Young Professionals Programme - Technical Officer (Delivery for Impact)

The Young Professionals Programme

WHO Headquarters offers opportunities for young professionals from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to engage in WHO’s work and build skills and competence in key public health areas. This is a structured programme which incorporates additional exposure and experience at country level and career support.

Young Professionals will be assigned to regular WHO positions and will be fully immersed in WHO’s technical work. Young Professionals will benefit from career support, networking, mentoring and tailored learning opportunities throughout this period to support them in achieving their personal career goals. To enhance their knowledge and widen their professional network, the YPP may be posted in a different WHO office on short term learning assignments.

Eligibility criteria

The following eligibility criteria in addition to the minimum requirements of the position will be used to shortlist candidates:

• To be no older than 35 years on 31 December of the year of application.
• To be a national of a country eligible for the Programme: List of Eligible Countries.
• To hold a relevant university degree obtained in your home country or other eligible country.

Exceptions will be considered where no institute of higher education exists offering the degrees required for eligibility to this Programme as per the World Higher Education Database.

We invite eligible candidates to register for our virtual Young Professionals Programme event taking place mid-November 2021. More information is available at: https://www.impactpool.org/campaigns/who_young_professionals_programme_campaign

Purpose of the Position

The purpose of the position is to support the multidisciplinary programme area of work within the Department of Delivery for Impact bringing cohesion to the Organization's global health policies and organizational needs across the three levels of the Organization. The incumbent will support the team lead for the triple billion targets and perform the specific duties outlined below.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

The Department of Delivery for Impact is located within the Division for Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact (DDI) provides a strategic vision to empower countries and to catalyze change so that data and health information are used systematically and effectively to set measurable goals, drive continuous health improvement and impact policy and programme change. The Department of Delivery for Impact aims to bring a systematic, integrated and sustained focus on the achievement of the Triple Billion targets. It will drive the achievement of the Triple Billion targets through tracking, problem-solving, learning and capacity building. Tracking includes securing agreements to targets and trajectories for each of the billion targets. The Department will facilitate stock-takes, chaired by DG /DDG, that provide countries, Regional Directors, Assistant Director Generals (ADGs), and others responsible for implementation with a platform for reviewing progress against the trajectories. Problem-solving includes providing mechanisms for countries, regions and programmes to be held to account and to escalate, discuss and address implementation issues together.

Organizational context

Reporting to and under the general guidance of the Unit Head, s/he will support the stock-takes, identify the bottlenecks and engage in problem solving to deliver the triple billion targets.

Summary of Assigned Duties

• Provide project assistance to support the evolution of the Triple Billion Impact team.
• Contribute meaningfully to guidance on documentation related to delivering the impact of the WHO 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13), specifically that of the triple billion targets.
• Advance the drafting of methodologies for stocktaking of baselines and progress towards the triple billion targets.
• Support the data and analytics related to the Triple Billion targets.
• Collaborate with colleagues in HQ and in Regional Offices to support and promote a joint approach to tracking implementation.
• Facilitate regular progress reports as part of the team.
• Assist in the work carried out to increase visibility of the department and sharing of information.
• Contribute to specific projects launched within the Department.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Setting an example

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to think strategically; to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in teams.
• A strong commitment to international public health; an interest in adapting to varied physical and professional environments; and a desire to work with people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.
• Proven skills in managing projects that involve programme implementation.
• Strong quantitative data analytic skills.
• Ability to work in a flexible manner under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner.
• Clear understanding of implementation methods and implementation science where applicable.

Education Qualifications

Essential

An advanced university degree in management, development studies, epidemiology, public health, statistics or related field. A university degree in a relevant subject must have been obtained in your home country or other eligible country.

Desirable

Training in analyzing large data sets especially from low and middle-income countries.

Experience

Essential

At least two years hands-on experience in managing projects and implementation, experience in writing technical reports and papers and demonstrated experience in quantitative analysis of large datasets; experience in participating in workshop development and implementation.

Desirable

Work and training experience in low or middle income countries; familiarity with WHO policies, strategies and activities related to programme implementation in countries.

Use of Language Skills

Essential

Intermediate knowledge of English.

Desirable

Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.

Other Skills

Use of a statistical analysis package (for example, R or Stata), strong skills in Microsoft Excel and excellent skills in presentation of results.

Additional Information

Candidates may apply to one or more vacancies advertised under the YPP; candidates should ensure they meet the vacancy and programme eligibility criteria.

The selection process may include asynchronous video assessment, technical evaluation and interview.

If your candidature is retained for 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.

Should you have any questions, please check our FAQs available at https://www.who.int/careers. If your question is not listed, please contact us at YPP@who.int.

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.

Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.