Consultant – Engagement with non-State actors

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise that supports the Due Diligence and Non-State Actors Unit in the Office of Compliance, Risk Management and Ethics (CRE/DAN) when conducting due diligence and risk assessment on engagements with non-State actors and provide technical expertise to advance the implementation of the WHO Framework of engagement with non-State actors (FENSA) and the recommendations contained in the management response to the initial evaluation of FENSA implementation.

Background

To facilitate implementation of the recommendations, the Due Diligence and Non-State Actors Unit (CRE/DAN) in the Office of Compliance, Risk Management and Ethics, developed four overarching action areas that underpin a more detailed set of actions that respond to the six recommendations contained in the evaluation and are contained in a management response. The management response includes inter alia measures to increase communication to demystify FENSA and improve buy-in for consistent application, build capacity to strengthen the consistent application of the FENSA rules and procedures, and develop tools and mechanisms to support FENSA implementation while ensuring ongoing learning, drawing lesson-learning and knowledge exchange.

While ambitious goals have been achieved since its adoption in 2016, enabling actions highlighted by the evaluation are critical to ensure full implementation of FENSA and Member States recommendations in an aligned, coordinated, and systematic manner to maximize the value added from non-State actor engagement across the Organization. To facilitate full achievement of the recommendations, technical support is needed. Not to mention, the exposure of CRE/DAN, and the responsibility and the complexity of its duties have increased considerably in view of the evolving functions of the Unit and the Organizational context. This, constantly calls for a higher-level of expertise and proficiency when reviewing proposals, assessing risk and proposing mitigation measures, and guiding technical departments when developing engagements.

Deliverables

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree from a recognized university in international law, business law, commercial law or corporate law.

Experience:

Essential:

• Over 10 years of relevant experience in engagements with non-State actors with minimum of 8 years of experience at the international level.

Desirable:

• Experience in the analysis of strategic engagements with non-State actors.
• Previous experience working with WHO on the subject matter or another UN agency or non-State actors.

Skills:

• Documented expertise in the area of due diligence and risk assessment, legal reviews, capacity to deliver implementable strategic recommendations.
• Advanced capacity to analyze and provide legal advises on engagements with non-State actors and on institutional rules, policies and practices.
• Strong interpersonal and analytical skills, combined with ability to multi-task and produce accurate results under time pressure.
• Excellent ability to write and synthesize information in a clear and concise manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.

Languages required:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

Intermediate knowledge of another UN Language.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level C – USD 10,000 – 12,500 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 months.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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.
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• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• 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.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html