Pandemic Fund Coordinator

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 promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, WHO plays a crucial role in coordinating global health responses, providing technical assistance, and setting health standards. The organization is dedicated to building resilient health systems and enhancing global health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, particularly in the face of emerging health threats and pandemics.

Job Overview:
The Pandemic Fund Coordinator is a pivotal role within WHO, tasked with advancing the organization's efforts in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR). This position involves overseeing the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of projects funded by the Pandemic Fund, ensuring alignment with WHO guidelines and national health strategies. The coordinator will lead the development of multi-country and regional proposals, ensuring they are technically sound and meet donor requirements. This role requires close collaboration with WHO headquarters, regional offices, and country teams, as well as engagement with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to maximize the impact of pandemic preparedness initiatives. The coordinator will also be responsible for stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and resource mobilization, representing WHO in technical discussions and high-level dialogues to advocate for stronger health security frameworks. Additionally, the role includes onboarding and capacity-building efforts to equip project teams for high-quality results, thereby enhancing WHO's ability to respond to health emergencies and build resilient health systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Project Coordination & Implementation: Collaborate with HEP/PAM to coordinate the two streams of Pandemic Fund work in AFRO, ensuring effective implementation of both single country and regional/multi-country proposals. Manage the Pandemic Fund coordination unit and supervise Project Management Officers (PMO). Facilitate smooth execution of project activities in collaboration with WHO country offices and government counterparts. Ensure cohesive communication across WHO's headquarters, regional offices, and country offices.
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting: Establish and maintain a robust Monitoring, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system. Track project progress against key performance indicators and milestones, providing regular updates to WHO leadership and stakeholders. Contribute to the development of progress reports and impact assessments to inform decision-making.
• Proposal Development & Coordination: Lead the development of multi-country and regional entity proposals for the Pandemic Fund, overseeing the drafting, review, and finalization processes to ensure quality and compliance with donor requirements.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Management: Foster collaboration with governments, multilateral organizations, and NGOs to enhance the impact of initiatives. Promote WHO's pandemic fund implementation efforts to relevant audiences, enhancing visibility and stakeholder engagement.
• Represent WHO in Technical Meetings & Strategic Discussions: Act as WHO’s focal point in technical meetings and high-level discussions, advocating for WHO’s priorities and ensuring alignment with global health security goals.
• Supervision and Onboarding: Develop an onboarding process for new team members, providing training and mentorship to ensure they acquire necessary skills. Conduct regular performance evaluations and capacity-building initiatives.
• Resource Mobilization & Advocacy: Identify funding opportunities to enhance multi-country and regional PPR efforts. Develop advocacy materials to highlight the importance of collaboration in pandemic preparedness.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, International Relations, Health Policy, or a related field. Desirable qualifications include a PhD in one of the aforementioned fields. Candidates must demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in teams. Proven expertise in project management and stakeholder engagement is essential, particularly in emergency or humanitarian settings.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, International Relations, Health Policy, or a related field. A PhD in one of these fields is desirable and would enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of experience managing public health programs or operations, preferably within African contexts. This experience should include a strong focus on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and policy development in emergency or humanitarian settings. Proven expertise in project management, including the ability to oversee multiple projects and ensure timely delivery of outcomes, is essential.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. A working knowledge of French is considered an asset and would be beneficial for engaging with a broader range of stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. The role is critical for enhancing WHO's pandemic preparedness efforts and may include opportunities for professional development and capacity building. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with WHO's organizational standards.