Jobs - 62537- Junior Professional Officer

Junior Professional Officer - WHO Programme Officer

Location :

Brazzaville, CONGO

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2017

Application Deadline :

24-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-2

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year initially with a a possible extension of one more year

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year initially with a a possible extension of one more year

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

IMPORTANT: This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the United Kingdom and is addressed exclusively to United Kingdom nationals.

Objective of the WHO Programme/Department:

WHO is the directing and coordinating agency for health within the United Nations System and operates at three levels: global, regional and country. The WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), in collaboration with Inter-country Support Teams, provides technical assistance, guidance and coordination to, and for 46 countries in the African region. AFRO fosters synergies with international partners and global and regional health initiatives. The African regions is characterized by a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, which also lead to high infant and maternal mortality. Strengthening health systems is an underlying necessity for the achievement of all current global priorities in health.

The Health Systems and Services cluster in AFRO, provides technical assistance and coordination for the improvement of health services through better governance and management, financing, staffing and access to essential medicines and health technologies.

Assignment Summary:

The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) will work with WHO Technical Officers to assist governments in the African region in their development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans and assist WHO in the preparation, provision and coordination of technical support to countries in the areas of health financing, health workforce, health research and information; and medicines and health technologies. The JPO will also assist AFRO in its contribution and coordination of the Harmonization for Health in Africa partnership and other region-wide health initiatives and assist in resource mobilization.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Regional Support Unit Manager of the Cluster, the JPO will undertake the following tasks:

Assist in the provision of technical support to countries in their development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans (20%);
Assist in the preparation, provision and coordination of technical support to countries in critical priority programmes, i.e health financing, health workforce, health research and information; and medicines and health technologies (40%);
Assist AFRO in its contribution and coordination with the Harmonization for Health in Africa partnership, in providing support to the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks in countries, as well as in providing input to other country,- and regional – based mechanisms to which WHO technical assistance is continuously requested (such as the Global Fund Country Coordination Mechanisms, the African Union and Regional Economic Groups) (20%);
Assist in resource mobilization activities, including the preparation of advocacy and communications materials, planning and organization of technical briefing seminars and donor visits (prepare background materials, presentations, draft minutes and reports) (20%).

Key Expected Outputs:

At the end of the assignment, it will be expected that the JPO will have contributed to WHO’s capacity to respond to the immense request for technical support from its Member States in the African region, as well as have contributed to the overall coordination with African governments, UN organizations, donors and any other relevant health partners at international, regional and country levels.

Competencies

WHO competencies required for the assignment:

Producing results
Communicating in a credible and effective way
Fostering integration and team work
Excellent planning and organizational skills, with attention to detail and with the ability to multi-task and work under pressure. Diplomacy, courtesy and ability to work in a multi-cultural team.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum: Advanced university degree in social sciences, public health, health policy, development studies, international relations or other relevant field.
Desirable: Training in project management.

Work experience:

Minimum: 2 years relevant professional work experience.
Desirable: Professional experience in an international organizations, or at country level; professional experience in health care issues.

Skills required for the assignment:

Minimum: Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English or French and a working knowledge of the other.
Proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel and presentation software (Powerpoint)

IMPORTANT: This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the United Kingdom and is addressed exclusively to United Kingdom nationals.

Requirement related to CV format: Interested candidates are requested to upload a duly completed and signed copy of the Personal History Form (P11 for UNDP) which serves as the equivalent of the CV