Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 10 Dec 2017
Provide the necessary design, management, planning, coordination, and implementation of the operational partnership development strategies of the Operations Support and Logistics (OSL) unit, in addition to providing interdepartmental support and liaison efforts with other units in the Health Emergency Programme (WHE) and WHO based on the overall vision and direction of the OSL Lead.
- Background
The WHO is currently developing and implementing an emergency response operational support and logistics capability. The Ebola crisis in West Africa exposed the international community’s lack of capacity to respond to health emergency outbreaks, and as a response, the WHO has been mandated to reform its emergency response activities, build the proper capacity, and become a leader in public health based emergency responses. The Operational Support and Logistics unit (OSL) is a critical component of the emergency response efforts of the WHO. Furthermore, as the WHE and Emergency Operations (EMO) scales its operational capacity, the design and development of strategic partnerships is critical to the operational model of OSL and across the WHE.
- Work to be performed
The Partnership Consultant will provide the necessary strategic design, management, planning, coordination, and implementation of the operational partnerships of the OSL based on the overall vision and direction of the OSL Lead. Reporting directly to the OSL Lead, s/he will work across the OSL and its organizational functionalities and across the 3 levels of the WHO. He will support OSL capacity building efforts by collaborating with various units within WHO, including Legal, Finance, GMG, WHE, and External Relations.
Summary of Assigned Duties • Support and advise on the strategy, design and implementation of the partnership opportunities for each unit (and by extension EMO and WHE leadership). This includes external partners such as UN agencies, international NGOs, and private sector as necessary, in addition to supporting the collaboration with the Pandemic Supply Chain Network, the Global Health Security Agenda, and the OSL Network. • Support and advise OSL on the development of policies and workplans while coordinating with various units within WHO, including Legal, Program Management, and Finance. This may include timely integration of OSL policies and technical material in the e-manual and other relevant platforms to disseminate OSL standards and methods. This will be done in coordination with WHO units as part of OSL’s overall development, strategic planning and project management. • Support and advise on new initiatives that could provide operational scalability, sustainability, and impact for OSL with regards to its partnerships and operating needs. This may include, donor proposals, negotiations, and securing of funding and implementation of new financing mechanisms.
• Support and advise on the development of an appropriate communications strategy and platform to ensure a strategic awareness of OSL internally to the WHO and with external partners.
Deliverables • Structure of draft agreements with WFP, UNICEF, HHS and other partners as applicable. • Agreement and operationalization of WHE’s role in the Pandemic Supply Chain Network. • Regularly scheduled project management reports, workplans, OSL policies disseminated via the e-manual and updates describing the progress of OSL’s capacity building. • The organization and launch of at least two workshops/consultations involving partners within the OSL Network. • Launch of OSL’s communications platform
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS Qualifications required: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Business, Management, international relations, development studies or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Experience required: At least 10 years of experience in partnership development, project management, programme management or related area, such as business development or strategic planning.
Skills / Technical skills and knowledge: • Excellent interpersonal skills • Excellent analytical and drafting skills • Financial management skills • Organizational skills • Ability to work independently and flexibly • Demonstrated knowledge and competency in business planning and strategy pertaining to humanitarian, development, and/or logistics affairs • Ability to organize and manage different team players and working groups across multi-disciplinary functions • Ability to forge internal and external partnerships to ensure appropriate capacity for project completion • Comfort working in a UN environment and private sector context • Proven ability to multi-task across planning and management in a highly demanding and unpredictable environment • Ability to take work with little supervision and independently while pursuing overall team objectives
Language requirements: Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. French (both oral and written) is an asset.
How to apply:
Detailed CV and cover letters to be sent to Egle LORENZIN at lorenzine@who.int before 10 DEC 2017. Applications received after the deadline will not be taken into consideration.