Program Management Officer- Single Country Projects - (2601287) at World Health Organization

Summary of assigned duties:

The incumbent is assigned to all of the following responsibilities, which are performed as needed:

Project management support, coordination and compliance & risk management

• Develop and improve project management tools and resources to meet the needs of the projects.
• Lead the onboarding of new projects ensuring they are set for success (i.e. onboarding package and sessions)
• Establish and maintain a consolidated tracking mechanism for assigned single country Pandemic Fund projects, capturing milestones, expenditures, deliverables, and risks.
• Support projects to submit post-approval changes to the pandemic fund secretariat.
• Act as the focal point between countries, the regional office and HQ on single country project management
• Consolidate weekly updates for all projects for the attention of the AFRO senior management
• Connecting projects with the appropriate resources at regional and HQ levels in terms of procurement, M&E, communication, and budget and finance.
• Support risk identification and mitigation planning at both country and portfolio levels.
• Provide guidance to ensure timely reporting, alignment with Fund priorities, and adherence to WHO procedures

Country capacity building and delivery support

• Support in building the capacity of each project team in project management and in the use of existing tools and resources at AFRO and HQ.
• Support technical leads in the countries in operationalizing workplans, ensuring synergy across components (surveillance, laboratories, workforce, emergency operations, etc.).
• Provide input into technical missions, workshops, and capacity-building activities.
• Track country progress against results frameworks and performance indicators in coordination with the M&E focal points.
• Support the review and validation of country deliverables and progress reports to the Pandemic Fund and WHO as an IE.

Governance, Reporting, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate preparation of portfolio-level briefs and updates for governance bodies (e.g., Pandemic Fund Steering Committee, WHO internal boards).
• Synthesize technical and financial inputs for semi-annual and annual reports.
• Liaise with regional and country offices to ensure alignment and information flow.
• Support workshop planning, facilitation, and follow-up to strengthen cross-country learning.

Community of Practice and Strategic Knowledge Management

• Establish and operationalize the community of practice for the pandemic fund in AFRO
• Facilitate bi-monthly coordination meetings with country focal points.
• Document lessons learned, best practices, and innovations from implementation.
• Contribute to the development of guidance, templates, and standard operating procedures for portfolio management.
• Maintain a repository of tools, reports, and knowledge products for cross-country learning.

RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Competencies

• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Efficient use of resources
• Fostering integration and teamwork

Functional Skills and Knowledge

• Strong problem-solving skills, demonstrated through the ability to identify challenges, gather and analyse complex data, build strategic models, and provide well-founded recommendations to enhance project outcomes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively present in meetings, draft comprehensive report, and create strategic presentations. The officer should engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and health partners at national, regional, and international levels.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in teams, fostering cooperation, developing team members promoting a constructive team environment that values teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Education (Qualifications)

Essential:

• University degree in public health, health policy, management, or international development.

Experience

Essential:

• At least five (5) in managing public health programs or operations, preferably in African contexts, with 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, manage risks, and ensure timely delivery of outcomes. This includes managing project work, coordinating teams, and reporting to higher-level management.
• Strong interpersonal, diplomatic, and organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to engage and coordinate with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Successful facilitation of capacity-building session
• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• High standards of integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Capacity to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.

Desirable:

• Prior experience working with the United Nations, the Pandemic Fund, World Bank, or similar mechanisms is an asset