A. Grant Coordination and Implementation Oversight
Coordinate the overall implementation of the Multi-Country and Single-Country Pandemic Fund grants.
Ensure activities, budgets and deliverables remain aligned with approved grant proposals, workplans, donor requirements, and Steering Committee decisions and recommendations.
Serve as the primary coordination focal point between WHO, implementing partners, government counterparts and other stakeholders.
Monitor implementation progress and proactively identify and address bottlenecks affecting timely delivery.
B. PAR, QAR and Assurance Review Management
Lead and coordinate Implementing Partner Capacity Assessments (IPCAs), quality assurance reviews and spot checks in collaboration with third-party assurance providers.
Ensure timely planning, implementation, documentation and follow-up of all assurance activities.
Review findings and prepare consolidated reports and management action plans.
Track and facilitate resolution of compliance issues, unsupported expenditures and other identified risks.
Coordinate routine technical quality assurance reviews and independent third-party spot checks, ensuring findings are documented, acted upon and reflected in corrective action plans.
C. Quality Assurance and Risk Management
Lead quality assurance activities in collaboration with technical teams.
Establish and oversee implementation of quality assurance frameworks across all implementing partners.
Strengthen internal controls and risk mitigation measures.
Monitor compliance with WHO standards, donor requirements and grant implementation procedures.
Ensure systematic follow-up and closure of identified risks and corrective actions.
D. Contract and Financial Management (GLOA/APW/POs)
Oversee management of GLOAs, APWs and other grant-related contractual arrangements.
Coordinate planning and issuance of Purchase Orders and contractual instruments.
Ensure TORs, budgets, outputs and deliverables are clearly defined and aligned with approved grant requirements.
Review and validate contract documentation prior to processing.
Monitor compliance with approved budgets, funding ceilings and implementation timelines.
E. Deliverables, Performance Monitoring and Reporting
Monitor implementing partner deliverables against approved workplans and timelines.
Review and validate technical and financial reports submitted by implementing partners.
Ensure reports meet quality, completeness and compliance requirements before payment processing.
Monitor payment schedules and ensure payments are linked to verified outputs and deliverables.
Maintain a comprehensive grant reporting calendar and tracking system to monitor reporting obligations, deadlines, clearance requirements and submission status.
F. Monitoring of Payments and Financial Performance
Monitor grant disbursements against approved outputs, milestones and implementation plans.
Identify and escalate implementation delays, budget variances and financial risks.
Ensure consistency and reconciliation between approved workplans, budgets, expenditure reports and disbursement schedules.
Monitor fund utilization to ensure efficient, accurate and compliant use of resources, while proactively identifying underutilization, overutilization, misallocations and implementation delays requiring management attention.
G. PAR Recommendation Implementation
Lead and monitor implementation of PAR recommendations across all implementing partners.
Ensure corrective actions identified through reviews, audits and spot checks are implemented and institutionalized across the grant portfolio.
Maintain a centralized corrective action tracker that includes risk ratings, responsible owners, timelines, status updates and means of verification (MoV).
H. Reporting and Governance
Provide regular implementation updates to WHO Country Office Management and relevant governance structures.
Prepare consolidated reports covering implementation progress, risks and mitigation measures, compliance status and key performance indicators.
Coordinate and support timely submission of all Pandemic Fund reporting requirements.
Ensure timely submissions to the Steering Committee for the Single-Country Grant and the Programme Development Unit (PDU) for the Multi-Country Grant.
Support governance meetings through preparation of briefing materials, presentations, action trackers and decision logs.
Expected deliverables
Consolidated implementation tracker for both Pandemic Fund grants.
PAR/QAR recommendation tracker with clear means of verification.
Quarterly implementing partner performance and compliance reports.
Quality assurance framework and monitoring dashboards.
GLOA/APW/PO tracking and monitoring tools.
Periodic briefing notes and management updates.
Comprehensive reporting calendar and submission tracker.
Fund utilization dashboard and exception reports highlighting implementation progress, expenditure trends, risks and corrective actions.
Consolidated governance and reporting package for Steering Committee and PDU submissions.
Educational qualifications
Essential: Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in Public Health, Health Systems Management, Project Management, Business Administration, Finance, Health Economics, Epidemiology, International Development or a related field.
Desirable: Additional training or certification in project management, grant management, monitoring and evaluation, risk management, quality assurance or donor-funded programme management.
Experience
Essential: At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project management, programme coordination, grant management, public health programme implementation or related fields.
Demonstrated experience managing donor-funded programmes and coordinating multiple stakeholders.
Experience in monitoring and evaluation, compliance oversight, financial management and reporting.
Desirable: Experience with the Pandemic Fund, Global Fund, Gavi, World Bank, UN agencies or similar donor-funded programmes.
Desirable: Experience working with WHO and implementing partner management.
Desirable: Experience conducting quality assurance reviews, assessments, audits or compliance monitoring.
Skills/Knowledge
Strong project and programme management skills.
Knowledge of donor-funded programme implementation and governance.
Knowledge of risk management, compliance monitoring and quality assurance.
Experience with budget monitoring, financial analysis and contract management.
Strong analytical, report-writing and presentation skills.
Ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and manage competing priorities.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and project tracking tools.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Languages and level required
Excellent written and spoken English is required.
4. Technical Supervision
The consultant will be based at the WHO South Africa Country Office and will report directly to the Team Lead, Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative.
The consultant will work closely with technical units, the Country Support Unit, implementing partners, government counterparts, third-party assurance providers, the Single-Country Grant Steering Committee and the Programme Development Unit supporting the Multi-Country Grant.
5. Location
On site: WHO South Africa Country Office, Pretoria, South Africa.
Off site: Not applicable unless authorized by WHO.
On site for insurance purposes: WHO South Africa Country Office, Pretoria, South Africa.
6. Travel - If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required
The consultant may be required to undertake duty travel within South Africa and, where necessary, internationally in support of implementing partner reviews, quality assurance missions, spot checks, stakeholder consultations, governance meetings, monitoring visits, workshops and programme implementation activities.
Specific travel dates, locations and purposes will be determined and authorized in accordance with WHO policies and procedures.
7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)
Rate: Monthly remuneration.
Currency: USD or ZAR, in accordance with WHO consultant remuneration guidelines and approved budget provisions.
Work schedule: Full-time.
Remuneration will be determined in accordance with WHO consultancy rates, experience, qualifications and approved Pandemic Fund budget provisions. Travel costs are excluded and will be separately authorized in accordance with WHO rules and procedures.