skills, including the design and delivery of workshops and training events.
• Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of standard text, spreadsheet and presentation software applications.
• Emotional intelligence: the ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as help others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian. 

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 23,745 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 15 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• 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/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

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• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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