EXTENDED DEADLINE: 4 April 2022

Background

The Advancement of Integrated Health Science and Services at WMO calls for active support to new strategic mechanisms such as the Global Heat Health Information Network, to promote capacity building and coordination in inter-sectoral efforts to understand and address extreme heat risks to human health. The WMO/WHO Joint office for climate and health is seeking a one-year full time consultant to provide coordination and technical support to the Global Heat Health Information Network (“The Network”).  

The Network is an independent, voluntary, and member-driven forum of scientists, practitioners, and policy makers focused on improving capacity to protect populations from the avoidable health risks of extreme heat in our changing climate. For more information see www.ghhin.org.  This new position will work closely with the Management Committee and Technical Support Unit to implement a broad range of activities; and engage with a broad set of multidisciplinary technical partners around the world. The TSU manager will play a leading role in the coordination and planning of conferences, workshops and trainings; responsible for project management; and work closely with the communications manager on campaigns, publications, and social media. The TSU Manager will play a central role in the expansion of the network, including capacity building to regional network nodes and scientific partnerships across the WMO. They will also play an important role in developing and maintaining partnerships with other key organizations and networks with whom the Network has collaborative research and/or projects. They will have highly-developed presentation skills and act as a representative for the Network to existing and new partners, including the media. 

The ideal candidate will have experience in extreme heat risk management, health emergencies and/or public health issues, with knowledge of climate science and early warning systems; and be dynamic and communicative, extremely well organized, and able to manage different demands and work independently whilst being an excellent team player.  

Scope of Work 

1. Run the day-to-day technical support unit, by providing coordination, planning, reporting, and administrative tasks of the GHHIN Management Committee and project teams; including management of the workplan and budgets; writing and editing regular thematic and progress reports; organizing events and meetings, etc.  
2. Provide general project management and technical support for the implementation of extreme heat related activities in the 2022-23 workplan (listed above, not exhaustive); including organize consultations, workshops, document development, online platforms and surveys, reports and public outreach as required.  
3. Support and strengthen heat related technical collaboration across WMO programmes and divisions; including regular communication and collaboration with relevant WMO research programs, cross cutting Urban Services, Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Climate Service divisions; and technical support in the implementation of relevant and joint heat and health activities; 
4. Support communications of the network, including update of the network engagement strategy, maintaining website, developing and publishing monthly digests and communication materials, drafting announcements, presentations, responding to ghhin.info emails and media requests, and communicating regularly with committee members and partners, etc.  
5. Support resource mobilization, proposal development, and partnership development as required. 

Qualifications and experience 

• MSc or equivalent university degree from a recognized university or technical institute in Public Health, Environmental Science, Meteorology, or allied sciences relevant to climate and health applications, meteorology, physics or engineering; 
• 3-5 years of relevant professional experience in public health, disaster management, humanitarian programmes or research, ideally in a local or national government setting, such as the National Health System/Service, or National Meteorological Service; 
• Technical expertise and experience related to extreme heat, public health disaster risk management, infectious disease management, and environmental health; 
• Demonstrated project management and coordination skills and experience;  

Knowledge, skills, and abilities 

• Strong understanding and/or experience with policy analysis, engaging a range of stakeholders, and effectively working in a dynamic political landscape;  
• Knowledge of early warning systems, and the production and application of climate and related weather, water and environmental information and services in the health sector; 
• Experience in science communication with interdisciplinary stakeholders;  
• Strong writing skills in the preparation of proposals, reports, project briefs, etc.  
• Ability to effectively and efficiently work in a modern office with Office, Google and Adobe Acrobat applications. Experience in desktop publishing and knowledge of database and content management systems for web based activities will be considered as an advantage; 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and desire and ability to work efficiently in a work environment characterized by cultural diversity;  
• Fluency in English, excellent verbal and written communication skills; other UN languages an advantage (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish).  

Reports to: Dr. Joy Shumake-Guillemot, Scientific Officer, WHO/WMO joint office for climate and health/Applied Climate Services Division 

Salary dependent on experience and qualifications according to WMO consultant renumeration scale.  

Location of work: (Preference) Geneva, Switzerland; home-based upon arrangement  

Application Deadline: EXTENDED: April 4 2022

How to Apply: Please send an email to info@ghhin.org with subject: “LAST NAME: Application TSU”.  

Attach your CV and a cover letter (word or pdf format) explaining your motivation for the position, when you would be able to start, and your willingness to relocate to Geneva.  

Please note that only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Interviews are expected to take place during early April 2022.