Technical Officer, Public Health Project Management

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal health coverage/Communicable and non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in theWHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda in Africa, and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control”. This approach is underpinned by the guiding principles of comprehensive whole of society, people-centered, integrated approaches to disease control. The comprehensive whole of society approaches to disease control involves: (a) coherent implementation of triple response - technical response: implementing diseases specific normative guidance, promoting intervention mixes and deploying medical commodities; health systems response:building capacities of district service delivery systems in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and sector/subsector planning; andmulti-sectoral response: addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of diseases through mobilizing non-health sectors, communities and stakeholders; (b) disease control partnership of public and private sectors, health and non-health sectors; and (c) community involvement in targeted high risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards. The people centered, integrated approaches to disease control involves: (a) integrated guidance on disease control for each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone disease specific guidance; and (b) integrated and efficient disease control investments in strengthening the capacity of appropriate health services delivery platforms through deployment of appropriate technologies and analytics to guide stratification of disease risksacross population groups in order to develop and deploy comprehensive packages of interventions appropriate for each population group and health service delivery platform, as well as monitor population access, coverage and impact to leave no one behind.The specific objectives of the UCN cluster to which the ESPEN programme contributes, are to: (i) provide leadership on disease control coordination, partnership and resource mobilization; (ii) contribute to the development of WHO disease control technical products, services and tools including adoption of new technologies and innovations; (iii) support generation and use of strategic information for action and decision making including optimizing investment; and (iv) provide or facilitate provision of technical support in deployment of WHO technical products and services and institutional capacity building, including support to national disease programmes and regulatory authorities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be expected to perform the followingduties:Project management: Coordinate projects within ESPEN and work with the appropriate staff to ensure that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the required level ofquality (Leadership, facilitation of technical support and grant management)Work with appropriate staff to determine the activities and resources (time, money, equipment, etc) required to complete the project(project workplans) and develop a schedule for the completion of each projectCarry out risk assessments, and document mitigation measures to ensure objectives of the project are metMonitor the progress of each project and recommend adjustments to ESPEN Team Leader as necessary to ensure the successful completion of the projects. Utilize IT systems to keep track of people, project milestones and progress.Using IT systems, develop forms and records to document and track project activities: Set up files to ensure that all project informationis appropriately documented and secured. Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including appropriate staff in the organization on the progress of each project and ESPEN as a whole Coordinate the development of timely progress reports onresults to donorsPlanning and administration: (Leadershipand Facilitation of technical support)Coordinate and support preparations for regional coordination mechanism meetings which include: the PC-NTD-Regional Programme Review Group, ESPEN Steering Committee and other critical meetings as assignedby ESPEN Team Leader. With technical team, coordinatethe development & monitoring, and evaluation of the NTD master plans in theWHO African region. Initiate communications with stakeholders (funding andmedicine donors, implementing partners) through the appropriate WHO channelsand signatories Coordinate project staff and/or experts according to the established policies and practices of WHO Ensure that all project personnel receive an appropriate orientation to ESPEN, NTD Programme and its partners, UHC/ UCN cluster, AFROand WHO.Capacity strengthening (Technical support and institutional capacity building)Facilitate the set-up, management and maintenance of roster of experts on NTDs in close collaboration with subject matter expertsFacilitate the development of pre-deployment briefings, briefing and deployment of NTDs experts in the field Develop metrics for assessing and monitoring ESPEN sub-contractors and their deliverables to ensure guidelines are maintained, timelines adhered to and WHO quality standards are metSurveillance, monitoring and evaluation (supportgeneration and use of strategic information for action)Determine the objectives and measures upon which the project (and each grant to the project) will be evaluated at its completion and workwith ESPEN Team Leader to evaluate the outcomes of the grants and project Document mass drug administration campaigns planned and implemented and link these with the Health Campaigns Intelligence Hub of the Coalitionfor Campaign Effectiveness.Keep track of key regional NTD indicators, including adoption of guidelines by member states, aligned with the AFRO Framework and Global NTD roadmap. Advocacy and resource mobilization (Partnership, and resource mobilization and grant management)Coordinate the development of ESPEN funding proposals and concept notes Facilitate the development and use of communication materials, advocacy tools for mobilizing resources for ESPEN

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First University degree in Public Health, epidemiology, international health or related field.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Public Health. Training in Neglected Tropical Diseases. Training in Project Management.

Experience

Essential: At least five (5) years of experience in Neglected Tropical Diseases or other infectious diseases prevention and control or related field.
Desirable: Working experience with WHO or other international organizations. Work experience in health programmes would be an asset. Expertise in the Project Management at national and international levels with an emphasis on NTDs.

Skills

Management and leadership Extensive knowledge and skills in projectmanagement and strategic planning.Ability to build capacity in various aspects of programme managementAbility to establish effective networks and working relationships with people of different nationalities and cultural background.Good knowledge of Project Management as applied to disease control programmesOrganizational and Analytical Computer skills: Computer skills; Word processing, Simple accounting, Data base management, Spreadsheets, E-mail, and Internet Well-developed interpersonal skillsCommunication SkillsTeam working SkillsDiplomacy Ability to motivate people

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 2768 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

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