External Relations Officer – EU Programmes – P3

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Executive Director’s Division (EDD) together with the Business Operations Division (BOS), provides the vision and leadership through which country offices and technical divisions are supported in the efficient delivery of the General and European Programme of Work (GPW/EPW) and the WHO Programme Budget. It encompasses the enabling functions of resource mobilization, communications, programme and resource management, support to governing bodies of the WHO European Region, and staff development and learning. EDD has overall responsibility for the planning, execution, and evaluation of WHO programmes at the regional and country levels and in strengthening the alignment and joint work across the three levels of the Organization. It is also responsible for the management of corporate resources and the effective and efficient allocation of such resources to achieve the results laid out in the GPW/EPW.As part of the division, the Resource Mobilization unit (RMB) advises the WHO Regional Office for Europe on its external strategy for relations and cooperation with key resource partners, including leading and coordinating resource mobilization activities across offices in the Region in support of the implementation of the Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13) and of the European Programme of Work (EPW). The unit is required to work closely with other EDD units, Business Operations units, all technical units, WHO country offices and staff in WHO headquarters and other regions. The EU team is part of the RMB unit. The team provides strategic advice and expertise to EURO technical units and country offices on the management of EU projects, covering the different dimensions/steps of the project cycle from resource mobilization/negotiation stage to the closing of the project.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

As part of the RMB Unit under the leadership of the Unit Head, the incumbent will work in close cooperation with the rest of the unit, technical divisions and WHO country offices to provide expertise to and build the capacity of all relevant WHO/Europe technical units and country offices as regards EU partnership and related funding opportunities.

Key duties:

1. Act as WHO/Europe RMB focal point for the EU. In this context, monitor relevant EU funding opportunities, ensure EURO technical units and country offices are informed and equipped to apply to relevant funding opportunities and support them in the negotiation of EU agreements.
2. Organise regular capacity-building/training sessions on different aspects of knowing the EU as a partner, designing and managing EU grants, including contractual and financial aspects, reporting, communication and visibility, governance, managing relations with EU counterparts and other dimensions of the EU project cycle.
3. Organise internal kick-off meetings with relevant technical units and WHO country offices for all new EU agreements signed by WHO/Europe, bringing together relevant project team members to go over the different important dimensions of the project.
4. Monitor the implementation of EU projects across WHO/Europe and ensure project teams are aware of important deadlines related to the implementation of EU projects.
5. Organize quarterly review meetings with project teams implementing EU projects to assess progress on implementation, identify issues and potential solutions.
6. Provide EU expert advice to technical units and country offices upon request.
7. Ensure proper engagement and information sharing with the relevant EU counterparts in Brussels/Luxembourg and in the EU delegations on a regular basis.
8. Develop reporting guidelines and templates for use by technical units and country offices.
9. Contributes to the preparation of briefing notes etc. for WHO/Europe’s Executive Council (ECO) and WHO/Europe Regional Director (RD) related to relevant issues within the area of responsibilities.
10. Performs other related duties as assigned.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree (Master’s level) in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences, Development Studies, EU studies, Economics or Public Health from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Diploma/certificate/training in resource mobilization, partnership building, development and/or humanitarian work, donor intelligence and project management.

 

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of professional experience at national and/or international level working directly with the EU, including on aspects related to resource mobilization, external/donor relations or project/programme management, preferably as part of development/international cooperation bilateral/multilateral ministries/agencies or global health initiatives.
Desirable: Documented ability to write EU funding proposals, EU project/programme documents. Relevant experience working with or within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations. Understanding and knowledge of the EU, EU project cycle, its relevant policies and instruments, especially in the health sector (internally and/or externally).

 

Skills

Direct knowledge and experience of working in a complex international environment with the EU as a partner. Familiarity with the WHO work and policies in the areas of public health, health systems or health promotion. Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of German. Intermediate knowledge of Russian.

 

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 4446 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 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.
• *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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