Director - Office of the Regional Director

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Office of the Regional Director (ORD) provides technical advice, analyses and monitors the progress of organizational initiatives to support the Regional Director in the efficient delivery of his/her mandate and in the provision of effective leadership and coordination of the work of WHO in the African Region. This includes partnerships and collaboration with member states, the UN system, the African Union, international organizations, Regional Economic Committees, development partners, bilateral and multilateral agencies, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. It is also responsible for coordinating the preparation of policy, technical and managerial briefs on relevant health matters to facilitate the decisions of the Regional Director and monitors compliance in the implementation of specific executive decisions and recommendations. The Office oversees the work of the Regional Office, WHO Country Offices in the AFRO region, and the work of the WHO Secretariat with the Member States, ensuring the coherence and synergies in actions of corporate services of Communications (COM), the Transformation Agenda Initiatives (TAI), and the External Relations, Partnerships and Governing Bodies (EPG).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:--> Lead and facilitate the development and implementation of the plan of work for the programmes/units under the Office of the Regional Director (ORD), promoting synergies, and coordinating and monitoring the achievement of resulting action points; --> Provide analytical, policy, managerial and strategic advice to the RD including through:o Monitoring and follow-up of the implementation of policy decisions of WHO Governing Bodies in collaboration with EPG;o review of monitoring results on the work of the Global Policy Group of WHO (GPG) impacting the strategic directions of WHO's work in the Region; o collaboration mechanisms with DPM, ARD and GMC to inform the RD's oversight of programmes and policy decisions; o developing proposals and actions responding to corporate management and operational issues of importance to the RD; --> Provide guidance to the RD on strengthening AFRO's regional positioning as a health leader through effective advocacy, communications, and partnerships strategies, in close coordination with EPG;--> Oversee the implementation of management mechanisms, including coordination and implementation of resulting decisions, processes and initiatives relevant to the Regional Director's work programme;--> Ensure the smooth and efficient coordination of the work of the Office of the Regional Director, including the RD's schedule of activities and the monitoring of the implementation of commitments and recommendations, including through the following:--> Coordinating and providing quality assurance of the content of briefs, speeches, reports, in and their timely submission for the RD's decision; --> Ensuring effective communication flow within the ORD, prioritizing, coordinating and optimizing the time of the RD;--> Ensuring that key decision-making activities, representational functions and major deliverables are planned and coordinated in a strategic manner;--> Coordinate with principal counterparts across other WHO Regional offices, statutory bodies and advisory groups for updated information;--> Mobilize organizational resources to ensure the efficient functioning of the Independent Advisory Group to the RD;--> In coordination with HRT, lead the recruitment & staffing of positions in the RDO. --> Provide leadership to and manage the staff under his/her responsibility; ensure their performance, continuous development and engagement, promoting a culture of working across clusters, and integrity in accordance with the Organization's policies, rules, procedures, and values;--> Establish work objectives for all personnel in ORD and conduct staff performance evaluations in accordance with established procedures and deadlines;--> Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced degree in Public Health or International Relations.
Desirable: -

Experience

Essential: A minimum of fifteen years' national and international experience, with at least 3 years inclusive in a senior management position at the international level, providing policy and political advice to senior managers and demonstrating engagement of strategic, international partnerships and alliances. Understanding of operational work of the broader UN System.
Desirable: -

Skills

Knowledge of the UN system at the country level, managing office performance, with demonstrated expertise in monitoring and evaluation and knowledge management systems. Ability to establish and maintain partnerships at local and international levels. In-depth knowledge of public and global health and international development issues, with the ability to quickly process and communicate about new public health information. Diplomatic skills with the ability to negotiate and engage new partnerships; Significant experience in political communication and protocol.Proven managerial and leadership skills; Excellent analytical, organizational and group facilitation skills. Ability to establish and maintain partnerships at local and international levels. Excellent writing skills in English in a variety of styles and under tight deadlines and pressure. Demonstrated networking skills, excellent interpersonal skills; Ability to multitask and prioritize competing priorities;Proven ability to plan, execute, collaborate and work independently.

WHO Competencies

Producing results
Teamwork
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Driving the Organization to a Successful Future

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Proficient knowledge of English and/or French with good working knowledge of the other.
Desirable:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 100,800 (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 5082 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.