External Relations Officer

Less than 60 days contract:

Objectives of the Programme:

The Department of Coordinated Resource Mobilization leads a globally coordinated resource mobilization network to foster strategic, consistent and coordinated resource mobilization sufficient to support WHO's General Programme of work and its Programme Budget. In so doing it promotes the principles of I)alignment of funding to WHO's Programme Budget, ii) predictability and flexibility of funding, iii) reducing the financial vulnerability of WHO through expansion of the donor base and continued enhancement of the transparency and reporting of WHO's funding and associated outcomes.

Organizational context:

The incumbent reports to the Unit Head Partner Engagement CRM with second level supervision by the Director of the Department. Internally, the role requires working in coordination with counterparts in HQ technical units, regional and country office counterparts and other key stakeholders. Externally, the incumbent is expected to develop close working relationships with counterparts in the Member States, both locally through the Geneva missions or in the field as required, and in capitals. The incumbent will be expected to develop and deliver strategic approaches to relationships with assigned partners and provides recommendations on new funding opportunities and approaches to take these forward. The incumbent is expected to welcome opportunities to support multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting approaches and to facilitate participation in such approaches.

Summary of Assigned Duties :

1. Conduct donor analysis in terms of political analysis and funding to include assessing the context:

• Donor history, likely future directions of the relationship with WHO.
• Potential resource mobilization opportunities, pain points and remedies for application towards a strategic plan.
• Develop a partnership engagement plan for rapid scale-up for each contributor in the portfolio to include a set of strategic objectives for the development of the relationship.
• Following this, develop an action plan set to time with deliverables to achieve the financial and qualitative targets agreed. Thereafter implement the plan.
• Convene contributor relationship management teams internally within WHO and externally for the implementation of the engagement plan.

2. Externally, meet with the partner representatives as required for the Sensitivity:

• Coordination of engagement strategies and undertaking regular visits to donor capitals as required to develop/validate findings and reach out to new potential partners.
• Engage the relationship lines between WHO and the contributor to build up a clear and integrated picture of the organization's engagement overall.
• Provide support to senior management, technical clusters and regional offices in their engagements on behalf of WHO including travel, meeting preparation etc.

3. Ensure sound process management of the following, fully in line with established procedures:

• The clearance process for agreements and correspondence, corporate proposal development, corporate reporting collated for submission as required against agreements, sound management of awards, development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures and rules relating to resource mobilization.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position:

• Strong skills in the area of external relations, resource mobilization and grant management;
• Excellent skills in negotiation with governmental and non-governmental partners.
• A sound level of judgement, responsibility and initiative.
• Ability to identify and act on opportunities in a complex and competitive resource environment.
• Adaptable and able to work effectively with fundraising systems and donor organizations at all levels of complexity and communicate credibly with departments inside WHO.
• Knowledge of the public health sector and issues.
• Ability to manage external and internal political complexity.
• Good understanding of current development trends and priorities. Ability to maintain perspective under pressure.

Education Qualifications

Essential: An advanced university degree in international or public relations, business administration, communications, social sciences, law or related field relevant to the position.

Experience Essential: At least seven years' combined national and international experience in resource mobilization and/or external relations, including at least five years' resource mobilization experience, two of which should be with the United Nations System or NGO context. Considerable experience in writing and editing, particularly in the context of donor reporting/relations and in developing messaging for advocacy purposes. Considerable experience working with and/or influencing funding systems, donor organizations and decision-makers. Experience in grant management and administration processes.

Language Skills: Expert English required.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

Another 60 days contract may be offered subject to funding, the continued need of the functions and performance.