Senior Technical Officer, Pandemic Fund Secretariat

Organizational Context

The WHO Health Emergencies Programme aims to safeguard global health security by enhancing countries' capacity to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to health emergencies, including building resilient health systems and advancing surveillance. This role, based in Washington D.C., supports the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) of the Pandemic Fund, acting as the technical health lead and managing WHO staff within this critical global health initiative.

Job Purpose

The Senior Technical Officer's primary purpose is to serve as the technical health lead for the Pandemic Fund's Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), hosted by the World Bank in Washington D.C., and to manage WHO staff supporting this initiative. This role is instrumental in advancing global health security by strengthening countries' capacities to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to a wide array of health emergencies. The incumbent provides critical expert advice and strategic support to the TAP, ensuring the development of coherent workplans, the completion of robust assessment reports, and the timely delivery of key outputs. They offer senior executive-level support, facilitating effective communication and liaison with the Pandemic Fund Secretariat and Implementing Entities' senior management. A significant contribution involves providing thought leadership in infectious disease and health system strengthening, guiding strategic decision-making, and ensuring the TAP's functions are coordinated and aligned with the overarching governance framework to achieve the Pandemic Fund's objectives.

Responsibilities

The Senior Technical Officer provides comprehensive support and expert advice to the Pandemic Fund's Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), serving as the technical health lead and managing associated WHO staff. Key duties include overseeing the technical preparation of coherent workplans and periodic assessment reports, and offering senior executive-level support to ensure timely output delivery and effective communication with the Pandemic Fund Secretariat and Implementing Entities' senior management on strategic and programmatic issues. The role involves providing critical thought leadership in infectious disease and health system strengthening, guiding strategic decision-making for the TAP's Governing Board through the preparation of data, analysis, and recommendations for technical program initiatives. Furthermore, the incumbent is responsible for convening and coordinating TAP working groups, including the preparation of agendas and background documents, and monitoring implementation levels to provide qualitative feedback and ensure necessary follow-up actions. They provide technical advice to TAP leadership on expert selection, manage the TAP's budget and oversee financial resource allocation, and prepare amendments to its terms of reference, documenting gaps and lessons learned for future improvements. The officer ensures all TAP operations and functions are properly coordinated and aligned with its governance framework, and provides essential technical and operational support to the Pandemic Fund Secretariat, contributing to funding round design, Call for Proposals guidance, strategic documents, and planning.

Work Experience

Essential: Minimum ten years in public health (national/international), including executive support, management, or public health programs, providing technical guidance to senior decision-makers. At least three years supporting infectious disease responses in resource-limited settings. Proven experience advising within a technical secretariat and international experience with WHO or UN organizations. Desirable: Experience in international partner coordination, program M&E, project management, developing guidelines, and managing data systems.

Skills

Technical assistance and capacity building for health systems. Developing and implementing preparedness/institutional readiness programs. Leadership in planning and coordinating multidisciplinary public health programs. Strong knowledge of WHO mandate and PPR context. Ability to adapt, develop, and produce operational documents. Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in administrative processes and computer applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word). Demonstrated initiative, ownership, accountability, and teamwork. Tact and diplomacy in external partner relations. Essential: Expert English. Desirable: Intermediate French.

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