Country Liaison Officer Grade: P5

Vacancy Notice No: WPRO/12/FT176 Title: Country Liaison Officer Grade: P5 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract: Two years	Date: 22 May 2012 Application Deadline: 29 June 2012 (4 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Pohnpei, Micronesia (Federated States of) Organization unit: WPCO Countries (WP_ACO) / WP_FSM Federated States of Micronesia (WP_FSM) WHO South Pacific / Director (Pacific Technical Support Division)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The goal of WHO's country presence is to enable the entire Organization to support the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau in reaching its national health goals and contributing to global and regional public health action. Under the leadership of the Country Liaison Officer (CLO) and supported by all levels of the Organization, the WHO country office is the centre of the Secretariat's mechanism for delivering its technical cooperation.
Description of duties: The Country Liaison Officer manages WHO core functions at country level and provides leadership in the following key functional areas: Advocacy, Partnership and Representation, Policy Development and Technical Cooperation, and Administration and Management. 1. Advocacy, Partnership and Representation Promotes an effective health dimension to social, economic, environmental and development policies through dialogue with senior government officials, bilateral and multilateral agencies, UN organizations and other partners and advocates health as an integral part of national health development and aid cooperation; Provides health authorities with assessments of broad political trends at the global level and their implications on national health programmes; Keeps national authorities regularly informed of resolutions of WHO governing bodies on health priorities; enables the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau to contribute to the work of WHO and gain maximum benefits from their membership; Facilitates dialogue between national authorities, the donor community and other development and cooperation partners on aid effectiveness and related policies and in resource mobilization and assists authorities in preparing technically-sound proposals, ensuring consistency with national priorities and WHO policies; Assists the Governments in its role of coordination and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders in the health sector; collaborates on WHO initiatives in the Pacific, the Region, and globally; and liaises with potential supporters of WHO activities in the health sector; Participates in the UN country teams and ensures that the needs for assistance are addressed by the UN system's organizations. Collaborates with other UN agencies in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating any joint or collaborative activities with emphasis on those in the health sector; and Promotes WHO activities and information on global health trends through the national public information media. 2. Policy Development and Technical Cooperation Provides technical assistance where appropriate and supervises technical assistance provided by WHO aimed at strengthening the health sector in a sustainable fashion with emphasis on the principles of primary health care; Contributes to the situational analysis and assessment of health needs and resources and to the implementation of appropriate interventions, by providing evidence-based information to national authorities, and facilitating the planning, implementation and evaluation of national health policies, plans and programmes; Supports human resource development with Governments to strengthen capacity, management and planning in human resources; and Provides technical support in building and strengthening national capacities including for disaster preparedness and response. 3. Administration and Management Works with the Ministries of Health and other relevant agencies in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating WHO's collaborative programmes in the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau; Promotes team work and harmonious staff relations; Develops and monitors the Country Office and staff work plans; Serves as a member of the security management team and be responsible for the safety and security of personnel employed by WHO in the three named Pacific island countries and their eligible dependants and for the implementation of security plans.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Medical degree or postgraduate degree in public health, health systems development or a related field from a recognized university is essential. Professional training in epidemiology is desirable.
Skills: Skills in health situation analysis, programme development and management, monitoring and evaluation. Diplomacy and tact in presenting major health issues to governments and partner agencies for information or action, good interpersonal skills, and a strong ability to communicate effectively. Demonstrated ability to work with governments. Proficient in Microsoft word processing and data management applications and the ability to learn and use WHO propriety software programmes. Troubleshooting software and hardware skills very useful. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct. Competencies: 1. Creating an empowering and motivating environment 2. Ensuring the effective use of resources 3. Producing results 4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond 5. Fostering integration and teamwork
Experience: Minimum ten years experience in public health management or administration, including three years minimum experience at international level is essential. Experience in developing countries is an advantage.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD80 734 at single rate USD86 904 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 67.2% % 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.
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.