Technical Officer - WHO

Vacancy Notice No: HQ/11/HSE/TA15 Title: Technical Officer Grade: P4 Contract type: Temporary appointment Duration of contract: 12 months	Date: 24 January 2011 Application Deadline: 14 February 2011 (7 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland Organization unit: HQ/HSE Health Security and Environment (HQ/HSE) / HQ/HEA HSE ADGO Office of the Assistant DG (HQ/HEA)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The Health Security and Environment (HSE) Cluster was established to spearhead WHO's work towards a world that would be safer from several serious threats to global health security, such as infectious disease outbreaks, including pandemic influenza; unsafe food, water and air; polio; and health risks created or made worse by a changing environment. HSE works with Member States to strengthen implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR), and identify, assess, and manage public health risks from climate change, food, water and air, as well as risks from chemicals, radiation, and emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The HSE Cluster responds to the above-listed public health threats and related emergencies and strengthens and develops mechanisms that support national and international detection and response activities. The External Relations and Partnerships team of HSE Cluster is an integrated part of the Executive Office of the Assistant Director-General HSE.
Description of duties: The position will be housed in the office of the ADG, Health Security and Environment and will contribute directly to the activities of all departments within the HSE Cluster. This position will be under the supervision of the External Relations and Partnerships Officer in the office of the ADG for the HSE Cluster. Summary of assigned duties: Under supervision of the Lead of the External Relations team the incumbent will work independently to do the following: - Secure necessary financial resources for initiatives developed by the cluster. - Engage with high level officials of external partners including Member States, development banks and other institutions (FAO, OIE and the greater UN system) in order to consolidate existing collaborations and develop new relationships with WHO and the HSE Cluster. -Liaise with Regional and Country offices regularly to discuss resource mobilization strategies, ensure coherent plan/policies/input, obtain information and/or provide advice. Activities will include strengthening and supporting the strategic positioning of the Cluster and the Organization. - Develop cross-cutting resource mobilization proposals as well as action plan/concept notes, presentations. - Conducting strategic negotiations, drafting specifically tailored legal agreements and contracts, ensuring rapid approval of agreements and memorandums' of understanding by the WHO Legal Department. - Develop new initiatives to foster cross cutting technical activities throughout the Cluster, the Organization and others. - Liaise between programmes and donors to ensure that donor expectations and requirements are met. - Provide guidance on international law as related to the activities of the Cluster and the Organization. - In close collaboration with Legal department, provide specifically tailored legal advice to the Assistant Director-General of HSE on issues related to intergovernmental negotiations and international policy development such as OEWG issues.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: A university degree in law or international relations and advanced university degree in international law.
Skills: Good knowledge of government developmental policies and funding mechanisms within the UN system. Knowledge of public health and international relations required as well as a solid understanding of public international law, the law of international organizations and thorough. knowledge of the legal structure, legal instruments and principles applicable in WHO. Excellent written and oral communications, organizational and negotiation skills. WHO competencies: Communicating in a credible and effective way Producing results Fostering integration and teamwork Knowing and managing yourself Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Experience: Essential: Seven years of progressively responsible experience related to resource mobilization donor relations work and government liaison of which at least 4 years should be in a legal advisory role at international level including experience within the UN system. Demonstrated work experience in a public health environment dealing with multi-party negotiations, drafting legal documents and strategic relationship management with high level external partners. Experience in developing and implementing resource mobilization strategies. Experience in handling complex negotiations and in the implementation of grant agreements with governments and other public and private sector partners particularly in Asian countries. Desirable: Demonstrated experience in the development of large scale initiatives on an international and multicultural level. Experience in assisting developing countries with capacity building and sustainable development. Experience in organizing donor partnership meetings.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of English required. Working knowledge of French an asset.
Additional Information: Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice. A written test may form part of the screening process. This Vacancy Notice is published in English only.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 66,482 at single rate USD 71,393 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 92.2 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
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