Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations. WHO connects nations, partners, and people to promote health, ensure global safety, and support vulnerable populations. Its goal is to enable everyone, everywhere, to attain the highest possible level of health. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, coordinates responses to health emergencies, and promotes healthier lives from pregnancy through old age. The Triple Billion targets outline an ambitious plan for achieving good health for all through science-based policies and programs. WHO has its headquarters in Geneva, along with six regional offices, 150 country offices, and various other offices worldwide. This assignment will be under the WHO regional office for the Western and Pacific region.

Context

The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific is dedicated to improving health and well-being across its member states. It has started the implementation of a new vision 2025-2029 in line with the WHO General Programme of work (GPW 14). The new vision uses weaving of a mat as a symbol to visualize collective action to improve health and well-being and save lives in the Western Pacific. Objectives of the Programme and Immediate Strategic The Information Technology team in the Western Pacific regional office provides information and technologies management and support services to the WHO Western Pacific region health technical and administrative teams across the region.

Task Description

The UN Volunteer will act as technical officer for IT applications under the guidance and direct supervision of the Manager, Information Technology unit. The incumbent will be part of the regional IT team, and will be expected to work independently, perform assignments, and organize own work and priorities based on the type and urgency of requests, as per standard procedures. Follow best practices and sound standards for service provision and routinely ensure all systems and processes are documented. The incumbent will perform the following functions for the regional and country offices: 1) Lead application development projects in the WHO WP region through all project lifecycle activities including requirements gathering and analysis, design, choice of technology, structure and configuration, deployment. 2) Promote high staff performance through effective agile teamwork, efficiency, innovation, and critical thinking. 3) Maintain systems development governance process to be observed for all Western Pacific developed applications. Document standards and guidelines for all regional applications through the lifecycle from user demand creation and analysis, planning, design, buy/build, to deliver and support. 4) Strengthen close business relationships with WPRO divisions and country offices to understand their requirements for applications to proactively identify new projects or changes. 5) Support the implementation of WHO global applications in WP offices acting as the focal point for key projects in the region. Collaborate with WHO project managers and users to oversee change, deployment and user adoption management activities in the region. 6) Maintain the inventory of all applications used in the region and associated licenses continuously evaluating their usage and identifying their need for maintenance, improvement, or retirement. Ensure all regional applications have a disaster recovery plan and meet all WHO cybersecurity requirements. 7) Lead the design, development, and customization of Business Intelligence solutions and dashboards to meet regional needs. 8) Support the procurement process for new software applications and licenses, and application IT consultancy through competitive bidding. Manager relationships with vendors closely evaluating their performance to achieve maximum value for money. 9) Closely follow industry trends for opportunities to introduce new applications using the latest technologies. Develop proof of concept applications for real use case scenarios showing impact for WP users. Results/expected outputs: As an active member of the WHO WPRO IT team, the technical officer applications will provide efficient, timely, responsive, client-oriented, and high-quality IT applications development and support to WHO in the accomplishment of their functions.

Competencies and values

1.Promoting the Organization’s position in Health Leadership. 2. Producing Results 3. Moving Forward in a Changing Environment. 4. Communication. 5. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences. 6. Professionalism. 7. Integrity. 8. Teamwork and respect for diversity. 9. Commitment to continuous learning. 10. Planning and organizing.

Living conditions and remarks

1. Security Situation: Manila, as the capital city of the Philippines generally offers a safe environment for residents and visitors. While the city itself is typically secure, it’s important to remain vigilant and stay informed about local conditions, particularly in neighborhoods known for higher crime rates. Volunteers should follow UN security protocols and travel advisories. 2. Access and Air Travel: Manila is home to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), the main gateway to the Philippines. The airport provides numerous international and domestic flight options. Within the city, public transportation, taxis, and ride-sharing services facilitate easy access to various destinations. 3. Climate: Manila has a tropical climate characterized by high humidity and temperatures ranging from 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F). It experiences three main seasons: Tag-init (dry season, December to May), Tag-ulan (rainy season, June to November), and cooler months in December and February. Typhoons can occur, particularly during the rainy season. 4. Cultural Awareness: Manila is a melting pot of cultures. While dress is generally casual, modest clothing is recommended, especially in religious sites. Alcohol consumption is common in social settings; moderation is encouraged, as excessive drinking can be viewed negatively. 5. Cost of Living: The cost of living in Manila is higher than in many other regions of the Philippines. A modest lifestyle typically ranges depending on individual preferences and lifestyle choices. Please check the following link for more information https://wise.com/us/blog/cost-of-living-in-the-philippines 6. Availability of Food/Water/Electricity: Manila boasts a vibrant food scene, offering a variety of local and international cuisines. Fresh produce and seafood are readily available. However, tap water is generally not safe to drink, so bottled water is recommended. Electricity is widely available, although power outages can occur, particularly during severe weather. 7. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Manila are of good quality, with numerous hospitals providing both public and private services. It is advisable for volunteers to have health insurance, as emergency care can be expensive. 8. Banking Facilities: Banks are easily accessible throughout Manila, offering ATMs, currency exchange, and online banking services. While credit cards are accepted in many establishments, cash remains the preferred payment method in smaller shops and markets. 9. Communication Infrastructure: Manila has a well-developed communication infrastructure, with reliable mobile networks and internet access. Major areas offer high-speed internet, while mobile plans are affordable, facilitating easy communication with family and friends. 10. Education facilities: Manila offers a variety of educational facilities for international UN volunteers with children, including international schools that follow different curricula, such as American, British, and IB programs. These schools provide quality education and a supportive environment for expatriate families. Many institutions also offer extracurricular activities and language support. It’s advisable to research and apply early, as spots can be competitive.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements