Project Manager (Pandemic Fund)

Job Description

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme (The Programme), is to support countries to coordinate action, prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. The EPPR project in Ethiopia is a significant initiative aimed at reinforcing the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies, including pandemics. WHO will manage the EPPR funding in collaboration with other partners as implementing entities.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION 

Within the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme at the country level, the purpose of the position is to provide project management support in the implementation of the Ethio-Pandemic Multi-Sectoral Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (EPPR) initiative funded by the Pandemic Fund. The incumbent will oversee the implementation of project’s technical and operational plans. His/Her responsibilities include managing the project, planning project activities, coordinating financial resource allocation, and providing project management support to ensure effective delivery of expected results.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The successful candidate will join the Emergency, Preparedness and Response (EPR) team and will report to the EPR Team Lead. S/he will work closely with colleagues at the Country Office, Regional Office and HQ, and under the guidance of the EPR Team lead and WR. As the EPPR project manager, s/he will have front-line responsibility for managing the Pandemic project and funds. This includes collaborating with stakeholders, such as the Federal Ministry of Health, UN agencies, NGOs, WHO Teams, field offices, and health cluster partners. Ongoing communication and collaboration with these stakeholders will be essential to the success of the project.

GRADE

 NO-D

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

During the assignment, the assigned duties below may be modified based on the technical needs of the program.

1. Provide operational leadership and technical guidance to the overall programme management, grants management, budget, work planning, including development, day-to-day operation, monitoring and evaluation of workplans to ensure effective execution of outbreaks and health emergencies programmes.
2. Maintain efficient collaboration, coordination and effective communication with the project team and technical leads within the organization and with external stakeholders in development, implementation and monitoring of technical, operational and project workplans throughout the full cycle of the project (grant) management
3. Develop and implement a project implementation work plan. The incumbent will ensure the project proceeds according to plan, timetable/deliverables, and milestones and that all activities are delivered to an excellent standard and according to the donor requirements.
4. Ensure timely and optimal use of designated funds to achieve results as per defined indicators underpinning compliance with project management principles and donor requirements.
5. Produce narrative technical and financial reports. The incumbent will also be responsible for providing any information requested by partners or internal/external stakeholders in the framework of the EPPR initiative.
6. Liaise with Resource Mobilization team to secure rapid funding for immediate needs for the initiatives and project; with sustainable, predictable financing for programme activities
7. Coordinate the analysis, consolidation, and dissemination of information on program management. Contribute to the preparation of monitoring and progress reports, briefings, proposals, reports, communications, and advocacy documents required for strategic decision-making, including timely and quality donor reporting.
8. Attend various project management meetings and represent the specific projects, coordinate relevant activities, and ensure predictable follow-up on agreed action points with relevant partners and stakeholders.
9. Perform any other related duties as required by the team and as demanded on the Pandemic fund.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

Advanced University Degree (Master’s Level) in any of the following disciplines: Medicine, Public Health, Management, Economics, Social Development, Social Sciences or related fields from a recognized/accredited institute.

Desirable:

Post graduate degree or formal training in public health and/or project management.

Experience

Essential:

• At least seven (7) years of progressive professional experience in project management with experience in planning, grant management, budgeting, financial management, and/or related field, including a sound understanding of resource mobilization.
• Experience in managing public health or health emergency projects is considered a value-added.

Desirable:

• Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, Health Cluster Partners, recognized Humanitarian Organizations, or relevant nongovernmental or international organizations with exposure to public health/implementation of donor-funded projects/programs.
• Previous experience in managing multi-stakeholders or Joint Programs is considered a plus.

FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Proven knowledge of project management, budgetary, and financial management practices and the ability to develop improved systems that support these processes.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills and ability to analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Excellent knowledge and expertise in project design, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Ability to foster teamwork and to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels
• Strong professional skills in writing and development of reports and persuasive documents
• Demonstrated strong management advocacy and communication skills
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Interpersonal skills, diplomacy, tact and discretion, sound judgment and initiative
• Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team(s).

WHO COMPETENCIES

1. Ensure the effective use of resources
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Teamwork
4. Moving forward in a changing environment
5. Producing results

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Excellent knowledge of English. Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.

OTHER SKILLS (E.G. IT SKILLS)

Strong computer skills in MS Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

REMUNERATION

This is a Special Service Agreement (SSA) contract at NO-D, with a monthly remuneration of $3,957.92 paid in local currency equivalent.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1)    The duty station for this position is Addis Ababa.

2)      This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

3)      Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

4)      A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

5)      In the event 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.

6)      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.

7)      Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and E-Manual.

8)      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.

9)      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.

10)   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

11)   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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

12)   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 short-listed candidates.

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

14)   For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

15)   This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.