Organization Mission

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations Public Health Organization established in 1948. The objective of the World Health Organization shall be the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
World Health Organization achieves its goals by performing its essential functions:
1. Take a leadership role in key health issues and create partnerships when joint action is needed;
2. Set research priorities and encourage the acquisition, application and dissemination of useful knowledge;
3. Setting standards and criteria and encouraging and monitoring them;
4. Develop ethical and evidence-based policies
5. Provide technical support, be an agent of change and build institutional capacity in a sustainable way;
6. Monitor health status and assess health trends.

Context

WHO is the directing and coordinating agency for health within the United Nations System and operates at three levels: global, regional and country. The WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), in collaboration with External Relations and Partnerships Officers (ERPOs) deployed in Country Offices in the Region, provides technical assistance, guidance and coordination to, and for 47 countries in the African region. AFRO fosters synergies with international partners and global and regional health initiatives. The mission of the EPG Unit (External Relations, Partnerships and Governing Bodies) is to mobilize political will and resources, build strategic alliances and partnerships, manage external relations, coordinate the work of the WHO statutory meetings such as Regional Committee and enhance the contributions of delegations of the African Region to the work of WHO’s Governing Bodies in support of the achievement of regional health goals. The unit manages WHO/AFRO’s relationship with the international community by contributing to the positioning of the Organization’s regional health priorities into the agenda of the African and international community. The External Relations and Partnerships Officer will work as part of a team in the EPG Unit to assist in, facilitate and support efforts to mobilize financial resources and build an effective service for external relations in WHO’s Regional Office and support Country Offices in Africa. More particularly, this will comprise pro-active resource mobilization and grant management through building regional and international partnerships and support the work of the WHO AFRO.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Coordinator, External Relations, Partnerships, and Governing Bodies Unit (EPG), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Provide Donor Briefing Notes for WHO AFRO senior management through in-depth research and updating donor profiles;
• Assist departments and teams in the development of quality proposals, preparation of grant agreements; timely reporting; disbursement requests, no-cost extension and other relevant correspondence;
• Liaise with the Communication Unit in supporting technical teams to increase the donor visibility and their work;
• Provide support on engagement with partners;
• Provide support to the work on Governing Bodies including through maintaining a roster of partners and follow-ups with the online registrations;
• Contribute to management of EPG SharePoint;
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Coordinator, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Unit.Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
– Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities such as International Volunteer Day
– Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country
– Provide annual and end of assignment reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application
– Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
– Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers
– Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.Results/Expected Outputs
• At the end of the assignment, it will be expected that the UNV will have contributed to WHO’s capacity to mobilize and manage contributions to the WHO Regional Office in Africa; as well as have contributed to expand WHO’s African Regions’ network of partners and contributed to the smooth operation of the WHO Governing Bodies in AFRO. The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed
• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);

Required Skills and Experience

• 3 years of experience in Resource mobilization, partnership and donor coordination.
• Computer skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel and presentation software (PowerPoint)
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, with attention to detail and with the ability to multi-task and work under pressure. Diplomacy, courtesy and ability to work in a multi-cultural team.
• Desirable: Professional experience in an international organisation, or at country level would be an asset.

Core Competencies

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Living Conditions

A middle-income country, Congo is experiencing a particularly favorable development context with a stabilized macroeconomic framework because of the implementation of ambitious macroeconomic reforms. Economic growth averaged around 6% for over a decade. However, should the current decline in the price of a barrel of petroleum persists, it could hinder this dynamic. Note that the performance at the macro level contrast with the living conditions of populations which remain difficult. Unemployment, particularly among young people remains high and the cost of living is quite high compared to other countries in the sub-region. Food imports account for most of the coverage needs of the population in major cities. Peace and security have improved considerably. However, the Congo has two security levels:
• Level 2 in Brazzaville, Pointe – Noire and the Pool department
• Level 1 the rest of the territory.
The UNV will be based in Brazzaville, the capital city. The city is quiet, everyday life in Brazzaville is safe and one can circulate freely. The food and non-food commodities are available. Medical facilities are up to standard. It is difficult to find a suitable apartment with basic security conditions and water supply. The apartments must be approved by the Department of Safety and Security in Brazzaville. Missions in regions where the beneficiaries are located are organized as needed. The WHO Regional Office is located South on the outskirt of Brazzaville. A shuttle is available to take staff members to and from work at scheduled hours.