Technical Officer (Monitoring and Advocacy) – WHO jobs in Switzerland

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-03-13

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Health emergencies continue to have significant and sometimes catastrophic impacts on countries’ health, economies and development. Both recent and ongoing public health events have demonstrated that many communities remain at the high risk, and that strong levels of national preparedness across all relevant sectors are crucial to ensuring the effective management of health emergencies, when they occur. They also illustrate the need for scaling up the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) that requires countries to build and maintain the capacities to prevent, detect and rapidly respond to, and recover from public health emergencies, anchored on strong and resilient health systems. The Emergency Preparedness Division contributes to the implementation of the WHO Global Programme of Work (GPW 13) and is guided by WHO strategic priorities to keep the world safe, improve health and serve the vulnerable. The WHO strategic priorities drive the progress in health towards Universal Health Coverage, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and speaks particularly to SDG 3, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The Health Security Preparedness (HSP) department supports Member States in enhancing national preparedness across the IHR core capacities to manage all-hazard risks and emergencies, and to build multisectoral approaches for health security. It ensures that WHO supports Member States to build sustainable preparedness capacities and scale up the implementation of the IHR(2005), and support the implementation of the Sendai Framework, the WHO Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Framework, Paris Agreement on Climate Change and other related global and regional frameworks. HSP works with partners and the broader global health security community to ensure that the most vulnerable communities in all countries are protected from the impact of health emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will have the following roles and responsibilities, in close collaboration with other WHO departments, regions, and relevant stakeholders:

1. Provide crucial, high-level technical support for the development of the tools, processes, reports, templates and operationalization of the UHPR Mechanism;
2. Coordinate the development and adjustment of the methodologies including for the national and global commissions;
3. Organize and coordinate the multi-sectoral consultation process to prepare the UHPR reports, including overseeing the development of country profiles, simulation exercises, identifying data sources, and analyzing data from various sources;
4. Lead the rollout of country pilot missions and update of technical documents based on inputs received;
5. Ensure up datedness of the framework, methodology and guidance for the review processes taking into account feedback from the pilot in countries and other stakeholders;
6. Develop guidance at national and global levels to analyze the results from the UHPR process in a standardized approach that facilitates understanding of current preparedness levels;
7. Develop guidance and tools to support Member states in costing a plan for implementation of the recommendations from UHPR, and to integrate into national action plans;
8. Provide critical support to Member States in the preparation and roll out of pilot missions;
9. Develop and update training materials for the roster of experts and members of country pilot missions;
10. Develop communications, publications and advocacy materials for UHPR including for the UHPR webpage;
11. Oversee the UHPR roster of experts and coordinate the selection of experts according to relevant requirements;
12. Monitor progress of national and global implementation of recommendations from UHPR and evaluate outcomes on a regular basis;
13. Oversee the Technical Advisory Group, and coordinate the convening of meetings, development of agendas, reports and incorporate advice into the processes, methods and tools of the UHPR;
14. Organize briefing and information sessions for the Member States, WHO senior management, and CSOs;
15. Develop and support the implementation of an accountability framework;
16. Coordinate with subject area experts including Unit Heads on cross-cutting areas of work in developing and updating relevant tools, guidance and processes;
17. Liaise with the response teams and IMST to incorporate lessons into country preparedness and response, and link to potential partners and stakeholders;
18. Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor. As needed, the incumbent will be deployed to provide support on the ongoing cholera and various potential outbreaks/health emergencies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• Advanced level university degree (master’s or equivalent) in medicine, international relation or other social sciences.

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in public health or public policy.
• Additional certifications or training in health emergency preparedness and response, governance or related area.

Experience

Essential:

• At least10 years of professional experience in an international context, on the development and operationalization of reviews, assessments, monitoring and evaluation of health emergency preparedness and response, and health policies or public health governance.
• Relevant experience working for a national or local authority.
• Extensive experience working within a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.

Desirable:

• Relevant experience in international organization / UN agency.
• Knowledge of WHO rules and procedures and WHO computing environment.

Skills

1. Excellent and demonstrated writing, oral presentation and communication skills.
2. Proven knowledge and skills in health emergencies and health governance.
3. Positive attitude to learning new skills and working with a team.
4. Capable of working under high pressure and tight time constraints.
5. Politically savvy.
6. Focused on quality with attention to details.
7. Analysis and troubleshooting skills, with aptitude and sound judgement for creative problem solving.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

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

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 92,731 (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 6785 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 TA (Temporary appointments) positions at the same grade level
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• 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.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.
• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
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