Programme Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

• The mission of the Division of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.
• The WHE Division brings together and enhances WHO’s operational, technical, and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. The WHE Programme is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In support to the Regional Emergency Director (RED) to ensure the effective delivery of technical programmes of the WHE Division and in the context of the WHO Health Emergencies incident management system at the regional level in support to the full cycle of the incident, the incumbent will: 

• Support the RED on the preparation for participation in high level meetings related to ongoing emergencies and WHE programme areas by collecting relevant information and preparing presentations. Gather content from the Emergency Communications and Knowledge Management Teams to strengthen narratives for RED presentations and speeches.
• Support the RED on the monitoring the progress of WHE priorities and activities.
• Coordinate with concerned colleagues, consolidate and contribute to the preparation of corporate reports and dashboards.
• Gather and consolidate information from the PAMs and technical leads to strengthen collaboration, coordination, and information-sharing across the WHE Division and to prepare senior leadership with comprehensive talking points and briefings related to the WHE Division and programmes of work.
• Support the RED and the WHE Programme Area Managers (PAMs) to jointly identify and maintain areas of collaboration with other Divisions in the European Regional Office.
• Participate various meetings, coordinate relevant activities, ensure predictable follow-up on agreed action points with relevant stakeholders.
• Perform any other related duties, as required by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: A bachelor’s degree in management, administration, health policy/planning, economics, social development, social sciences or international relations from a recognized/accredited institute.
• Desirable: Formal training in public health.

Experience

• Essential: A minimum of five years’ experience in project management with experience planning, grant management, and/or related field. Related experience in the context of outbreaks and/or emergency programmes.
• Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, Health Cluster Partners, recognized Humanitarian Organizations or relevant nongovernmental organizations.

Skills

• Strong ability to analyse and synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Strong professional skills in the development of reports, presentation and persuasive documents.
• Demonstrated writing skills in English.
• Basic understanding of public health in emergencies, particularly countries affected by conflict in the Region. Knowledge of the WHO system at the regional level with a basic understanding of its mandate.
• Demonstrated capacity to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
• Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French and Russian.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2408304