Project officer
Support project implementation and coordination within WHO.
Overview
Support project implementation and coordination within WHO.
You have:
- Must have experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation, public health or international relations.
- Willingness to engage with community and promote volunteerism.
- Proficiency in English and knowledge of French is an asset.
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, on multiple projects.
- Excellent organizational ability and meticulous attention to detail.
Contract
This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region has embarked on a new Global Programme of Work (GPW13) and a new Programme Budget (2020-2021). Through these two strategic documents, the region aims to deliver public health outcomes through an integrated results-based structure.
The overall objective the Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Cluster, in the WHO African Regional Office (AFRO) is to provide leadership and ensure action in supporting Member States in reducing the impact of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (CND) and contribute to attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the SDGs in the WHO African Region.
The Cluster is responsible for the following technical areas - HIV, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis, including other Sexually Transmitted Infections; Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases, including Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases; Non-Communicable diseases; and Vaccine Preventable Diseases. The Cluster provides leadership and vision to the above and related areas of work in the WHO African Region and facilitates planning, programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of services in an integrated approach. The Cluster is responsible for joint actions with the ARD and UHC-LC Clusters to respond to the needs of the population through the integrated delivery of interventions and services for CNDs equitably across the life course, through strengthened health systems, and for response to outbreaks to vaccine-preventable and vector-borne diseases with the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Cluster. The Cluster also develops strategic partnerships, mobilizing capacities in the region in the pursuit of its objectives and contributes to cross-cluster resource mobilization in order to achieve universal coverage for significant improvement in health outcomes using Primary Health Care as a delivery vehicle.
The UCN Director's office is responsible for developing, leading, monitoring and evaluating the work of the UHC-UCN Group and coordinating its action with WHO Headquarters, Clusters, and partner agencies and institutions. The UNV project officer will support the effective implementation and coordination of projects initiated by the Cluster. He/she will specifically focus on facilitating coordination and delivery of tangible results through the development of a broad range of reports, tools and materials that are critical for achieving the expected results linked to projects.
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the team leader as assigned, and direct guidance of the UCN Cluster Director, the UN Volunteer will:
- Effective monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the projects
- Produce inception report on the analysis and functioning of the Unit’s projects
- Production of matrix summarizing who is doing what, when and where in each country and at sub-regional level developed, updated and available
- Production of documents & materials to support effective coordination and project management
- Report on status of Implementation of recommendations related to projects managed or developed by the Unit
- Development of a Gantt Chart that clearly shows the timeline for delivery of each of the project's outputs.
- Provide Projects regular progress update and highlight any issue
- Contribute to the development of tools and materials for assessing and monitoring projects.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day)
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly- arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
• Professionalism; • Integrity; • Teamwork and respect for diversity; • Commitment to continuous learning; • Planning and organizing; • Communication; • Flexibility; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement.
project management, projects monitoring and evaluation, public health, international relations, Grant management or humanities.
• Must have meticulous attention to detail and excellent organizational ability. • Be able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, on multiple projects. • A proven ability to plan, execute, collaborate and work independently.
The Republic of Congo is a low-middle income country, located in Central Africa sub-region.
The country shares boundaries with Gabon in the South-West, Cameroon and Central Republic Africa in the North and North East, the Democratic Republic of Congo in the East, Angola and Atlantic Ocean in the South.
Since 2014, the Republic of Congo is experiencing an economic downturn, affecting the economic growth (-5 per cent in 2017). Because of the persistent drop in the price of oil, this situation drove to the decline of the gross domestic product per capita, from $3,196 in 2013 to $1,658 in 2017. Nevertheless, the country is globally stable and safe in the main urban and rural areas.
Frequent disruptions are recorded in the electricity supply, particularly in Brazzaville (political capital) and Pointe-Noire (economic capital). The living cost is relatively affordable, but some concerns with the cost of decent housing should be noted. The population enjoys dressing in style and loves music both profane and religious.
According to United Nations security standards, life and travel in Brazzaville and in the other areas major are secure.
The Republic of Congo is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.
Potential interview questions
| Can you provide an example of a successful project you managed and the outcome? | The interviewer wants to understand your project management experience and success criteria. | Discuss a specific project, your role, and the impact it had. |
| How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects? | This assesses your organizational and time management skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a challenge you faced in a project and how you overcame it. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure effective communication among project stakeholders? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What role does flexibility play in your project management approach? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |