External Relations and Partnerships Officer

Mission and objectivesThe World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations Public Health Organization established in 1948. The objective of the World Health Organization shall be the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. World Health Organization achieves its goals by performing its essential functions: 1. Take a leadership role in key health issues and create partnerships when joint action is needed; 2. Set research priorities and encourage the acquisition, application and dissemination of useful knowledge; 3. Setting standards and criteria and encouraging and monitoring them; 4. Develop ethical and evidence-based policies 5. Provide technical support, be an agent of change and build institutional capacity in a sustainable way; 6. Monitor health status and assess health trends.

ContextWHO is the directing and coordinating agency for health within the United Nations System and operates at three levels: global, regional and country. The WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), in collaboration with Inter-country Support Teams, provides technical assistance, guidance and coordination to, and for 46 countries in the African region. AFRO fosters synergies with international partners and global and regional health initiatives. The mission of the Partnership and Resource Mobilization Unit is to mobilize political will and resources, build strategic alliances and partnerships, manage external relations, coordinate the work of the Regional Committee and enhance the contributions of delegations of the African Region to the work of WHO’s Governing Bodies in support of the achievement of regional health goals. The unit manages WHO/AFRO’s relationship with the international community by contributing to the positioning of the Organization’s regional health priorities into the agenda of the African and international community. The External Relations Officer will work as part of a team in the Partnership and Resource Mobilization Unit to assist in, facilitate and support efforts to mobilize in-kind and financial resources and build an effective service for external relations in WHO’s Regional Office for Africa. More particularly, this will comprise pro-active resource mobilization, grant management; building regional and international partnerships and support the work of the WHO Governing Bodies in AFRO.

Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of Coordinator, External Relations, Partnerships, and Governing Bodies Unit (EPG), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Undertake donor research; produce and update donor profiles; contribute to the AFRO Resource Mobilization and External Relations Share-point; and assist in establishing and maintaining good relations with existing and potential donors; • Assist departments and teams in the development of quality proposals, preparation of grant agreements; timely reporting; disbursement requests, no-cost extension and other relevant correspondence as relevant; • Liaise with the Communication, Advocacy and Media Unit in supporting departments and teams to increase visibility of their work vis-à-vis the donor community; • Provide support on engagement with partners; • Provide support to the work on Governing Bodies including through maintaining a roster of partners and follow-ups with the online registrations; • Support the coordination of the African Health Forum; • Perform any other duties as assigned by the Coordinator, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Unit. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: - Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day) - Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country - Provide annual and end of assignment reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application - Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. - Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers - Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. Results/Expected Outputs • At the end of the assignment, it will be expected that the UNV will have contributed to WHO’s capacity to mobilize and manage financial and in-kind resources to the WHO Regional Office in Africa; as well as have contributed to expand WHO’s African Regions’ network of partners and contributed to the smooth operation of the WHO Governing Bodies in AFRO. The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);

Competencies and values• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Integrity • Professionalism • Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarksA middle-income country, Congo is experiencing a particularly favorable development context with a stabilized macroeconomic framework because of the implementation of ambitious macroeconomic reforms. Economic growth averaged around 6% for over a decade. However, should the current decline in the price of a barrel of petroleum persists, it could hinder this dynamic. Note that the performance at the macro level contrast with the living conditions of populations which remain difficult. Unemployment, particularly among young people remains high and the cost of living is quite high compared to other countries in the sub-region. Food imports account for most of the coverage needs of the population in major cities. Peace and security have improved considerably. However, the Congo has two security levels: • Level 2 in Brazzaville, Pointe - Noire and the Pool department • Level 1 the rest of the territory. The UNV will be based in Brazzaville, the capital city. The city is quiet, everyday life in Brazzaville is safe and one can circulate freely. The food and non-food commodities are available. Medical facilities are up to standard. It is difficult to find a suitable apartment with basic security conditions and water supply. The apartments must be approved by the Department of Safety and Security in Brazzaville. Missions in regions where the beneficiaries are located are organized as needed. The WHO Regional Office is located South on the outskirt of Brazzaville. A shuttle is available to take staff members to and from work at scheduled hours.