Senior Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to work with countries and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from disease outbreaks and other health emergencies. The Programme leads and coordinates the international health response, in support of affected Member State(s), to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The WHO Health Emergencies Programme contributes to the implementation of the WHO Global Programme of Work (GPW 13) and is guided by WHO strategic priorities to “keep the world safe, improve health and serve the vulnerable”. The WHO strategic priorities drive the progress in health towards Universal Health Coverage, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and speaks particularly to SDG 3, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The Management and Operations WHE Unit supports the overall areas of administration, programme management, financing, operational planning, risk management, continuous business improvement for the programme.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Lead ongoing review of the delivery modalities for the Programme, based on a continuous business improvement approach, in order to propose improvement in the organizational structure. The incumbent act as a focal point of the Programme in functional reviews and other performance improvement initiatives. S/he work also closely with centralized services in Major Offices to develop, maintain and assess KPIs on emergency administrative services. Lead the development and implementation of initiatives related to WHO Country Office readiness for emergencies, including working closely with other relevant Divisions for aspects of business continuity and contingency planning. Design, implement, and evaluate strategies to improve WHE ability to carry-out its mission, in close coordination with various technical departments across the Organization. Manage the grant management function within the Programme, in collaboration with programme management staff at HQ. Oversee the review, update and implementation of the WHE Country Business Model, in collaboration with technical Departments at HQ and Major Offices. Act as an emergency focal point for the Framework of Engagement with non-State Actors, including in the review of proposed engagements. Provide senior-level advice and guidance on the development of WHE policy and position statements and papers as necessary. Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An Advanced level university degree from an accredited educational institution in business, management, public health administration, or related field relevant to the functions of the position.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience, some of which in an international level, related to the function with specific expertise in business operations in health emergencies or related area.

• At least 5 years' experience in grant management.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with the United Nations system and practices.

• Experience working for a UN agency

Skills

High level skills in:

• Strong knowledge of and skills in the field of emergency preparedness and response.

• Expertise in health security and pandemic preparedness Quality and impactful oral and written communication.

• Negotiation with high-level governmental and nongovernmental partners.

• Effective working relations with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.

• Integrity, tact, discretion, initiative, resilience, and service mindedness.

• Strong analytic capacity.

• Thorough understanding of public health, international development issues.

• A solid understanding of international political context and WHO's strategic place.

• Strong skills in diplomacy and political acumen.

• Ability to find solutions and get results.

• Knowledge of the WHO mandate and goals.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Driving the Organization to a Successful Future

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French.

• Intermediate knowledge of WHO 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 89,837 (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 6423 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• 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.