Technical Officer – Partnerships and Communications (GOARN)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (the Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The Alert and Response Coordination Department (ARC) is responsible to provide end-to-end capacity for the detection, management, coordination, and monitoring of acute public health emergencies, as well as the generation and dissemination of public health information around such events. It identifies potential acute events through early warning, provides risk assessment of such events, and delivers on the management, coordination and ongoing monitoring of acute events that require activation of an incident management structure at HQ. These include epidemics and acute humanitarian emergencies. Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) engages public health institutions, networks, academic institutions, NGOs, Red Cross UN agencies and international organizations to coordinate and provide technical expertise to support countries in infectious disease outbreak alert and response, and during public health emergencies. GOARN fosters national, regional and global networking and capacities to support outbreak preparedness and acute response. The WHO Operational Support Team (OST) for GOARN facilitates network communications, coordinates technical and operational support for acute outbreak response; and provides day-to-day running of the network, activities, and projects. In addition, the OST provides the secretariat for the Steering Committee (SCOM) of the network.The GOARN Operational Support Team (OST) is based in the Department of Alert and Response Coordination (ARC).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent may be requested to be deployed to emergencies as and when required. Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to the needs and agenda:

• Further and strengthen partnerships and relationships with GOARN Steering Committee (SCOM) to provide guidance to the strategic development of the network, manage preparations and running of SCOM meetings, and support monitoring and evaluation, and advocacy.
• Develop and implement communication strategies and guidelines/operating procedures to promote and strengthen multi-disciplinary networking and cross-cutting approaches with a broad range of GOARN institutions, and stakeholders to foster coordinated operational support and capacity for acute outbreak response.
• Enable efficient use of the GOARN knowledge platform, to support SCOM and working groups; technical cooperation; planning, and monitoring alert and rapid response activities; training, and special projects.
• Evaluate and follow-up on the knowledge platform activities to make proposals for best practices, improvements to structure, content and access, as well as liaising with external service providers.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including deploying in emergency situations, providing surge capacity, and backstopping for others, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First-level university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in communication, international relations, political or social science, or public health.
Desirable: Studies (educational qualification and/or formal training) in infectious diseases, public health, humanitarian law and/or programme and project management.

Experience

Essential: At least five years’ relevant experience in partnership coordination, network development and management in the field of public health or infectious diseases at the national or international level.
Desirable: Experience in emergency operations, particularly infectious disease outbreak, formulating plans and proposals. Experience in the development and implementation of website and/or intranet information solutions.

Skills

– Demonstrated capacity to develop, maintain and strengthen relationships with a broad range of technical counterparts and institutions, complemented by excellent interpersonal skills.
– Ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure within short deadlines.
– Ability to write in a clear and effective manner.
– Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Promoting innovation and organizational learning
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).

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 64,121 (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 4793 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 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 [email protected]

• 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 [email protected].

• 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.

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

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