External Relations and Partnerships Officer

Mission and objectives

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. The organization is responsible for providing leadership in global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. In Afghanistan, WHO works to improve the health and wellbeing of all Afghans by preventing and reducing mortality, morbidity and disability, and strengthening health services.

Context

The WHO Afghanistan External Relations and Partnership (EXT) unit aims to raise predictable and flexible funding by establishing, strengthening, and nurturing partner relations through sustained Partner Engagement. The vision of the EXT unit in the Afghanistan Country Office is to be more effective in delivering on stakeholders’ expectations, leading to an improved perception of WHO, diversified funding, and better support to Afghanistan towards providing basic health and essential health, and meeting SDG targets. Under the direct supervision of the Country Office Head of External Relations and Partnerships, the EXT Officer will serve as the advisor to the country office in resource mobilization, advocacy, and partnership activities. As a key member of the Country Office EXT unit, the EXT officer will contribute to the management of the coordination, expansion, development, and oversight of the country offices’ funding and associated partnerships. Against the above, the EXT officer will contribute to the following: 1. Alignment of funding to WHO’s Programme Budget and Country Office Investment case

2. Predictability and flexibility of funding

3. Reducing the financial vulnerability of WHO through expansion of and innovation within the funding base and

4. Continued enhancement of the transparency and reporting of WHO’s funding and associated outcomes.

At the country level, the incumbent will develop and implement a resource mobilization action plan for the country, based on the needs expressed in the country support plans: To research existing and potential donors; develop proposals, donor briefings, reports, and updates; ensure compliance with WHO and donor requirements. To coordinate the overall and day-to-day activities to secure rapid and sustainable funding for the effective implementation of the country support plans and ensure accurate, timely reporting

Task description

Under the supervision of the External Relations and Partnerships Team Lead – The incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities, which are performed according to the needs and agenda:

1. Develop and implement an innovative resource mobilization action plan for the Country Office to ensure sustainable financing for core and emergency activities;

2. Research the interests and application requirements of the main donors and other sources of funding to the country. Draft proposals, donor briefings, reports and updates to ensure accurate and timely reporting;

3. Maintain partner relations through innovative approaches (e.g, quarterly partner briefing); while concisely, clearly and convincingly communicating WHO yearly/biennial strategic direction; proactively contributes in negotiations for rapid donor agreements;

4. Oversee the overall activities related to mobilization of resources, grants management, funding needs and gaps, and the awards process. Maintain project calendars and milestones; analyses information on project activities, and monitors progress towards targets, using various project management databases; 5. Liaise with Regional Offices to secure the required clearance, including legal and financial clearances for proposals and donor agreements before signature;

6. Manage multiple projects throughout the project life cycle; monitor implementation rates and reporting deadlines and ensure activities and expenditures are aligned with the terms and conditions set out in individual donor agreements; work closely with procurement, logistics, HR and technical staff to monitor the overall implementation of projects in the country office;

7. Liaise with coordination agencies in the country to ensure that the Country Office participates in system-wide resource mobilization activities and that it effectively engages with staff of Country-Based Pooled Funds to secure funding from those sources;

8. In coordination with the Communication Officer, effectively utilize the communication products to inform donors about both Health Sector and WHO’s strategies and work to encourage them to fund the overall health sector response to affected populations and to WHO’s strategic plans and proposals;

9. Performs any other relevant duties, as required by the supervisor and in alignment with global WHO branding and policies in the relevant area of expertise.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their Assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);

• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;

• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.

• Contribute with articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;

• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;

• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.