Planning Officer

The overall objective of the Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring and Evaluation (PBM) Unit is to lead the organization’s processes and capacity building in the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of result-based and integrated Programme management toward achievement of African countries’ health and development goals and the WHO General Programme of Work. The PBM Unit leads the regional process for the development of the programme budget and associated work plans; guides and supports all offices in efficient activity and budget implementation; facilitates the Program Budget allocations; and supports performance monitoring, and assessment within WHO global review processes, ensuring strict adherence to organizational guidelines and standards. The PBM Unit also leads or contributes to programmatic and thematic evaluations at the regional, inter-country and country level.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the PBM Coordinator, and the overall guidance of the DPM, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:

Lead and manage the strategic and operational planning processes, including the development, monitoring and reporting of strategic plans, programme budgets, and operational plans, and the implementation of the Results-based Management framework regionwide; Provide strategic advice and participate in the development of the General Programme of Work and the Programme budget including the definition of impact, outcomes, outputs and related indicators as well as in the development of other organizational policies that have planning implications; Guide the Regional Office and Country Offices in the development of their strategic and operational plans, including linkages and integration of established organizational priorities, such as from the Country Cooperation Strategies (CCS) and the Transformation Agenda for the Africa Region; Guide AFRO staff on the procedures, terminology, and reporting requirements for this process; Develop and/or adapt guidelines, materials and tools needed to support the strategic and operational planning processes of the results-based system for programme planning, monitoring and evaluation. Lead the strategic and operational planning team to provide solid, effective, planning guidance and services which enable successful programme implementation. Coordinate the development and implementation of learning and communication strategies, mechanisms, and tools for strategic and operational planning; Validateand guide budget centers on alignment of operational plans (including country support plans) with the programmed budget, transformation agenda, country cooperation strategy, and other regional orientations; Lead the quality assurance of work plans (including those for Multi-Country Assignment Teams) with operational planning, costing, and budgeting guidance; Monitor the completeness and quality of products and activities in work plans; Provide technical support to Budget Centres for the follow-up of the implementation of workplans based on evidence related to progress made on the status of planned results; Lead, guide and support a network of budget centre planning, monitoring, and evaluation focal points including the Programme Management Officers’ Network(PMOs Network); Lead and draft the PBM Unit workplan and HR plan in consultation with the unit colleagues, ensuring alignment of the workplan with the programme budget, and regional orientations; Manage and revise the PBM HR and workplans as guided by the Coordinator PBM; Contribute to the performance monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the implementation of the programme budget and operational plans in the Region; Support the Country Cooperation Strategy in collaboration with the Country Focus and Cooperation Unit; Lead the resource mobilisation work for the unit in collaboration with the External Relations, Partnerships, and Governing Bodies Unit; and Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: Advanced university degree in public health, economics, or social sciences.
• Desirable: Specialized training in planning, results-based management and/or project management. Knowledge of Planning, Budgeting, and Monitoring and Evaluation framework Degree of medicine or other health sciences from a recognized university

Experience

• Essential: A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in managing, leading, coordinating, and implementing programme development, planning, monitoring and evaluation programmes; at least 5 years of the 10 with WHO or other United Nations funds, programmes, or agencies at an international level in the public health sector.

Skills

• Sound knowledge of management principles, practices and techniques of programme management including strategic and operational planning, and programme assessment. Excellent analytical skills and writing skills with the ability to conceptualise and think in abstract terms. Knowledge of the application of Results Based planning principles. Good management, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to resolve difficult situations, respond positively to change, identify client’s needs, and propose alternative workable solutions. Strong organizational skills, as well as the capacity to lead dialogue and negotiations. Ability to prioritise competing demands.

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
• Desirable:The above language requirements are interchangeable.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2403196&tz=GMT%2B05%3A30&tzname=Asia%2FCalcutta