OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The World Health Organization’s Academy (‘The Academy’) is a new state-of-the-art learning institution that aims to enhance access to lifelong learning for millions of health workers around the world. Based in Lyon, France, the Academy Campus offers a wide range of learning modalities; on-line, face-to-face and blended. The Academy is an integral part of the WHO under the management authority of the Director-General. The overall goal of the Academy is to advance the learning and human development component of WHO’s General Programme of Work (GPW) and to contribute to achieving health sustainable development targets. The WHO Academy will deliver advanced digital and in-person learning to health policy practitioners, health workers and WHO workforce. The Academy constitutes a global initiative combining the latest technologies in digital and remote learning with advancements in adult learning science to offer innovative, personalized and multilingual learning that meets priority needs.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technology leadership and managerial support in learning technology ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
2. Manage the programme area to achieve its objectives by effectively leading a technology team, managing financial resources, and implementing efficient work plans to optimize the programme’s deliverables in alignment with the Academy’s mandate.
3. Collaborate closely with the Information Management and Technology department and other digital units to ensure that learning technologies are aligned with the broader technological infrastructure and data management strategies of the organization.
4. Oversee the strategic vision and implementation of the Academy learning technology roadmap.
5. Oversee the design, implementation, and management of technology-driven learning products, including the Learning Experience Platform (LXP), infrastructure, architecture, and advanced innovative learning technology solutions.
6. Prepare and oversee the budget for technology initiatives, and manage the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of key performance indicators in the subject area.
7. Develop and implement mechanisms to enhance the performance of programme deliverables and provide progress reports to senior management.
8. Serve as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise.
9. Liaise with and utilize partnerships in other UN Agencies, donors, research or academic institutions in the area of learning technology.
10. Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for learning and educational technology.
11. Stay abreast of emerging trends in e-learning and educational technology and assess their viability for adoption.
12. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An advanced level university degree in Computer Science, Information Management, Engineering, or a related field relevant to the position.
• Certifications in project management, including agile and/or LEAN practices, e.g. Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) or LEAN Six Sigma.

Desirable:

• Certification related to enterprise information technology architecture, such as TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework).
• Technical certifications related to DevOps environments such as Microsoft Azure, RedHat OpenShift, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in Information Technology.
• At least 5 years of experience in learning technologies, open-source solutions and the design and/or operation of learning platforms.
• Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources.
• Demonstrated experience at the international level.

Skills

• Strong team management, leadership, communication, and collaboration skills to work effectively with all stakeholders.
• Excellent project management skills (including Agile and LEAN methodologies) with a proven track record in managing complex projects.
• Ability to engage effectively and diplomatically with both internal and external partners; and mobilize resources.
• Proficient in the latest learning technologies and platforms.
• Understanding of product lifecycle management and software development processes.
• Advanced expertise in product architecture and designing workflows, with a strong command of open-source learning products, such as Moodle and Open edX.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing and developing open-source technologies, including Python, Node.js, and Vue.js, as well as proficiency in DevOps environments such as Microsoft Azure, RedHat OpenShift, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Proven skills in guiding the development of learning platforms that incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning, including deep neural networks Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), robotics, augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), and data analytics.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

• Expert knowledge of French.
• Intermediate knowledge of UN Languages.

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 4382 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 selection may be subject to the use of an executive search firm. 
• 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 E-Manual.

• 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 workforce. 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 short-listed candidates.

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

• 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.

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

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

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

• 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.

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