Liaison Officer

Vacancy Notice No: AFRO/14/FT219 Title: Liaison Officer Grade: NO-D Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  12 Months	Date: 2 May 2014 Application Deadline: 1 June 2014 Duty Station:  Port Louis, Mauritius   Organization unit: AF_SSR AF South-East Sub-Region (AF_SSR) / AF_MUS Mauritius (AF_MUS)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The goal of WHO's country presence is to enable the entire Organization to develop a two-way collaboration by supporting a country in reaching its national health goals and contributing to global and regional public health action, and to draw on the experience of the country in building a body of public health knowledge that can benefit the rest of the world; to support the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national Health for all strategies; to develop and manage, at country level, the Organization's Programme of technical cooperation and coordinate the Organization's activities with those of other bodies and with the Government's National Health Programme.
Description of duties: In the exercise of his/her responsibilities in Mauritius as WHO Liaison Officer, the incumbent will work under the authority and direct supervision of the Regional Director using the following terms of reference: a)Keep the Government fully informed of the scope and type of cooperation which the Organization is in a position to make available; b)Keep the Regional Director informed of all facts and developments which concern the Organization and its cooperation with the Government; c)Assist, when requested to do so by the Government, in analyzing health needs and resources and also in planning, implementing and evaluating the national public health programmes; d)Participate, as required, in the preparation of the Government requests for technical cooperation with WHO and other agencies, particularly in the preparation of the draft country programme statement for the programme and budget proposals; e)Keep the Government informed on the resolutions of World Health Assembly and the Executive Board, communications from the Director-General and decisions of the Regional Director concerning WHO which affect WHO activities in the country; f)Coordinate WHO activities with those of other Organizations and agencies and particularly with those of the United Nations and specialized agencies; g)Prepare and update the country's profile data sheets and participate in other UN Country Team activities related to national programming; h)Establish contact with all country's institutions and associations concerned with health; i)Maintain contact with local public information media and where appropriate with United Nations Information Centre in order to enhance the adequate and accuracy of coverage of the Organization; j)Negotiate and sign Plans of Operations and relevant addenda on behalf of the Regional Director, on condition that the test of such Plans of Operations and addenda have met with Regional Director's specific approval; k)Sign agreements with UN and bilateral agencies on specific instructions from the Regional Director; l)Ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for the proper, efficient and effective use of Global Management System (GSM) with regards to human resources, finance, Property & Equipment, inventories and other day-to-day activities implementation; and m) Act as coordinator of WHO activities in the country.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: University degree in health-related or social sciences with a post-graduate academic degree in public health, or other health related specialities.
Skills:  Competence as public Health Administrator; Intimate knowledge of WHO policy and programmes; highly developed oral and written communication skills; Demonstrated skills in advocacy, negotiations and diplomacy, analytical judgment, managing conflict and stress; Demonstrated ability to supervise staff, excellent interpersonal skills, adaptability to people and situations in a cross-cultural context
Experience: A minimum of 10 years of relevant, progressively responsible work experience, including: Extensive experience at a senior management level in a national health administration or its equivalent; and several years' direct working experience with WHO. Experience with other international organization. Working experience in developing countries.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of English or French with good working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of Portuguese would be an advantage
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
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