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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME The objective of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme is to safeguard global health security by strengthening the capacity of all countries and communities to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to a broad spectrum of health emergencies. This includes building resilient health systems, reinforcing core capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR), advancing surveillance and laboratory networks, developing a skilled healthcare workforce, and ensuring rapid and equitable access to countermeasures. Working across all three levels of WHO and with a wide range of partners, the Programme leads coordinated risk reduction, response, and recovery efforts, anchored in inclusivity, equity, and sustainability, and promotes cross-sector collaboration to address diverse risks and vulnerabilities within a cohesive global framework.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
- Working to provide support to the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) of the Pandemic Fund hosted by the World Bank in Washington D.C., the incumbent acts as technical health lead and manages WHO staff working with the Pandemic Fund.
- He/She provides expert advice and support to the TAP in the delivery of their functions.
- Oversees the technical aspects of the preparation of coherent workplans as well as the completion of periodic assessment reports that will inform the further process of the TAP.
- Provides senior executive level support to the TAP, ensuring the timely delivery of outputs, and the preparation of regular communications, liaising on behalf of the TAP Chair and Vice Chair with staff at all levels including with TAP, Pandemic Fund Secretariat and Implementing Entities' senior management on issues of strategic, technical and programmatic relevance.
- Provides infectious disease and health system strengthening thought leadership to the Pandemic Fund.
- Oversees the preparation of data, analysis and background documentation to support TAP's Governing Board agenda items and provides guidance to facilitate strategic decision-making on priority projects.
- Makes recommendations regarding solutions, modifications, improvements and alternative actions in response to existing problems, and proactively advises the TAP in supporting the Pandemic Fund Board on technical programme initiatives.
- Convenes and coordinates the TAP working groups including the preparation of the agenda and background documents as well as preparing the decisions for TAP leadership.
- Monitors implementation levels, provides qualitative feedback to the Secretariat and the TAP, and ensures pertinent follow-up actions where required.
- Supports TAP Leadership's convenings and coordination of TAP meetings, including oversight of the agenda and background documents.
- Provides technical advice to TAP leadership and selection panels, as relevant, in the selection process of TAP experts with attention to the management of potential conflicts of interest.
- Prepares the budget of the TAP and oversees the allocation of financial resources related to TAP activities.
- Prepares amendments to TAP terms of reference, as requested by the Board. Oversees the TAP's documentation of gaps and lessons from the review to inform future improvements.
- Ensures that all operations and functions of the TAP are properly coordinated and aligned with the functions outlined in the TAP's terms of reference and in the overarching Governance Framework.
- Provides technical expertise and operational support to the Pandemic Fund Secretariat to ensure effective implementation of its objectives by supporting the design of funding rounds, revising Call for Proposals guidance, developing strategic documents, and strategic planning.
- Perform all other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: Master's degree in public health, international relations, political science, business or public administration, or a discipline related to the functions of the position.
Desirable: PhD in a field related to public health, international relations, political science, business or public administration.
Experience
Essential: At least ten years of experience working in public health in a national and international context with increasing levels of responsibilities in executive support, management or public health programmes, providing technical guidance to senior level decision makers. At least three years of experience supporting responses to infectious diseases in resource-limited settings. Proven experience in providing advice for decision making within a technical secretariat. International experience within WHO, and/or with other UN organizations, working at the different levels of the organization.
Desirable: Experience with international partner coordination and collaboration. Experience in monitoring and evaluation of programs and project management. Experience in developing guidelines, tools and training materials. Experience in managing databases and data systems, in collaboration with IT colleagues.
Skills
Skills in providing technical assistance to national programmes and capacity building including health systems.
Proven experience in developing and implementing preparedness and/or institutional readiness programmes.
Proven leadership skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes.
Strong knowledge and understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the PPR context.
Proven ability to adapt, develop and/or produce operational documents.
Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
Ability to communicate and write in a clear and concise manner.
Strong expertise in leading and implementing administrative processes.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate activities and multitask.
Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to negotiate with and convince others with tact and diplomacy.
Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present information, both in writing and orally, in a logical and persuasive manner.
Strong computer skills in office applications including excel, PowerPoint, and word.
Demonstrated ability and the necessary personal organization skills to take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon results.
A commitment to teamwork and demonstrated willingness to provide help and support to others in a dynamic environment; to lead or follow, depending on the needs of the team.
Tactful, and sensitive to issues and needs of external partners and countries.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Moving forward in a changing environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of WHO Language.
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 103,165 (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 4694 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
- Staff members who have been separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration
- 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.
- The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
- Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
- WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.
- 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
- 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 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 final candidates.
- 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 International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
- 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 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
- 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.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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