OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacities of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The Programme supports countries and coordinates international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The objectives of the Country Readiness Strengthening Department include the development and strengthening of core national capacities necessary to mitigate and respond to emergency risks and vulnerabilities. The Department prioritizes support to the most vulnerable and low-capacity countries. The Community Readiness and Resilience Unit (CRR), aims to support Member States to strengthen community readiness and resilience for health emergencies through development and implementation of relevant norms and standards, strategies, guide and tools in close collaboration at three levels of the organization and through strengthening technical and operational networks and partnerships at all levels.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will:

1) Lead CRR’s continuous efforts for systematic engagement of CSOs building on lessons learnt from COVID-19 Solidarity Fund Initiative on CSO’s engagement for strengthening community readiness and resilience in close collaboration with focal points in Regional and Country Offices:

a) develop and implement the initiatives/activities together with regional and country offices;

b) coordinate necessary technical support from WHO Headquarters if required;

c) monitor progress of the initiatives/activities to ensure the milestones and deliverables are achieved, make adjustments as necessary;

d) document progress made, lessons learnt, engagement mechanisms and best practices regularly in consultation with regional and country offices.

2) Coordinate with relevant technical programmes across the three levels of the Organization to align the implementation of the CSOs’ engagement initiatives for health emergencies with other WHO led CSO engagement initiatives and efforts including WHO CSO Commission.

3) Regularly consult with regional and country office focal points, and CSOs networks to coordinate briefs on progress of activities implemented under the CSOs engagement initiative.

4) Develop an interactive knowledge sharing and learning platforms for competency and capacity building of CSOs – in collaboration with other WHO Learning Platforms.

5) Develop relevant norms, standards, guide and tools for systematic CSOs’ engagement for health emergencies.

6) Support the CRR unit for building broad partnerships and networks on community readiness and resilience with relevant stakeholders and multiple partners particularly contributing from CSOs engagement initiative at local,national, and global levels.

7) Provide coordination and managerial support for convening CRR partners and expert networks including the CRR TAG.

8) Collaborate with other team members of the CRR unit to contribute to the strategic direction and implementation of the unit initiatives and activities in relation with community readiness and resilience.

9) Provide any additional technical, coordination, and managerial support to the Unit head and Director in relevant programme areas as needed and act as back-up surge as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree in business administration, public administration, international relation, law, public health or other related field.
Desirable: Post graduate studies or specialized training related to project and resource management, partnership.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of experience at national/international level in public health project management, partnership building and partner coordination including some exposure in managing resources in project implementation at national level.
Desirable: Relevant work experience on country capacity building such as planning and or partnership web-based platform for health emergencies in WHO, other UN agencies, relevant nongovernmental, health cluster partners or humanitarian organizations.

Skills

– Solid understanding of the overall intersectoral health emergencies response, readiness and preparedness including national planning, policies and priorities.

– Demonstrated knowledge of the project management, partnership building, regional and country level planning and implementation in health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations, to lead and direct multidisciplinary and multinational team.

– Knowledge in the development of learning and capacity building programmes.

– Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to convene stakeholders and facilitate a negotiation process among UN, NGOs, national health authorities, donors and non-health actors.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of another WHO language.

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 77,326 (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 5413 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 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.

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• 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 for WHO jobs.

• 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.

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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.

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