External Relations Officer

Job Title: External Relations Officer 

Organization: World Health Organization (WHO)

Grade: P4

Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 2 Years

Closing Date: Nov 3, 2023, 1:59:00 AM

Primary Location: Switzerland-Geneva

Organization Unit: HQ/GBS Governing Bodies

Schedule: Full-time  

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Within the Division of External Relations and Governance, the Department of Governing Bodies ensures the efficient preparation and effective conduct of the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board, and of committees or other intergovernmental processes established by them.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The main objective will be to work closely with and support the Head of the Governance Unit to ensure continuity and the efficient and effective preparation, conduct, and follow-up of WHO's governing bodies. Under the guidance of the Head of the Governance Unit, specific activities will include:

1. Liaising with the Permanent Mission focal points, following up on their requests for information and support in relation to the Executive Board, the WHA, EBPBAC, and other intergovernmental meetings.
2. Working as part of the governing bodies team in the run-up to and during the intergovernmental processes and all governing bodies-related activities. Duties will include: attending coordination meetings, preparing notes for the Chair, and drafting notes for the record.
3. Following up with Member States that may propose draft resolutions to the Executive Board, to ensure they are submitted correctly and processed in a timely way. This will require liaison with Member States and follow-up with the Reports Office (shortly before and) in-session, and with the DOX team as and when required.
4. Coordinating meetings with the regional coordinators, dealing with their requests for meeting room requirements and other general matters.
5. Supporting the general planning for the WHA.
6. Providing support in advance of and during the EBPBAC, as needed.
7. Advising and supporting informal consultations on draft resolutions and decisions.
8. In close collaboration with GBS staff, assisting in developing and maintaining guides, presentations, and training materials for governing body meetings and preparing briefings on specific topics.
9. Monitoring media, and using social media to promote the objectives and work of governing bodies. Liaising with colleagues on the improvement of IT tools for governing body meetings.
10. Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced-level university degree in international relations, political or social science, or related fields.
Desirable:

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in an international environment or in a relevant area in the public sector, with knowledge of and experience with the United Nations system
Desirable: Previous working experience in meetings of governing bodies, their organization and conduct, and familiarity with WHO and its policies and practices an advantage.

Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of organizational policies and practices, meetings management, and documentation.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Exercise sound and considered judgment on policy considerations, in particular, to evaluate risks to WHO's good standing, to protect WHO's interests, and to minimize errors with potentially high costs in political and financial terms.
• Strong tact, diplomacy, and discretion in dealing with sensitive issues in a multicultural environment. Ability to maintain harmonious relations inside and outside of WHO.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Expert knowledge of French.

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 77,326 (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 5464 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

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

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

• In the event that 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.

• 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.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules, and E-Manual.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 
• 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 into practice.
• 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.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO International Travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with the WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO International Travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history, and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates

Apply Now