Technical Officer (WHO Collaborating Centers)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Under GPW14, the Department of Science for Health aims to strengthen the capacity of the World Health Organization and its Member States to harness science and innovation to improve the lives of all people, with a focus on the most vulnerable; to anticipate how scientific breakthroughs can transform global health; and to strengthen the research ecosystem by bringing the highest standards of science, research, and ethics to the development of quality norms and standards across all three levels of WHO, based on the health needs of people.

The Research and Ethics Ecosystem Strengthening (REE) Unit advances this goal by strengthening research governance systems, ethical oversight mechanisms, and institutional research capacities in Member States. It works with stakeholder networks, WHO Collaborating Centres, and technical programmes across the Organization to benchmark, strengthen capacity, and monitor progress within national and global research ecosystems. The Unit contributes to ensuring that research is ethical, responsive, and translatable into evidence-informed decision-making that addresses the needs of all populations.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Provide technical and programme management support to the Global Focal Point for WHO Collaborating Centres, including coordination, monitoring and implementation of corporate initiatives related to the WHO Collaborating Centre network;
• Coordinate and strengthen networks of WHO Collaborating Centres across technical programmes, regional offices and external institutions, fostering collaboration and promoting alignment with WHO priorities and strategic objectives;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of innovative partnership approaches for WHO Collaborating Centres, including regional and thematic networks, twinning arrangements and other models to enhance technical collaboration and capacity strengthening;
• Plan, coordinate and evaluate global and regional meetings, consultations and forums involving WHO Collaborating Centres, ensuring effective communication, stakeholder engagement, reporting and follow-up actions;
• Analyse, synthesize and disseminate information relating to WHO Collaborating Centres and prepare technical reports, briefing notes, presentations, workplans, monitoring frameworks, training materials and other knowledge products for internal and external stakeholders;
• Provide technical guidance and quality assurance for the designation, redesignation and monitoring of WHO Collaborating Centres, ensuring compliance with applicable policies, procedures and governance requirements;
• Identify, analyse and recommend improvements to governance processes, digital platforms, monitoring systems and knowledge-management approaches to strengthen the effectiveness, efficiency and strategic alignment of WHO Collaborating Centre networks;
• Lead the collection, analysis and reporting of WHO Collaborating Centre contributions to GPW14 objectives and prepare annual analytical reports to support evidence-based decision-making and strategic planning;
• Contribute to the implementation, monitoring and reporting of governing bodies' resolutions, decisions and strategic initiatives relevant to the Department of Science for Health, including coordination with internal and external stakeholders;

Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Education

Essential : A first-level university degree in public health, political science, social sciences, international relations, communications, public administration, organizational management, management studies, business administration or another field relevant to partnership, governance or programme management.

Desirable : Advanced university degree in one of the above fields.

Experience

Essential : At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme management, governance, partnership coordination, institutional networking, stakeholder engagement, external relations or implementation of international health initiatives, including experience in an international or multilateral environment.

Desirable : Experience in the coordination of global or regional events, consultations or networks at WHO or with other international partners. Knowledge of WHO policies, procedures and governance processes would be an asset.

Skills

• Excellent ability to coordinate technical partnerships, analyse complex information, prepare high-quality technical and strategic materials, manage workplans and stakeholder processes, and identify practical solutions to strengthen programme delivery and institutional collaboration.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results

Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential : Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable : Intermediate 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 71,335 (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 5011 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.
• 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 eManual.
• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.
• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
• 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 final candidates.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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