Project Management Officer - Lyon, France - WHO - World Health Organization

Description

PURPOSE OF POSITION
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization. The objective of the IARC is to promote international collaboration in cancer research.

The role of the Section of Support to Research (SSR) is to support the achievement of IARC's scientific objectives through efficient and effective management of the Agency's resources and provision of administrative services, ensuring accountable risk mitigation and implementing strategies to strengthen capacities and maximize IARC's impact.

The Resource Mobilization and Management Office is a unit within the Budget and Finance Office (BFO), Section of Support to Research (SSR), responsible for providing support to various activities of IARC in respect of voluntary contributions made to IARC research projects through grants and direct funding.

The incumbent guides, coordinates, facilitates and supervises the work done by the following service units under his/her responsibility: Administrative Services Office (ASO), Budget and Finance (BFO) including Resource Mobilisation and Grants Office (RMO), IT services (ITS), Human Resources Office (HRO), the incumbent has advisory responsibility in legal matters as well as managerial and organizational development issues in IARC.

In view of the growing number of complex grants managed at IARC, and after a successful piloting of the position, IARC wants to strengthen and expand its support to the Scientific Branches both at the pre-submission level as well as at the implementation phase of projects, with a Project Management Officer who will perform project management support which includes portfolio maintenance, project development, progress monitoring, methodology compliance, financial compliance verification and support for report preparations.

The incumbent will work with other professionals, to ensure a global and consistent approach to project planning, review, management and monitoring.

The incumbent will provide project management support expertise and services to project managers/business leads in IARC's Scientific Branches.

As a member of a team, and under the direct supervision of the Resource Mobilisation and Grants Officer, the position will allow IARC to monitor and implement the Agency's projects effectively and efficiently.

The incumbent will work with other professionals, to ensure a global and consistent approach to project planning, review, management, and monitoring.

The incumbent will provide project management support expertise and services to project managers/business leads in IARC's Scientific Branches.


DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the direct supervision of the resource mobilization and grants officer, and overall guidance of the Administration and Finance officer, the incumbent is responsible for:

1\) Coordinate IARC Project Management community by:
a) Designing and delivering briefing sessions, training activities and exchanges of best project management practices

b) Maintaining and optimizing central repositories and tracking tools for more efficient projects implementation.

c) Participating in the development of relevant procedures, internal guidelines and templates.

2\) Contribute to the development of a streamlined and effective proposals methodology, in synergy with IARC medium-term strategic objectives.

3\) Work as the primary focal point for all matters related to European Commission "EC" funded projects, this includes:

a) Responding to EC funding mechanisms related questions

b) Keeping abreast of EC streams of funding, related developments and communicating changes to concerned parties across the agency

c) Monitoring the compliance with Certificate of Financial Statements "CFS" requirements;

d) Providing support and input for EC verification missions

4\) Monitor effective and efficient streamlined processes, customized templates in accordance with project and/or donor types, sources of internal and external primary and secondary information, update of the database of partners, drafting and review records, quality controls, etc.

5\) Ensure project managers'/leads' adherence to agreed processes, quality, standards, and reporting requirements by:

a) Establishing working relationships

b) Ensuring accuracy and validity of submitted project reporting information in line with the countersigned agreements.

6\) Develop and maintain the project portfolio whilst adhering to the project management methodology, through the use of guidelines, procedures, processes, standards, reports, metrics, tools, and templates. Gather, consolidate and update project and portfolio data as well as monitor project status for regular reporting.

7\) Maintain appropriate internal repositories of template/model documents, including, but not limited to, biosketches, conflict of interest forms, budget justifications, timesheets, etc.

8\) For a selection of projects, advise on the drafting of project plans (milestones, dependencies and resources), project budget monitoring, and develop dashboards ensuring that detailed information are kept up-to-date on a regular basis.

9\) Participate in some projects' kick-offs and progress review meetings assuring that all programme and project documentation are up-to-date and available.

10\) Assist in the daily operation of Resource Mobilisation Office "RMO".

11\) Back stop RMO colleagues to ensure smooth operations; perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor.


WHO COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork
• Producing results
• Communication
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Respecting and promoting cultural differences

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

• Ability to build successful working relationships with internal and external collaborators and stakeholders and coordinate activities across multiple parties.
• Capable of maintaining a high degree of effectiveness in a multi-tasking role, managing priorities, and working to challenging timescales.
• Ability to adapt and manage deliverables and resources in a climate of change and to think and act quickly, sometimes under pressure yet remain effective.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with teams in an international, multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment; separated by geographical locations and working under different time-zones.
• Ability to promote best practices, advise on improvements, and apply information from a broad range of sources.
• Excellent communication (both oral and written), problem solving and analytical skills.
• Careful attention to detail coupled with the ability to continuously monitor progress of plans, actions, and other initiatives.
• Ability to identify issues and risks, escalating these to the RM Officer or the AFO in a timely and effective manner.
• Proactive, flexible, resourceful, and able to work independently with limited supervision.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of public health fields, preferably cancer related topics/subjects.
• Experience in website/content development.
• Knowledge of basic accounting or financial reporting

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential:

First-level university degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Information Management, International relations, Communications, Political Science or other related discipline.

Desirable:

• Training in WHO's Project Management Methodology (from Project Management Centre of Excellence)
• Project management qualification i.e. PRINCE2, APM, AgileSCRUM, SAFE and/or PMI.
• Certification on Lean, Six Sigma, or ITIL v.4.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• At least 1 year of professional experience in project management and successful delivery of complex cross-functional or interdependent projects in an international environment, including planning, project monitoring, status reporting, financial monitoring and action tracking.
• Experience in writing project-related documentation or technical papers.
• Experience in the administration of donor agreements.

Desirable:

• Experience in managing funds from the European Commission
• Experience in managing small to medium scale projects
• Experience in project estimation, establishment of tracking systems and improvement initiatives.
• Experience working in a UN Organization or other specialised agency.

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS
Expert knowledge of English and working knowledge of French is essential. Another UN official language is desirable.


OTHER SKILLS (e.g. IT)
Knowledge of Microsoft 365 package. Knowledge of ERP system, Workflow systems.


REMUNERATION
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars.

The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 39,401 (subject to applicable deductions), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1,861 per month for the duty station indicated above (subject to change).

Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level or lower.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or presentation/seminar may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. IARC/WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The list can be accessed through the link:
Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules, and Manual noting that first year of fixed term contracts is a probationary period which maybe extended subject to performance evaluation.
• For information on IARC's operations please visit: , and for more general information on WHO's operations please visit: .
• IARC/WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The IARC/WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• IARC/WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Participating States are strongly encouraged to apply for IARC/WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to .
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. IARC/WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the IARC/WHO Values Charter into practice.
• IARC/WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the IARC/WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to IARC/WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment, and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, IARC/WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• IARC/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• IARC/WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to fully express and develop their talents.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with IARC/WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with IARC/WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.