Project Management Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development and implementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights and gender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health and social care services. To do so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access so as to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology. The Data and Digital Health (DDH) coordinates the digital health flagship and provides technical and policy guidance and expertise on the safety and efficacy of digital health solutions; and preserving health equity, gender equality, equity and human rights as core values in their deployment. Through its work it will support countries to leverage the use of digital technologies for improving the interface between people and health services; for improving health system performance; and for strengthening critical public health functions including disease surveillance, early warning and risk assessment. Furthermore, the unit is responsible for data collection, collation, analysis, presentation and dissemination. It will monitor and measure progress in achieving the SDGs and the triple billion goals whilst developing and implementing a measurement framework for the EPW. It will provide strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to countries to strengthen their capacity to be able to generate timely, credible, reliable and actionable data. The priority will be to strengthen health information systems in non-EU countries. The unit will engage with experts and partners both within and outside the Region to harness synergies, reduce data collection burden and fill important data gaps. It will seek to develop new approaches and methodologies including the use of big data to complement traditional methods for timely measurement and monitoring of health status and health system performance. It will also be responsible for ensuring timely and effective dissemination of health statistics to serve as a basis for planning and prioritization of activities in countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the EU4Healthproject “Supporting Member States in the WHO European region in strengthening health information systems and boosting health data governance”, and under the leadership of the Regional Adviser CPS/DDH, the incumbent ensures daily operational program management to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative in full compliance with the donor requirements.

Key Duties:

• Support the Regional Adviser CPS/DDH with the daily project/grant management, incl. contractual and financial management, internal and external coordination, quality assurance and monitoring of progress, milestones and project deliverables.
• Maintain efficient coordination and effective communication with the contributing partner, the project team/office(s), within the organization and with external stakeholders throughout the full cycle of the project (grant)management.
• Provide recommendations and support development and monitoring of the project implementation work plans and schedules in line with the input from relevant technical units/country offices.
• Monitor work packages and interventions funded by the project/grant(s) to ensure compliance with the set project/grant parameters and donor requirements.
• Support the Project Lead with the budget and financial implementation of the project is-a-vis EU funding requirements and ensuring sound financial management and reporting in close collaboration with the Finance and Administration Assistant and PRM teams.
• Provide recommendations and advice with regard to review of the project/grant(s) funding utilization rates against the progress, eligibility of expenditures and reporting deadlines in accordance with donors' specific reporting schedules and requirements.
• Coordinate procurement of goods and any local services within the project in collaboration with relevant partners and ensure proper distribution and deployment of the resources procured.
• Develop internal and external reporting and briefings on the project progress and implementation based on the technical inputs and field implementation updates.
• Review and provide input to funding proposals in support to related resource mobilization efforts at regional and country level.
• Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in public administration, political science, business, economics, international affairs, development studies or related area
Desirable: University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in any of the above disciplines or a combination of training and professional experience relevant to the position. Project Management certification.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in project management with focus on donor/EU-funded projects/programmes and grant proposal and tracking, or similar experience in a relevant field.
Desirable: Relevant experience working with the United Nations or with WHO or with countries part of the WHO European Region. Demonstrated experience working with multi-country initiatives and complex/large-scale projects.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of the EU system and operational context, funding modalities, EU logical framework approach and reporting requirements. Excellent organizational and analytical skills.

Demonstrated writing and communication skills.

Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing priorities.

Interpersonal skills, diplomacy, tact and discretion, sound judgment and initiative.

Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team(s).

Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

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

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 50,377 (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 3279 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.

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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

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