Pan European Leadership Academy (ELA) - Junior Professional Programme

(For the Russian version of below vacancy notice, please visit this page: Russian version)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Pan-European Learning Academy (ELA) is one of the key initiatives of the European Programme of Work (EPW), which sets out three core priorities to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages: (1) moving towards universal health coverage; (2) promoting health and well-being; (3) protecting against health emergencies.

The overall objectives of the ELA are to:
1. Strengthen human resources for health in the European Region through the provision of opportunities for learning and professional development within WHO/Europe in relation to the three core priorities and four flagship initiatives of the EPW.
2. Create a network of trained health professionals to support and advance the EPW through strengthened health systems in the Region.
3. Enhance knowledge and insight into health systems challenges and operations at country level within WHO/Europe.
Finally, in support of global organizational indicators, a fourth objective is to assist in addressing the issue of under-representation of some European Member States in international governmental organizations.

ASSIGNMENT SUMMARY

The junior professional programme has a capacity-building focus that offers opportunities for young professionals from parts of the European region that may require extensive capacity building and an enhanced understanding of public health, with an emphasis on building participatory leadership capacities.
The curriculum comprises a blend of placements within the regional office and outposted offices as appropriate for a well-rounded exposure to the Organization. Learning objectives and outcomes will be agreed jointly with each participant. Placement will depend on the match between the candidate and the technical area of work. Internal and external training courses and learning opportunities will be identified through the agreement of participants’ learning objectives and outcomes. Participants can avail of career coaching throughout the tenure as well as having access to a “buddy” who will guide the participant as needed during the placement.

There shall be no expectation of employment with WHO at the end of the placement.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Priority shall be given to nationals from countries of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; Western Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia (including Kosovo), and the Russian Federation. Applicants must be less 35 years of age at the time of application.

Education

Essential: A university degree equivalent to a Master's degree in health-related sciences, preferably in public health.

Experience:

Minimum two year’s work experience at a national health agency or health institute and a maximum of five years' work experience overall.

Please note that for participants of the ELA Junior Professional Programme two years of work experience are mandatory. In order to assess the eligibility of the candidates, we review the relevant experience acquired after obtaining the first university degree (usually bachelor’s degree).

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
• Successfully interacts with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs and has willingness to understand and be tolerant of different opinions and views.
• Ability to communicate and engage with experts and stakeholders from different fields, including policy-makers, researchers and the civil society.
• Adapts readily and efficiently to changing priorities and demands.
• Knowledge of standard text, spreadsheet and presentation software applications required

WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment

Languages

English – working knowledge

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
· Participants will receive a monthly stipend of $ USD 4,000 for the duration of their placement. In addition, candidates will receive health insurance coverage and placement related travel costs.
· Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
· Please note that you will not be allowed to work for WHO under any type of contractual arrangement for two years following this placement.
· A pre-recorded video presentation will be used as a form of initial screening. Those candidates successful in the presentation task will be invited for a final interview.
· If 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 the placement. 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.
· WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
· Please note that payment of any taxes shall be the sole responsibility of the selected candidate. WHO will not reimburse any taxes which he/she may be required to pay.
· Provided that the selected candidate has obtained a medical certificate for fitness of duty, he/she will be covered by WHO accident and emergency insurance policy. The candidate will be required to obtain and maintain coverage under his/her national, institutional or private health insurance scheme, or from the insurance provider proposed by WHO that is valid in all locations in which he/she shall undertake the assignment on behalf of WHO.
· The candidate should not have any close relative (mother, father, siblings, spouse) working as staff in WHO