Project Assistant – Pandemic Preparedness and Response (One Health)

Job Posting Organization:
The Ministry of Health, through the Epidemiology Unit, is responsible for coordinating national pandemic preparedness and response activities under the Pandemic Fund. This organization aims to enhance national capacities for prevention, preparedness, and response to pandemic threats by integrating human, animal, and environmental health sectors. The Ministry operates within the framework of the One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of these sectors to strengthen surveillance, early warning systems, outbreak investigation, and coordinated response mechanisms. The organization is committed to improving surveillance systems and multisectoral coordination, ensuring that data integration across One Health sectors is prioritized. The Ministry of Health plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health and is dedicated to enhancing the overall health infrastructure in Sri Lanka.

Job Overview:
The Project Assistant will play a vital role in supporting the planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting of pandemic-related activities under the Pandemic Fund. This position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including human health, animal health, wildlife, and environmental health sectors. The Project Assistant will assist in operationalizing One Health activities and ensure that pandemic preparedness and response initiatives are executed effectively. The role involves monitoring implementation progress against approved work plans, timelines, and budgets, while also identifying and flagging any challenges that may arise during the execution of these activities. The Project Assistant will be responsible for maintaining accurate records of all activities and preparing periodic progress reports that highlight achievements, challenges, and actionable recommendations. This position is essential for ensuring that the Ministry of Health can respond effectively to pandemic threats and improve the overall health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security of the nation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project Management: Support the planning, implementation, and day-to-day coordination of Pandemic Fund-supported activities related to pandemic preparedness and response. Assist in operationalizing One Health activities in collaboration with human health, animal health, wildlife, and environmental health stakeholders. Coordinate with relevant ministries, departments, provincial and district-level officers, and technical partners to ensure the timely execution of planned activities. Monitor implementation progress against approved work plans, timelines, and budgets, and flag implementation challenges, providing periodic updates and reminders to supervisors.
• Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate communication and coordination among One Health stakeholders involved in pandemic preparedness and response activities. Support the organization of meetings, workshops, trainings, and joint review sessions related to pandemic preparedness and One Health initiatives. Ensure follow-up on actions arising from technical meetings, reviews, and stakeholder consultations.
• Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all Pandemic Fund-supported pandemic preparedness and response activities. Prepare periodic progress reports, including activity status, achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations. Support the preparation of technical and financial documentation required for audits, evaluations, and donor reporting. Compile data and information required for national and international reporting related to pandemic preparedness indicators.
• Administrative and Technical Support: Provide administrative and logistical support for field activities, trainings, and multisectoral engagements. Assist in documenting best practices and evidence generated through pandemic preparedness and response activities. Perform any other related duties assigned by the Epidemiology Unit relevant to pandemic preparedness and One Health activities.

Required Qualifications:
Essential: Completion of secondary school education - GCE (A/L) in the biological sciences stream. Certificate in Project Management/ Business Administration. Desirable: A bachelor’s degree in health sciences, public health, veterinary sciences, environmental sciences, or a related discipline. Previous experience working as a Project Officer or in a similar role will be considered an added qualification.

Educational Background:
Essential: Completion of secondary school education - GCE (A/L) in the biological sciences stream. Certificate in Project Management/ Business Administration. Desirable: A bachelor’s degree in health sciences, public health, veterinary sciences, environmental sciences, or a related discipline.

Experience:
Essential: At least 3 years of work experience as a Project Officer or in a similar role. Desirable: Experience in working with the Government Sector and/or another UN/International Organizations. Familiarity with the UN system, grant funding, policies, and monitoring and evaluation.

Languages:
Mandatory: Expert knowledge of English and expert knowledge of a local language (Sinhala or Tamil). Good to have: Knowledge of Tamil will be an added advantage.

Additional Notes:
Annual Salary: G4- Step

• WHO offers locally competitive packages such as health insurance through CIGNA Insurance, annual leave of 2.5 days per month, sick leave (7 days per year), and WHO holidays. Note: Qualified candidates will be evaluated and interviewed. Due to the large volume of applications normally received, applications cannot be acknowledged individually. This vacancy is open to Sri Lankan Nationals (all genders), and qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade/level. WHO is committed to workforce diversity and any attempt to unduly influence WHO’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or other tobacco users.