UN Volunteer Specialist

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's mission is to lead global efforts to achieve better health for all. With a presence in 150+ locations and collaboration with 194 member countries, WHO addresses various health challenges, including emerging epidemics like COVID-19 and chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The organization aims to ensure that everyone, everywhere has an equal chance at a safe and healthy life, working tirelessly to improve health systems and promote health equity.

Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the Registrar General’s Department in Sri Lanka by accelerating the digital modernization of civil registration systems and enhancing the implementation of the OneRegistry initiative. This position is integral to national efforts aimed at improving service delivery, enhancing data quality, and promoting interoperable digital systems that facilitate evidence-based planning and citizen-centered services. The Specialist will collaborate closely with government officials, technical teams, and partners such as WHO and UNDP to ensure effective coordination, timely implementation, and accurate reporting of program activities. The role requires a proactive approach to managing relationships with various stakeholders and ensuring that the objectives of the initiative are met efficiently and effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The UN Volunteer Specialist will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Implementation and Operational Coordination: - Assist in the day-to-day coordination of program activities related to the modernization of civil registration systems between WHO, UNDP, and the Registrar General’s Department. - Support follow-up on activity plans, timelines, and deliverables to ensure timely implementation. - Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate operational processes and address implementation challenges.
• Support to Digitalization and Modernization Processes: - Contribute to administrative and technical tasks related to the digital transformation of civil registration processes. - Support documentation, tracking, and consolidation of technical inputs related to system development, workflow redesign, and process improvements. - Assist in coordinating consultations, technical meetings, demonstrations, and capacity-building sessions related to digitalization.
• Coordination and Monitoring of OneRegistry Project Activities: - Support the planning, coordination, and monitoring of activities under the OneRegistry initiative. - Facilitate communication with stakeholders, including ministries, development partners, and technical agencies. - Assist in preparing progress updates, monitoring matrices, and briefing materials.
• Documentation, Reporting, and Knowledge Management: - Support the preparation of technical notes, meeting minutes, reports, and knowledge products. - Assist in documenting lessons learned, best practices, and capacity-building outcomes. - Contribute inputs to donor reports, program updates, and presentations as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess strong technical expertise in health systems, digital transformation, and project management. They should demonstrate a positive attitude towards work, effective teamwork skills, and excellent communication abilities. Respect for and promotion of individual and cultural differences are essential values for this role. The ideal candidate should also have experience in liaising with government officials and stakeholders in the health sector.

Educational Background:
A degree in public health, health informatics, social sciences, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in health systems or digital health would be an advantage. Candidates should have a solid understanding of civil registration systems and digitalization processes.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant experience in health systems, project management, or digital transformation initiatives. Experience working with governmental and non-governmental organizations, particularly in the health sector, is highly desirable. Familiarity with civil registration systems and the OneRegistry initiative will be considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, both written and spoken. Knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil would be an advantage, as it would facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the role.

Additional Notes:
This is a national UN Volunteer assignment, and the selected candidate will be responsible for arranging their own housing and living essentials. The position is based in Colombo, which is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. The climate is generally temperate, with high humidity and seasonal monsoons. The UN Volunteer will receive entitlements as per the duty station, and further details can be found on the UNV website.