External Relations Officer WHO
World Health Organization
Geneva, Switzerland
DESCRIPTION
Description of duties:
The incumbent is responsible for the overall direction and coordination of the External Relations work of the Polio Eradication Partnership and is accountable for the following:
Objective 1:
- Manage WHO's External Relations unit of the Polio Eradication Initiative (POL), ensure appropriate use of funds and the development and implementation of polio-eradication related work plans in the areas of political advocacy, resource mobilization and communications/public information.
- Lead the formulation and implementation of a consolidated strategic framework for communications, resource mobilization and political advocacy, with effective strategies/activities in line with country, regional and global needs.
- Coordinate work of POL external relations staff to develop effective/efficient biennial action plans for each area.
- Prioritize activities, monitor progress and efficiency of implementation, promote teamwork to ensure effective working relationships, identify and resolve significant implementation problems.
- Oversee development of appropriate materials to support external relations work, including the quarterly Financial Resource Requirements, annual global progress reports, polioeradication.org, Polio News, press releases and other related materials.
- Provide performance appraisal for polio external relations staff under direct supervision.
- Collaborate with Director POL and ADG/PEC to enhance/align their external relations work.
- Collaborate with other clusters to ensure appropriate POL visibility, in line with corporate WHO policy; strategy.
- Collaborate with the Director-General's office to ensure POL messages are effectively communicated through DG speeches, interviews and other external communications.
Objective 2:
- Manage the External Relations work of the Global Polio Eradication Partnership, providing strategic direction and coordinating activities across core partners (WHO, UNICEF, CDC, Rotary International, United Nations Foundation and the Bill; Melinda Gates Foundation), Regional and Country Offices, international agencies and non-governmental organizations.
- Lead the interagency Polio Advocacy Group in the development, implementation and monitoring of a joint strategic framework and annual workplans for coordinated resource mobilization and political advocacy activities.
- Coordinate the formulation of effective global resource mobilization and advocacy strategies and targets.
- Provide advice to WHO and UNICEF regional and country offices in development and implementation of plans of action for resource mobilization and advocacy in line with the epidemiological situation.
- Deepen and systematize the engagement of global partners in the GPEI, including through the new Global Partners Group mechanism, to ensure a robust donor voice in the GPEI.
Objective 3:
- Ensure sufficient financial resources for polio eradication through direct negotiations with existing donor partners, bilaterals, foundations, development banks, the private sector, etc.
- Serve as the WHO focal point for all polio eradication resource mobilization activities, leading and coordinating work to increase level of support from existing donors and identify, approach and secure funding from new donors.
- Develop and maintain a tracking system for monitoring and following up on the status of approaches to donors and pledges, to improve donor servicing and prepare forecasts of contributions, analyses and trends.
- Direct the communications staff in identifying/producing materials; PR events to stimulate financial support.
Objective 4:
- Ensure appropriate advocacy at the highest levels of political, religious and other leadership necessary to fully implement strategies in endemic countries and mobilize financial resources from donors.
- Lead advocacy efforts targeting political and other relevant leadership of priority countries including development and implementation of an advocacy strategic framework and workplan within WHO and across the polio partners.
- Identify, engage and serve as focal point for appropriate counterparts in the offices of political leaders and key regional or political bodies such bodies as the G8, OIC, AU, ECOWAS and OECD/DAC, overseeing all interactions and including direct negotiations with same.
- Monitor, analyze and document WHO cross-agency progress toward advocacy targets.
Objective 5:
- Participate as a full member of the WHO Polio Management Team, and provide other support as required by the Director, POL and ADG PEC.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential:
- Advanced university degree (i.e. Masters level) in public relations, business administration, international relations, communications or other related field.
Skills:
- Extensive knowledge of UN system, intergovernmental bodies, fundraising and public relations. Demonstrated managerial, supervisory; leadership ability, negotiation skills and a team player. Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
- Integrity, tact and discretion in dealing with numerous contacts. Ability to guide, support and encourage colleagues to work towards common goals. Writing, editorial and oral presentation skills.
- Ability to plan and organize large-scale meetings.
- High level of judgment, responsibility and initiative.
- Computer literacy.
- Desirable: Knowledge and understanding of the private sector culture.
- Experience or interest in working with legal issues including those related to private sector collaboration.
WHO competencies:
- Fostering integration and teamwork
- Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
- Promoting innovation and organizational learning
- Ensuring the effective use of resources
- Communicating in a credible and effective way
Experience:
Essential:
- At least 10 years of experience in national and international fundraising with considerable experience in international relations, communications, journalism or public relations.
- Experience in management and administration. Considerable experience writing and editing.
- Experience in the development, organization and oversight of large meetings at the international level, including at the Ministerial level or comparable scope. Considerable experience working with and influencing fundraising systems, donor organizations and decision-makers at all levels of complexity.
Desirable:
- Experience in WHO, the UN system and/or the private sector an asset.
- Experience in or with the polio eradication initiative a substantial asset.
Languages:
Essential:
- Excellent knowledge of English required.
Desirable:
- Working knowledge of French.
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