External Relations Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.The External Relations Unit of the Health Emergencies Programme is responsible for providing accurate and timely health emergency communications and sustainable financing. This includes developing donor appeals and engaging with donors to ensure adequate and timely financing for core functions and in response to emergencies, while ensuring that reporting requirements are met; implementing the strategy on WHO communications for emergencies to engage with key audiences; and implementing advocacy strategies and plans.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Lead and manage the External Relations Unit ensuring coordination and oversight of the work programme, promoting an environment of professional inquisitiveness, anticipating new challenges, seeking solutions and evaluating their effectiveness, demonstrating to stakeholders and collaborators a commitment to excellence.2. Provide coordination, motivation, guidance, management and performance evaluation of staff in External Relations Units three teams\: Advocacy, Communications and Resource Mobilization. 3. Build and facilitate networks that support the Programme's outbreak and emergencies work in advocacy, communications and resource mobilization, in collaboration with WHE External Relations, and the central Offices of Communication and Resource Mobilization.4. Support the development and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy at the regional level and for emergency operations.5. Foster a coordinated, coherent approach to finding sustainable sources of funding, including core funds, funds for emergency response and the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies.6. Consult with Member States, state and non-state donors and other contributors at the regional and country level to (i) review current biennium (and beyond) financing and understand their assessment of opportunities and risks, (ii) facilitate engagement in defining the future resource mobilization approach to the Programme and (iii) map the Programme's resource mobilization capacity; and (iv) guide and monitor the development of resource mobilization plans for the Programme's core work and specific responses.7. Has overall responsibility for the External Relations Unit's activities as well as budgetary and human resources-related issues. 8. Reviews and approves evaluation reports on the effectiveness of advocacy, communications products and resources mobilization activities produced by the team.9. Represent the Programme and, as required, the RED of the Programme inside and outside WHO.10. Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university (Masters level or above) degree in communications, international relations or a related field.
Desirable\: Additional degree or training in public health, risk communications, advocacy or resource mobilization.

Experience

Essential\: At least 10 years of proven experience in the leadership and management of external relations and/or diplomacy functions, including at least 5 years of management experience in recognized leadership positions with direct responsibility for managing both human and financial resources.Demonstrated experience in coordinating large scale projects with high political impact.
Desirable\: Relevant work experience in WHO or UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.Field experience in public health programmes or emergency response programmes

Skills

Demonstrated exceptional leadership and team management skills in international and multi-cultural settings, including the proven capacity to lead and deliver on deadlines during periods of intense stress and activity; demonstrated ability to provide independent leadership in such periods with capacity to organize, monitor and synthesize information quickly and concisely.Proven ability to successfully coordinate, manage and lead projects, and build partnerships, across agencies and organizational departments in the context of public health and/or emergency programmes.Proven ability to successfully interact and negotiate with senior national and international authorities on the implementation of health emergencies strategies and programmes.Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with solid writing and editing experience.Critical strategic thinking, with the ability to quickly comprehend strategic and tactical objectives and to formulate comprehensive plans to address challenges/risks.

WHO Competencies

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Promoting innovation and organizational learning
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English or French
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of English or French or Portuguese

 

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 84,721 (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 3565 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.

• 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.