OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objectives of the Coordinator – Special Programmes are to: Provide policy and technical advice and assistance to the Regional Director in developing, implementing, monitoring progress, and evaluating impacts of Regional Director’s priority programme initiatives, as guided by Member States; Ensure smooth coordination and collaboration across technical departments and offices; as well as development partners, in relation to Regional Director’s priority programme initiatives; Provide reports on progress on implementation and impacts of Regional Director’s priority programme initiatives to WHO Governing bodies, Member States, relevant partners; Support the effective secretariat functioning to advisory committee(s) to Regional Director.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will serve as a Coordinator and provide leadership in the following key areas: policy development and technical cooperation, administration and management.

1. Policy development and technical cooperation

• Provide strategic and technical advice to the Regional Director in the development and execution of Regional Director’s priority programme initiatives;
• Provide policy and strategic inputs into situational analysis and assessment in the implementation of Regional Director’s priority programme initiatives;
• Coordinate, across organizational units and levels, for the execution of Regional Director’s priority programme initiatives;
• Coordinate, across organizational units and levels, in the implementation of recommendations from the advisory committee(s) to Regional Director;
• Promote recognition to- and proactive roles in global health of WHO SEARO and SEAR Member States; in relation to Regional Director’s priority programme initiatives;
• Provide timely operational report for the progress in implementation of Regional Director’s priority programme initiatives to WHO senior management, Member States, WHO governing bodies, and partners

2. Administration and management

• Mobilize partnership and strengthen collaboration with external partners, including UN agencies, philanthropic agencies, technical agencies, implementation partners, and civil society organizations; in relation to Regional Director’s priority programme initiatives;
• Function as secretariat focal point for the meetings of the advisory committee(s) to Regional Director; including in implementing the recommendations;
• Provide guidance and managerial input to ensure effective staff and team performance, appropriate staff development;
• Ensure optimal use of resources to produce maximal contribution through planning, coordinating and managing efficiently the financial, technical, logistics and human resources and, as needed, provide policy and operational guidance and training.
• Under guidance from Regional Director, support the work of the RD Office and other cross-organizational committees.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in Medicine, Social Sciences, Public Health, or related fields.
Desirable: Doctoral degree in public health, or related fields.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of experience at senior levels in public health and global health, including considerable experience obtained in an international context. Good working knowledge of WHO procedures and system.
Desirable: Experience of working in WHO, the UN organization and international development partners for health. Experience in representing an organization at senior level in international forums and/or coordinating with member states and partners.

Skills

• Technical and public health administration
• Knowledge of the policies and programmes of WHO and other UN agencies
• Resource mobilization and partnership management
• Effective communications skills and writing skills
• Coaching and mentoring skills

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 92,731 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3253 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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/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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The 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.

• The 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 can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

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