Planning Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To provide support to the African Region in the conceptualisation, development, implementation and reporting of result-based and integrated programme management systems. The PBM Unit leads the regional process for the development of the programme budget and associated work plans; guides and supports all offices in efficient activity and budget implementation; facilitates the Programme Budget allocations; supports performance monitoring and assessment within WHO global review processes; and leads or contributes to programmatic and thematic evaluations at the regional, inter-country and country level.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

--> Lead the process of strategic and operational planning throughout the Region; support the Regional Office, Country Offices and ISTs in the development of their strategic and operational plans, including linkages and integration of established organizational priorities, such as from the Country Cooperation Strategies (CCS) and the Transformational Agenda for the Africa Region;--> Guide AFRO staff on the procedures, terminology, and reporting requirements for this process. Prepare and/or adapt guidelines, materials and tools needed to support the strategic and operational planning processes of the results-based system for programme planning, monitoring and evaluation;--> Develop training and communication strategies and mechanisms; provide teaching/training throughout the Region on understanding and applying strategic and operational planning guidelines and tools,--> Lead the strategic and operational planning team to provide solid, effective planning guidance and services which enable successful programme implementation. This role includes recruitment and placement of staff within the team, distribution of responsibilities, mentoring and capacity building and performance management;--> Validate alignment of operational plans from budget centres with the Programme Budget, Transformation Agenda, Country Cooperation Strategy, and other regional orientations; guide budget centres with necessary changes to ensure alignment; Verify and control compliance of work plans with operational planning, costing and budgeting guidance; --> Monitor the completeness and quality of products and activities in work plans; --> Provide technical support to Budget Centres for the follow-up of the implementation of workplans on the basis of evidence related to progress made on the status of planned results;--> Lead, guide and support a network of planning, monitoring and evaluation focal points in budget centres;--> Draft the PBM Unit work plan, in consultation with Unit colleagues, ensuring the alignment of the work plan with the Programme Budget and regional orientations; Manage and revise the PBM work plans and HR plan, as guided by the Coordinator, PBM.--> Contribute to the performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the implementation of programme budget and operational plans in the Region;--> Support the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) function in collaboration with the Country and Inter-country Support Unit (CIS); and--> Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university degree or equivalent in public health from a recognized university.
Desirable\: Specialized training in planning, results-based management and/or project management. Knowledge of WHO Planning, Budgeting, and Monitoring and Evaluation framework. Degree in medicine or other health sciences from a recognized university.

Experience

Essential\: At least seven (7) years of experience in programme development, planning, monitoring and evaluation in the public health sector; at least five (5) of which are in an international organization.
Desirable\: Working experience with WHO or similar UN Agency in planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Skills

Good management, leadership, communications and interpersonal skills. Sound knowledge of management principles, practices and techniques of programme management including strategic and operational planning, and programme assessment. Excellent analytical and writing skills; ability to conceptualize and think in abstract terms. Ability to prioritize competing demands. Able to work in an international and multicultural environment with staff at various levels.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Excellent knowledge of English, with a  good working knowledge of French.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese.
The above language requirements are interchangeable

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 72,637 (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 3226 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.

• 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.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

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

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.