Deputy head of WHO office

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recruitment might be filled by using the Fast Track Process.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To ensure that effective WHO country presence is established to implement WHO country cooperation strategies that are aligned with Member State's health and development agendas, and harmonized with the United Nations country teams.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.
● Supports the head of the WHO country office in providing expert, strategic, technical and programmatic advice and guidance to Member States in their delivery and implementation of national public health policy, strategy and plans.
● Provides authoritative advice to the head of the WHO country office, proposes and develops national, technical public health strategies, policies and programmes for implementation through collaboration with national authorities, public health partners and stakeholders at the country level.
● Recommends health-development initiatives in the areas of health systems’ planning, management and strengthening, and partnership building at country level.
● Leads the country office’s technical and capacity-building work including in the area of public health systems and programmes, ensuring their implementation in line with national strategies and results.
● Provides technical support to the head of the WHO country office and partners in delivering sustainable measures following an emergency, situations of chronic or acute crisis, or in early recovery and transition.
● Provides oversight on, ensuring the development and submission of monitoring and reporting on technical public health initiatives at country level.
● Deputizes for and represents the head of the WHO office at official meetings with the government, national counterparts, donors, UN agencies and other stakeholders.
● Manages the overall compliance and performance management standards of the country office including defining work planning parameters to establish performance standards, accountability, and indicators for progress monitoring and reporting.
● Ensures internal controls are in place and adhered to, in order to ensure due diligence and mitigate financial risk to the organization at country level.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential
Advanced university degree (master’s level) in epidemiology, public health, medical or other studies in a field directly related to the position.
Desirable
PhD in public health, management, social science or related field, with specialized training in epidemiology, health management, or public administration.

EXPERIENCE

Essential
A minimum of 15 years of work experience relevant for the position (developing and managing technical public health programmes) a significant part of which to have been obtained at an international level.
Desirable
Demonstrated results in managing diverse teams and financial resources at international level.

Skills

Technical expertise in public health programming issues.
● Strong skills in programme and financial management as well as administration of complex
health programmes and services at the international and country level.
● Extensive skills in leadership and managing large diverse teams and financial resources.
● Concrete skills in conceptualizing and coordinating the development of strategies and public
health policies.
● Ability to promote consensus, lead negotiations, network and build partnerships in global
development cooperation settings.
● Extensive knowledge in WHO or other UN agencies’ governing mechanisms and procedures in
planning and programme management.
● Ability to manage and adapt to complex and changing political, social, and economic contexts
● Strong skills in diplomacy and political acumen.
● Broader understanding of global health and international commitments

WHO Competencies

1) Teamwork
2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3) Communication
4) Promoting the Organization's position in health leadership
5) Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and
beyond
6) Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English Language.
Desirable: Beginners knowledge of other UN 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 106,023 (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. 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event 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 E-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 workforce . 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
• 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 .
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