External Relations Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Within the Division of External Relations and Governance, the Department of Governing Bodies ensures the efficient preparation and effective conduct of the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board, and of committees or other intergovernmental processes established by them.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Head of the Governance Unit, specific activities will include:

1. Liaising with the Permanent Mission focal points, following up on their requests for information and support in relation to the Executive Board, the WHA and other intergovernmental meetings.

2. Work as part of the governing bodies team in the run-up to and during the intergovernmental processes and all governing bodies related activities. Duties will include, as needed, tracking commitments made during governing body meetings, maintaining an inventory of governing body mandates, preparing agendas, attending coordination meetings, supporting physical and virtual consultations, drafting notes for the Chair and preparing notes for the record.

3. Tracking the submission of draft resolutions to the Executive Board and the World Health Assembly. Support efforts to ensure they are submitted correctly and processed in a timely way. This will require liaison with Member States and follow-up with the Reports Office (shortly before and) in-session, and with the DOX team as and when required.

4. Supporting the general planning for the WHA.

5. Supporting the development of guides, presentations and training materials for governing body meetings.

6. Providing support in advance of and during the EBPBAC, as needed.

7. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in international relations, political or social science or related fields.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in an international environment or in a relevant area in the public sector, with knowledge of and experience with the United Nations system. Previous working experience in meetings of governing bodies, their organization and conduct
Desirable: Familiarity with WHO and its policies and practices an advantage.

Skills

Comprehensive knowledge of organizational policies and practices, meetings management and documentation. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Exercise sound and considered judgment on policy considerations, in particular to evaluate risks to WHO's good standing, to protect WHO's interests, and to minimize errors with potentially high costs in political and financial terms. Strong tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with sensitive issues in a multicultural environment. Ability to maintain harmonious relations inside and outside of WHO.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

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

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 60,962 (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 4511 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.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.