OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’sHealth Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of MemberStates to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities areoverwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response tocontain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affectedpopulations. WHE/EPR assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’scapacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response,and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards(natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radio nuclear and others) and, whennational capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the internationalhealth response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provideeffective relief and recovery to affected populations. WHE is responsible forensuring the implementation and updating of the WHO Institutional Emergency andDisaster Response policies and the International Health Regulations – IHR(2005).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Project Coordination &ImplementationIn collaborationwith EMP/PAM, coordinate the two streams of Pandemic Fund work in AFRO: stream1 for tracking implementation and reporting of both single country proposals,and regional/multi-country proposals; and new proposal development.Support theplanning, execution, and monitoring of the multi-country and regional entityprojects, ensuring timely and effective implementation in line with WHOguidelines and national health priorities.Manage Pandemic Fundcoordination unit with direct supervision of Project Management Officers (PMO).Work closely withWHO country offices, government counterparts, and partners to facilitate thesmooth execution of project activities.Ensure seamless coordination and communication across WHO’s three levels—headquarters,regional offices, and country offices—to foster cohesive project execution
• Monitoring, Evaluation& ReportingCoordinate theEstablishment and maintenance a robust Monitoring, Accountability, and Learning(MEAL) system.Track projectprogress, ensuring key performance indicators and milestones are met, andprovide regular updates to WHO leadership and relevant stakeholders.Contribute to thedevelopment of progress reports, impact assessments, and evidence-basedrecommendations to inform decision-making and policy development
• Proposal Development & CoordinationLead and coordinatethe end-to-end development of multi-country and regional entity proposals forthe 3rd call of the Pandemic Fund. Oversee the proposaldrafting, review, and finalization of proposals, ensuring quality, technicalrigor, and compliance with donor requirements.
• Stakeholder Engagement& Partnership ManagementFoster collaborationwith governments, multilateral organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders tomaximize the impact of the Multi-country and Regional entity initiatives.Promoteand communicate WHO’s and the country’s pandemic fund implementation efforts torelevant audiences, enhancing visibility and stakeholder engagement
• Represent WHO in TechnicalMeetings & Strategic DiscussionsAct as WHO’s focal point in technical meetings, workinggroups, and high-level discussions related to multi-country and regionalinitiatives, advocating for WHO’s priorities, and ensuring alignment withglobal health security goals.
• Supervision and OnboardingDevelop and implement an onboarding and inductionprocess to familiarize new team members with project objectives, roles, and WHOpolicies. Provide training sessions and mentorship to ensure theyacquire the necessary technical skills and knowledge.Conduct regular check-ins, performance evaluations, andcapacity-building initiatives to ensure alignment with project goals.
• Resource Mobilization& AdvocacyIdentify funding opportunities and relevant financingmechanisms to enhance multi-country and regional PPR efforts.Develop advocacy materialsand briefs to highlight the importance of regional and multi-countrycollaboration in pandemic preparedness

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology,International Relations, Health Policy, or a related field.
• Desirable: PHDin at least one of the abovementioned fields.

Experience

• Essential: At lest 7 years in managing public health programs or operations, preferablyin African contexts, with a strong focus on strategic planning, stakeholderengagement, and policy development in emergency or humanitarian settings.Proven expertise in project management, includingthe ability to oversee multiple projects, manage risks, and ensure timelydelivery of outcomes. This includes managing project work, coordinating teams,and reporting to higher-level management.

Desirable:

Skills

• Strong problem-solving skills, demonstrated through the ability toidentify challenges, gather and analyze complex data, build strategic models,and provide well-founded recommendations to enhance project outcomes.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the abilityto effectively present in meetings, draft comprehensive reports, and createstrategic presentations. The officer should engage effectively with diversestakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, andhealth partners at national, regional, and international levels.Proven ability to work collaboratively in teams, fosteringcooperation, developing team members, and promoting a constructive teamenvironment that values teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
• Desirable: Beginners knowledge of French.