Programme Management Officer (PMO JEAP), P2 Brazzaville

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The mission of the WHO/AFRO Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Cluster is to strengthen Member States' capacity to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are exceeded, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and provide effective relief and recovery for affected populations. This mission includes addressing over 100 health emergencies annually across the region, aiming to reduce suffering and save lives in areas impacted by natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and complex crises.

Current EPR priorities focus on building resilient health systems; upholding health security through the International Health Regulations; enhancing integrated disease surveillance and response; and ensuring reliable health information and evidence are available to guide decision-making, especially during emergencies.

The Cluster is advancing the Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies (2022-2030), which was endorsed at the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa. This strategy mandates Member States to achieve 12 targets by 2030, strengthening their preparedness, detection, and response capacities for present and future health emergencies. To support Member States, three flagship initiatives have been launched (2022-2026), promoting a Member States-led, whole-of-government, and whole-of-society approach that unites diverse disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally for optimal health outcomes for people, animals, and the environment.

Joint Emergency Preparedness and Response Action Plan (JEAP) To further extend its impact, the WHO AFRO Emergencies Programme joined forces with the WHO EMRO Emergencies Programme and Africa CDC in May 2023 to establish the five-year Joint Emergency Preparedness and Response Action Plan (JEAP), operationalising the Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies 2022–2030 endorsed by African Health Ministers at the 72nd WHO Regional Committee for Africa.

JEAP is now at a critical inflection point. A recent strategic stocktaking exercise has generated recommendations and proposed steps to guide the next phase of the partnership, ensuring it is more focused, relevant, responsive, and impactful in addressing Member States’ evolving needs. This process is being complemented by a mid-term evaluation nearing completion. Together, these mark the transition into a new phase of JEAP — reflecting on progress to date while clarifying priorities, governance, and delivery mechanisms for the future.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Emergency Preparedness & Response (EPR) Cluster is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. Within EPR, the RED’s Office coordinates EPR-related strategic activities at the regional level, including strategy planning, external relations & resource mobilization, external communications, administration & grant management as well as monitoring, evaluation, accountability & learning activities across the EPR

programme areas and countries. The RED’s Office works together and collaborates with colleagues across the EPR Cluster and beyond to contribute to the delivery of the vision/goals of the EPR Cluster.

The Program Management Officer (PMO JEAP) will report to the Programme Management Officer, with secondary supervision from the Regional Emergency Director (RED). The PMO will collaborate closely with the EPR leadership team and technical staff to oversee the entire program cycle for the JEAP. While the officer will take the initiative in generating assignments, they will receive policy guidance and strategic direction from the EPR External Relations officer and RED. Additionally, the officer will lead the Program Management Office (PMO) from the WHO side, offering critical support to the JEAP Secretariat. This role involves daily collaboration with staff from Africa CDC and WHO EMRO.

Program Management Office (PMO) Functions for the JEAP Secretariat

• Facilitate Governance and Management: Oversee the implementation of the JEAP Secretariat's governance and management structures.
• Coordinate Meetings: Prepare and facilitate weekly focal point meetings involving WHO AFRO, WHO EMRO, and Africa CDC, as well as quarterly Steering Committee meetings with senior leadership from these organizations.
• Manage Technical Working Groups (TWGs): Facilitate monthly meetings across six TWGs, ensuring follow-up on workplans to keep them on track.
• Ensure Coordination: Coordinate between TWGs, focal points, and other stakeholders to ensure timely progress on workplan activities.
• Monitor Progress and Reporting: Track JEAP progress, budgets, and workplans, providing regular reports and updates to maintain transparency and accountability.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks to the partnership and assist in developing mitigation strategies.
• Partner Engagement: Support partner engagement by preparing tailored materials, such as decks and talking points, and assisting focal points with strategic planning and decision-making.
• Proposal Development: Assist in developing critical proposals to secure resources.
• Reporting and Event Organization: Support reporting activities for the EPR Cluster and assist in organizing key events.
• Producing communication and knowledge products in collaboration with other PMO members to strengthen visibility, learning, and strategic positioning of the JEAP.
• Technical Liaison: Act as the technical focal point for service providers and consulting firms engaged with the EPR Cluster.

Competencies

WHO Competency model: http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

Teamwork

• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Technical Expertise

Use of Language Skills

Essential : Expert knowledge of English and a working knowledge of French or Expert Knowledge of French with a working knowledge of English

Desirable: Portuguese

Functional Knowledge and Skills

The candidate will have a thorough knowledge of:

• Background and objectives of emergency management programmes, practices, and procedures.
• Exceptional project management skills, including the ability to achieve consensus and chart clear paths forward from ambiguity.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and with a thorough understanding of problem solving approaches.
• Good research and documentation skills especially for best practices in organizational change.
• Proven ability to make recommendations related to work-processing approaches and procedures which would lead to more efficient systems design.
• Exceptional writing skills with the ability to simplify complex ideas without losing critical nuance.
• Strong facilitation skills (i.e., ability to plan and lead brainstorming sessions, workshops, etc.) with senior leaders.
• Skilled communicator comfortable engaging with a variety of stakeholders, from funders to staff members across the organization.

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Education

Essential: First University degree in business administration, information management, public health, epidemiology, economics, international development or life sciences from a recognized university.

Desirable: Certified training in project or programme management or at least 3 years of strategy and management consulting experience.

Essential

At least two (2) years of proven experience in program or project management role at the international level, including experience in public health development and/or emergency management.

Desirable

• Prior work experience within the United Nations System, private sector enterprise, recognized humanitarian organizations, or with an international non-governmental organization.
• Proven experience in program strategy development, including writing and editing a wide range of compelling strategy materials targeting a variety of audiences.

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 56,046 (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 2,120 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

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
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• 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.
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