External Relations Officer

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 108,633 USD and 147,551 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Within the Division of External Relations and Governance, the Department of Governing Bodies ensures the efficient preparation and effective conduct of the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board, and of committees or other intergovernmental processes established by them.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Head of the Governance Unit, specific activities will include:

1. Support communications with the Permanent Mission focal points and regional coordinators and follow up on requests for information and support in relation to the PBAC, EB, WHA, and other intergovernmental meetings and processes as needed.

2. Work as part of the governing bodies team in the preparation and conduct of intergovernmental processes and all governing bodies-related activities including:

• Assist in the preparation of speaking notes for the Chairpersons of Constitutional meetings.
• Contributing to the informal briefing notes for PBAC, EB and WHA;-
• Attending coordination and bureau meetings and preparing notes for the record, as well as contributing to the drafting of meeting reports;
• Supporting physical and virtual Member State meetings, including formal and informal processes
• Providing content for the GBS website and intranet, as well as coordinating the use of technology tools, such as Please Review.
• Supporting the development of standard operating procedures, guides, presentations and training materials for governing body meetings and processes.

3. Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First-level university degree in public health, international relations, health diplomacy, social science, health science, project management or a related field relevant to the position.

Desirable: Advanced-level university degree in one of the areas mentioned above.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of relevant experience, including some time in an international environment or in a relevant area in the public sector, with knowledge of and experience with the United Nations system. Desirable: Previous working experience at WHO. Previous work within the Department of Governing Bodies to support the conduct of the PBAC, EB, WHA and/or other intergovernmental processes.

Skills

• Demonstrated sound writing and communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize information in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to understand technical issues in the field of public health as well as knowledge of epidemiology, quantitative methods, and surveillance in the area of emerging/re-emerging diseases.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environment.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills combined with the ability to multi-task and produce accurate results under pressure including strong attention to detail.
• Exercise sound and considered judgment on policy considerations, in particular, to evaluate risks to WHO's good standing, to protect WHO's interests, and to minimize errors with potentially high costs in political and financial terms.
• Strong tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with sensitive issues in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to maintain harmonious relations inside and outside of WHO.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other UN official languages (Spanish, Chinese Russian and Arabic).

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 3543 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 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• 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 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 for WHO jobs.

• 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

• 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 an international post with WHO are subject to 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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