Project Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. WHO's work includes addressing health emergencies, improving health systems, and advancing universal health coverage, among other public health initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer will play a crucial role in the Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance (WES) initiative, which is vital for detecting silent transmission of the polio virus and supporting broader public health surveillance activities. This position is particularly significant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, where timely detection of pathogens is essential. The Project Officer will be responsible for providing operational, coordination, and logistical support for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and quality improvement of WES activities funded by the Pandemic Fund. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Planning: Assist in developing a comprehensive implementation plan for WES, support the execution of WES activities under the Pandemic Fund, and help create tools, guides, standard operating procedures (SOPs), data flow mechanisms, and reporting templates. Organize and conduct stakeholder meetings relevant to the implementation of the WES component.
• Logistics: Support the procurement, installation, and maintenance of necessary infrastructure and equipment, such as sampling devices, cold chain transport containers, and laboratory equipment, identified before or during project implementation.
• Capacity Building and Technical Guidance: Facilitate the organization of WES-related training programs for field teams and laboratory personnel, focusing on sampling, biosafety, and data management.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Assist in developing performance indicators and a monitoring framework for WES activities, and regularly review the progress of the WES implementation plan, including key milestones and activities.
• Coordination, Reporting, and Financial Oversight: Coordinate activities across multiple sectors to ensure smooth progress of WES implementation, proactively identify bottlenecks and challenges, and track implementation progress, expenditure, and timelines against the approved budget and work plan. Contribute to periodic progress and financial reports for the Pandemic Fund, Ministry of Health, funding partners, and stakeholders.

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

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

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes essential completion of secondary school education with GCE (A/L) in the biological sciences stream and a certificate in Project Management or Business Administration. A bachelor's degree in health sciences, public health, veterinary sciences, environmental sciences, or a related discipline is desirable and will enhance the candidate's qualifications.

Experience:
The position requires at least 3 years of work experience as a Project Officer or in a similar role. Candidates with experience in the Government Sector or with UN/International Organizations will be preferred. Familiarity with the UN system, grant funding, and monitoring and evaluation processes is also desirable.

Languages:
The mandatory language skills include expert knowledge of English and a local language (Sinhala or Tamil). Fluency in English and Sinhala is required, while knowledge of Tamil will be considered an added advantage.

Additional Notes:
The position offers an annual salary at G4- Step 1, along with other benefits such as health insurance through CIGNA Insurance, annual leave of 2.5 days per month, sick leave of 7 days per year, and WHO holidays. This vacancy is open to Sri Lankan Nationals of all genders, and qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. The WHO is committed to workforce diversity and maintains a smoke-free environment, not recruiting smokers or other tobacco users. Note that qualified candidates will be evaluated and interviewed, and due to the high volume of applications, individual acknowledgments may not be possible.