Technical Officer (Country Support and Coordination)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objectives of Country Support and Coordination are to: promote and contribute to the organization-wide efforts to strengthen WHO's country focus for greater impact of its technical cooperation at country level; implement WHO's country focus policy, articulating national, regional and global policy and planning frameworks and processes to enhance WHO's contribution to national health outcomes, and ultimately people's health and development within countries; ensure the development, use and monitoring of high quality Country Cooperation Strategies (CCS) and work plans that address national health development priorities and contribute to the regional and global mandates and agreements to which countries have committed. facilitate collaboration between WHO Country Offices (WCOs), departments in the Regional Office and HQ Country Cooperation and Collaboration with UN System (CCU) unit to support the work of country offices in responding to country needs and priorities for technical cooperation.Promote and facilitate technical cooperation among countries, including identification and sharing of lessons and best practices. support and contribute to the effective functioning of the Global Country Support Unit network, and coordinate across three levels of the organization to provide input and advice to relevant global processes (e.g. CCS guidelines development, country presence evaluation, country support, WHO and UN reforms, etc.).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the Regional Director and direct supervision of the Executive Officer-RD, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to:

1. Develop and update concepts, strategies and guidelines for implementing country-focus policy and improving WHO's performance in country technical cooperation;

2. Provide technical guidance in the development and renewal of country cooperation strategies (CCS) through participatory, multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approach, based on national health strategies or plans, regional strategies and WHO's General Programme of Work (GPW);

3. Analyze, monitor and evaluate country presence by reviewing program planning and implementation and overall functioning of the WCO from a political, technical, and managerial perspective, and make recommendations for the efficient and effective execution of country technical cooperation;

4. Monitor trends in the regional and national political and socioeconomic environments to determine implications for technical cooperation in health;

5. Ensure systematic collection, analysis and the dissemination of information and intelligence on country presence for sharing best practices and lessons learned to improve the performance of the secretariat;

6. Prepare reports and briefings for senior management and Governing Bodies on WHO's country presence and ensure follow-up actions to Regional Director's visits to Member States;

7. Coordinate the WCO performance reviews, including internal technical review and assessment process and missions. This includes developing the detailed methodology for the reviews, coordinating the team, collaborating with UN partners and stakeholders as required and conducting the review including follow-up on there recommendations;

8. Support and participate in activities to develop corresponding country capacity for coordinating international cooperation in health and resource mobilization; in this respect, liaise and collaborate with corresponding departments and units in the Regional Office;

9. Represent the Organization in interagency, international and national meetings, as appropriate, providing the recognized authoritative advice to external partners and Member States on WHO's country focus policy and strategies that expand the organization's opportunities to better support the country needs and demand;

10. Coordinate with global Country Cooperation and Collaboration with United Nations System (CCU) network to facilitate overall support for WCOs; and

11. Perform any other duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in medical, social or developmental studies.
Desirable: Post graduate degree in public health, development and management.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of relevant experience, some of which should have been obtained in an international context, in positions in public health, international health or international development cooperation, global health governance or country cooperation.
Desirable: Some experience working in health development and health management issues in national and international contexts. Experience working at country, regional and global levels in WHO will be an asset.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to forge and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders involved in country cooperation at national, regional, and global level.
• Skills to organize and manage health data for analysis, and a capacity to dialogue and negotiate with other parties.
• Broad knowledge of the dominant issues in the field of international public health both past and current, which could include policy development, planning and programme management at a global, regional, or country level.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset.

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 89,837 (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 2762 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 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.

• 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.