WHO JPO - Technical Officer, Inter-agency coordination

Programme/Department

 

WHE/WRE/ADGO (WHO Emergency Programme / Division of Emergency Response / Assistant Director-General (Emergency Response) Office)

 

Supervisor: Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Assistant Director-General (Emergency Response)

 

Objective of the WHO Programme/Department

 

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) 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 Division of Emergency Response (WRE) is responsible for ensuring that emergency-affected populations have access to timely and effective health services. This includes ensuring a strong emergency management system (based on incident management), effective and inclusive coordination mechanisms, joint assessments and planning by partners, implementation of operations and services according to agreed standards, and strong logistics and operational support. The expansion and strengthening of operational partnerships are a key priority. WRE also leads on interagency coordination for strategic, operational, and policy perspectives, including for representation in key interagency bodies.

 

Learning objectives of the JPO during this assignment

 

• Understand the mandate, functioning and scope of the WHO Emergencies Programme (WHE) at the three levels (includes: on the job training, on-line WHO Incident Management System training, WHO Induction training, online training modules as available on WHO’s i-learn platform)
• Build and sharpen oral and written communication skills as well as analytical skills (includes: on the job training, on-line training opportunities; Ongoing activity; Online training at the discretion of the JPO and on a needs basis)
• Gain expert knowledge in the functioning of the UN system in the context of the UN development system reforms and the UN peace and security reforms (includes: on the job training; coaching and mentoring by supervisor and advice by other WHO and UN colleagues involved in UN reforms management; taking part under supervisor’s delegated authority and as WHO delegate in formal UN reforms-related coordination bodies; participation in formal UN trainings related to UN reforms; field missions to support WHO country teams in managing processes related to UN reforms; online training course available through WHO’s i-learn program; H.E.L.P. course (Health Emergencies in Large Populations) training course organized in Geneva by the ICRC, WHO and the University of Geneva  
• Gain expert knowledge in the functioning of the IASC system (includes: on the job training; coaching and mentoring by supervisor; taking part under supervisor’s delegated authority and as WHO delegate in formal IASC coordination bodies; participation in a formal IASC training on the new Humanitarian Programme Cycle; training courses on conflict sensitivity analysis related to Health and Peace programs; formal training in year 2 - Online training courses by IASC; conflict sensitivity analysis organized by WHO and the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) )
• Build strong collaborative professional relationships and networks, inside of WHO but also throughout the UN system, in the Red Cross Movement, and with International NGOs. Maximize through these extensive networks employment prospects in WHO and/or in the larger UN system at the end of the assignment (includes: on the job training; Mentoring, introductions, recommendations by supervisor; participation in formal UN and IASC trainings related to inter-agency cooperation management)

 

Assignment Summary:

Under the supervision of the Senior Policy Adviser (Interagency Policy Emergencies) in the Office of the Assistant Director-General, Emergency Response and working in close cooperation with technical staff in WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) supports the work of various activities related to health in inter-agency work.  This will include attending meetings and documenting the proceedings of the Inter Agency Standing Committee and its subsidiary bodies; following global policy developments in relation to humanitarian programs and making suggestions on how to integrate these policies into WHO’s work; following various policy files related to humanitarian work as well as global disease outbreaks; following issues related to the WHO Health and Peace Initiative. The JPO will be expected to contribute to maintaining relationships with multiple counterparts in other organizations and contribute to coordinating policy issues with other agencies.

 

• Be responsible for weekly updates of inter-agency events for WHO HQ, including but not limited to:
  • following announcements of interagency events, meetings, subsidiary group activities;researching and drafting briefing notes and other support materials concerning inter-agency events; 
  • after clearance, disseminating internal communication materials on inter-agency developments of strategic and operational interest; 
  • assist in drafting the bi-annual inter-agency updates for WHO Regional and Country Offices; and replacing and backstopping as inter-agency focal point for WHE when necessary.
• As directed, follow-up on the proceedings, activities, outputs and outcomes of various Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Task teams, working groups and reference groups and subsidiary bodies, and/or various UN working groups involved in humanitarian actions to further WHO/WHE participation in and contribution to strategic, operational, normative and policy discussion, and providing assistance to the designated officer where WHO holds the (co)chairmanship. 
• Assist in coordinating WHO’s activities with NGOs, the Red Cross movement, and NGO coordination bodies (like ICVA, SCHR, InterAction).
• Proactively participate in the preparation and organization of global meetings, consultations and negotiations, and in the management of WHO network of Collaborative Centres in the area of emergency management.
• Follow developments on the Health and Peace initiative and assist in promoting this file when required.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for team members.

• Minimum: Organizational skills with the ability to work in a proactive manner, multi-task and produce results under pressure. Excellent interpersonal skills with political awareness, diplomacy, tact and courtesy. Good verbal and written communication skills. Excellent knowledge of oral and written English is required.
• Desirable: Ability to draft and summarize technical information in a clear and concise manner. 

Education:

Work experience:

Language requirements:

Nationality: 

Age of applicant:

Documents:

Applicants should submit the documents (in English). 

All applicants can apply for a maximum of two JPO positions sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea during the year of application.

 

For more details about the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit: https://www.jposc.undp.org/

 

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