National Professional Officer (Emergency Prep & Operations)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Division of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain all hazard emergencies, as described under the IHR (2005) and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) Programme Area is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of countries’ preparedness for health and humanitarian emergencies, the planning of country capacity building priorities. CPI is also the Secretariat of the International Health Regulations (2005). In addition, in supporting the development of national action plans, CPI aims to establish strategic partnership and alignment with global and regional actors to ensure alignment with Member State priorities.The projects/area of work include “EU for Enabling a More Responsive Healthcare System that started on 6 February 2023 for a total duration of 48 months. Other areas include “One Health” and “Migration and Health“.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Head of WHO Country Office and the guidance of the Programme Area Manager (Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR), the incumbent will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

1. Supporting the management of the project through the following activities:

• Plan activities by developing and updating detailed activity work plans, including procurement, resource, travel plans etc., ensuring adherence to timelines.

• Coordinate the project implementation, establishing and maintaining a coherent overview of deliverables, including oversight on timeline, resources and budget.

• Support team’s work, ensuring effective engagement and collaboration, information flow, and synchronization of deliverables. Facilitate team’s relations with national stakeholders.

• Manage consultants and suppliers including: drafting Terms of Reference and scope of services; facilitate and evaluate bidding processes; oversee/monitor contractor performance; track contracts and payments and monitor expenditures.

• Organize meetings, workshops and events as required as part of project activities.

• Oversee the overall project budget implementation together with focal points.

2. Coordination with external stakeholders.

• Liaise with national and local authorities and provide them continued support on project implementation.

• Liaise with partners, including UN agencies and NGOs, to ensure collaboration as needed.

3. Monitoring project progress and risks, ensuring that changes are controlled, and problems addressed; and reporting on progress, including measures to address challenges and opportunities.

• Analyze potential risks and propose mitigation measures accordingly, including solving blockages and delays that threatened the project timetable.

• As per the donor and project requirements, and as defined in the Memorandum of Understanding between Contracting Authority (UNDP) and WHO, prepare project reports (narrative and financial) with the support of the project team, ensuring that: any proposed changes to be submitted to the donor are discussed and agreed within the project team; reports are submitted to internal clearance to supervisors; the reporting process to the Contracting authority is well-organized and timely: reports meet the standards of reporting.

4. In cooperation with the Communication Officer support project visibility:

• Coordinate implementation of the visibility plan developed by the Communication Officer.

• Ensure visibility plans, activities, products and branding are in line with donor’s requirement.

• Organize events and promotion activities as set time.

5. To perform duties under One Health and Migration and Health:

• Liaise with national counterparts, academia and international organizations involved in these areas to facilitate information gathering, analyses and monitoring data for further planning purposes.

• Assess health needs, assist in defining priorities and in preparation of action response plans.

• Participate in the work of the national coordination mechanism.

• Oversee the organization of WHO missions from a technical perspective and serve as a resource person to WHO technical staff and consultants.

• Support the development of project proposals with the aim of increasing funding for activities related to these areas.

6. Perform other duties as assigned by WR.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Bachelor level university degree in social sciences, public health, behavioural sciences, development sciences, communications, or related fields from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Master level in any of the above. Training in project management, public health, Emergency Preparedness and Health Systems health education, health communication, or health promotion.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of experience in managing projects in support to the health system and public health services in the Republic of Serbia including the development of national policies and capacity building. Demonstrated experience in managing teams and complex projects/processes.
Desirable: Prior working experience with WHO, the UN, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or other international organizations, including at country level. Experiences in working for/with health authorities/partners. Experience working in disease outbreaks or health emergencies.

Skills

• Analytical and strategic thinking, results orientation.
• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of the programme, managing data, reporting.
• Ability to conduct monitoring of projects.
• Ability to implement business processes.
• Excellent supervisory, management and team-building skills; ability to affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership building at national, regional and local level.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Effective negotiation, facilitation and consensus-building skills.
• Ability to work under pressure while producing results.
• Tact, discretion and diplomacy.
• Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency preparedness context.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Promoting innovation and organizational learning

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Serbian.
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at EUR 53,521 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• 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.

• 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.

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

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

• 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.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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