Technical Officer (Partnerships)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (EPP) advances global efforts to prevent and control existing and emerging infectious diseases by increasing access to evidence-based interventions; fostering impactful innovation; and leveraging technical, operational and strategic partnerships. In addition, EPP develops global mechanisms to facilitate coordination and collaboration between countries and multi-sectoral partners for catastrophic events of natural, accidental or deliberate origin. The department is committed to delivering WHO's General Programme of Work 13 (GPW 13) Outcome 2.2 Epidemics and pandemics prevented, through: Delivering risk assessment, technical guidance, interventions and control strategies for country impact. Promoting innovation and adoption of new technologies. Aligning and coordinating international action through trusted partnership. Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to life-saving interventions and supplies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization established several large global networks across a diversity of sectors, including religious leaders and faith-based organizations; employers and workers; and young people. The WHO Information Network for Epidemics (EPI-WIN) as the networks are collectively named serve to ensure that individuals and organizations everywhere have timely access to the right information in order to make decisions to protect their health and the health of their communities during high impact public health events. To do this, EPI-WIN establishes trusted relationships with community leaders and decision-makers and then convenes, shares information, facilitates collaboration, listens to feedback and co-develops guidance. To support and further this work, WHO has created the HIVE, community centered health information platform for decision-makers to find trustworthy health information, be alerted to health events, collaborate, and share best practice before, during and after health emergencies. The HIVE aims to provide access to trusted health information; promote knowledge sharing and collaboration; and foster communities of practice. The HIVE will continue to evolve in preparation for ongoing community engagement prior to and in advance of high impact events such as epidemics and pandemics. The Hive project team will seek to improve the ways of working of the communities on HIVE and bring in the latest information technology advancements including data analytics and machine learning; social digital listening technologies and innovative tools for collaboration. The next step is to use a structured set of questions to evaluate the benefits and opportunities of a 'powered by the community' approach, the findings of which will be used to guide future developments of the platform.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. HIVE Platform Development:

• Lead the development of the HIVE platform and enable networks and communities to access trustworthy information; promote knowledge sharing and collaboration; and foster communities of practice.
• Develop and implement an online engagement strategy for networks and community managers on WHO Hive.
• Provide oversights on the HIVE Global Platform Development Project.

2. HIVE Strategy Development:

• Develop thought leadership and perspectives on community centered health information platforms, coordinating with subject matter experts and key functional partners across the public health field.
• Apply knowledge of business principles, develop actionable recommendations, strategic due diligence, health information platform development roadmap, and evaluate long-term opportunities.
• Create a program and product delivery strategy that aligns with market opportunities and the health information platform development roadmap.
• Develop a stakeholder relationship/communications plan for the HIVE project and each significant workstream to ensure good working relationships and satisfaction.

3. HIVE Partnerships:

• Identify and build relationships with stakeholders to promote the HIVE and identify new opportunities for collaborations and partnerships.
• Ensure partnerships are in line with WHO's Framework for Engagement with Non-State Actors (FENSA) to promote meaningful, sustainable, and long-term engagement.
• Support strategic direction, engagement, and initiatives with relevant Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (EPP) activities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First level University degree in business, technology or related field.
Desirable: Post-graduate degree or relevant certifications in project management.

Experience

Essential: At least five years supporting product development, digital transformation and process improvement projects at international level including experience in health emergencies. Demonstrated professional experience working with diverse stakeholders at a global level, including investors, consultants and software development professionals.
Desirable: Experience with UN or other international or multinational organizations.

Skills

- Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
- Demonstrated clear thinking & problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated skills of community engagement during health emergencies.
- Demonstrated ability to act independently, exercise sound judgment and take initiative.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, tact, diplomacy and discretion.
- Collaborative mindset and demonstrated ability to work effectively and professionally.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other UN languages.

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 62,692 (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 4300 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.

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