OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The World Health Organization’s Academy (‘The Academy’) is a new state-of-the-art learning institution that aims to revolutionize lifelong learning for health impact and reach million learners around the world. Based in Lyon, France, the Academy Campus will offer a wide range of learning modalities (on-line, face-to-face and blended); digital, in-person learning via the hub in Lyon or through the campus network, as well as portable learning laboratories designed for contexts where participants cannot travel or access the digital learning platform. The Academy is an integral part of the WHO under the management authority of the Director-General. The overall goal of the Academy is to advance the learning and human development component of WHO’s General Programme of Work (GPW) and health sustainable development goals. More specifically the Academy will: enhance the competencies of millions of people through cutting-edge digital learning and hybrid learning, including leaders, practitioners, catalysts and lay people. The WHO Academy will deliver advanced digital and in-person learning to health policy practitioners, health workers and WHO workforce. The Academy campus will be officially launched in autumn 2024 as a global initiative combining the latest technologies in digital and remote learning with advancements in adult learning science to offer innovative, personalized and multilingual learning that meets priority needs.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Manages the area of work to deliver objectives through efficiently managing a small team of technical staff, to optimize the programme’s deliverables in line with the mandate of the Academy.
• Develops and monitors work plans and budgets for team activities and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.
• Manages research activities and the implementation of activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
• Conducts monitoring, evaluation and impact measurement of the specific field of work and conducts timely reporting for decision makers.
• Oversees the internal production of Academy learning programmes and coordinates with the learning technology team to ensure the integration of these programmes into the Academy`s learning platform.
• Ensures alignment with best practice in digital learning production, integration of cutting-edge technology and innovation.
• Oversees the identification, contracting and management of the learning programme production vendors.
• Stays abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and advancements in the production of eLearning courses, incorporating these developments into the production model of the Academy to ensure cost effectiveness and responsiveness to evolving technology and practice.
• Upon delegation, represents WHO at various meetings.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree in education, adult learning, learning technologies or field related to the functions of the position.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in the production and management of digital and blended adult learning programmes.
• Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources.
• Demonstrated relevant work experience at international level.

Desirable:

• Experience in the use of agile methodologies.
• Experience working within the UN.
• Experience working in learning production applied in a health-related field.
• Experience in leading transformation initiatives in digital learning and competency-base learning approaches.

Skills

• Concrete skills in the design and production of competency-based adult e-learning programmes.
• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.
• Good skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with internal stakeholders and external partners including education and learning institutions, Academia, Ministries of Health, donor institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders.
• Capacity to drive collaborative processes.
• Knowledge of agile methodologies.
• Working knowledge on Product life cycle management.
• Strong skills and knowledge in the field of Learning Technologies.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French.
• Intermediate knowledge of UN Languages.

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 77,326 (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 3190 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 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 E-Manual.
• 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 workforce. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

   

  Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• 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.
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