Technical Officer (Governance)

The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (the Alliance) is a hosted partnership within the Science Division, that aims to promote the generation and use of health policy and systems research to improve the performance of health systems as a means of achieving organizational goals of UHC and SDGs. The objectives of the Alliance are to: (1) Stimulate the generation and synthesis of policy-relevant health systems knowledge, encompassing evidence, tools, and methods; (2)Promote the dissemination and use of health policy and systems knowledge to improve the performance of health systems; and (3)Facilitate the strengthening of capacity for the generation, dissemination, and use of health policy and systems knowledge among researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Description Of Duties

The incumbent will support the Executive Director in providing oversight for the management and administrative support of the Director’s office (including, partnerships, governance, information technology, and administrative/financial matters):

• Serves as the focal point for all WHO partnership-related issues (such as compliance, risk management, ethics, and reports of hosted partnerships to EB/PBAC) and ensures that reporting is done in a timely manner.
• Manages all governance related, coordination between the Board, the STAC, and the Secretariat ensuring clear and effective communication. Duties include:
• (a)supporting the Executive Director in management, support and smooth functioning of the Board and STAC;
• (b) supporting the Chair of the Board and the Chair of the STAC in preparing and drafting Board/STAC-related documents;
• (c) coordinating, drafting, and finalizing all Board- related documentation, including background documents/PowerPoint presentations; (d) drafting and finalizing the Board and STAC meeting minutes.
• Assists in coordinating the Executive Director’s Office by providing needed support and coordination between different arms of the management, including the secretariat, Board, and STAC. Duties include:
• (a) any protocol duties, preparation of important documents, presentations, and communication/liaison with strategic partners like policy-decision makers;
• (b) focal point for all secretariat support/planning and organization of the biennial Global Health Systems Research Symposia (incl. launches, funding of grantees, co-sponsorship agreements, etc.);
• (c) focal point for all IT-related support to the Alliance secretariat.
• Organizes and manages the administrative functions of the department and manages and supervises the effective work of administrative support staff to ensure effective programmatic and administrative support. This also entails being the focal point for any WHO and/or external audit of the Alliance.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Essential: An advanced-level university degree in public health, social science, communications, external relations, international relations, management, or related fields.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 7 years relevant work experience in administration and management, with at least 5 years of this in a UN agency/international research organization.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating Boards and Advisory Committees in an international agency.
• Demonstrated experience with grant management.

Desirable

• Experience within WHO in administration and management, including in handling WHO risk management, compliance, and internal/external audits.
• Experience in planning/organizing large research conferences.
• Experience working in an institution focusing on health policy and systems research.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to write, speak, and present clearly and concisely.
• Excellent understanding of the rules, requirements, and functioning of WHO-hosted partnerships.
• Good understanding of strategic decision-making.
• At least basic knowledge of health policy and systems research.
• Full computer literacy with MS Office

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French Intermediate knowledge of WHO official 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 64,121 (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 4419 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.
• 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 [email protected]
• 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.
• 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 years. 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.
• 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 [email protected].
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Grade

P4

Contractual Arrangement

Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)

2 years

Job Posting

Dec 12, 2023, 4:08:45 PM

Closing Date

Jan 2, 2024, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

Switzerland-Geneva

Organization

HQ/HSR Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research SCI

Schedule

Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.