Consultant - Pandemic Fund -WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE)

Organizational Context

The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) in the Western Pacific Region manages the region's largest Pandemic Fund project, a $36 million multi-country initiative involving twelve nations. This project aims to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response systems, anchored in the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework. It requires harmonized program management support across multiple WHO Country Offices, the Regional Office, and national counterparts, with added complexity due to diversified funding management.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide comprehensive project management, coordination, monitoring, and operational support for the multi-country Pandemic Fund award in the Western Pacific Region. This role is crucial for ensuring the timely, effective, and compliant implementation of the 'Data to Action: Stronger Western Pacific Pandemic Preparedness & Response Systems' project. The consultant will facilitate collaboration among participating countries, implementing entities (ADB, AIIB, FAO), and WHO offices, manage project risks and issues, and ensure alignment with project workplans and timelines. The role contributes to building more resilient and responsive pandemic preparedness systems across the region, supporting key outputs such as interoperable surveillance platforms and enhanced workforce capacities.

Responsibilities

Facilitate the end-to-end coordination of the multi-country Pandemic Fund project, ensuring alignment with approved workplans and timelines. Establish and maintain project management systems, including filing structures, workplan tracking, and documentation repositories. Plan and coordinate key project milestones, such as kick-off and coordination meetings. Facilitate regular communication and coordination with participating countries, implementing entities (AIIB, ADB, FAO), and partners, consolidating outputs, decisions, and action points. Monitor implementation progress, identify risks and bottlenecks across countries and technical areas, and escalate issues requiring management attention. Provide technical guidance on monitoring the Pandemic Fund portfolio, serving as the Regional Focal Point and engaging in global coordination mechanisms. Maintain oversight of multi- and single-country grants, tracking progress, milestones, and cross-cutting issues. Facilitate information flow and coordination across WHO Country Offices, the Regional Office, Headquarters, and external partners. Identify systemic risks and opportunities for alignment across the portfolio, offering strategic advice to enhance implementation coherence. Track implementation progress and financial performance, including milestone delivery and fund utilization. Facilitate the consolidation of country-level data for reporting to implementing entities and the Pandemic Fund Secretariat. Support WHO Country Offices in meeting reporting requirements, ensuring the quality of technical and financial documentation.

Work Experience

Essential: Minimum of five years of experience in project or budget management at national and international levels within public health or public health emergency management. Desirable: Experience with WHO or other UN agencies, international experience in public health emergency response, and familiarity with Pandemic Fund projects and award management.

Skills

Understanding of the Pandemic Fund and WHO/UN budget management. Experience managing large-scale multi-country projects and international stakeholders. Proficiency in developing donor and WHO/UN reports. Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and coordinate report writing with international partners. Strong analytical, critical thinking, and organizational skills. Expert knowledge of English.

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