WAHO Delivery Advisor

Focus of the Role

TBI is supporting the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) to strengthen its institutional capacity to respond to routine public health issues and pandemics. This work will be focused on improving the capacity of WAHO and its staff to deliver on their mandates and duties. In the first phase of the programme, the team supported WAHO to deliver a strategic plan to improve health and well-being and access to quality healthcare in the region while strengthening emergency preparedness. WAHO is currently planning the implementation of this strategy.

Job Introduction

The WAHO Delivery Advisor will provide technical and strategic advice to WAHO, support the delivery of the WAHO strategy, institutionalise a delivery culture at WAHO and support WAHO’s engagement with key stakeholders including those at the Head of State level across the region.

This is a one-year fixed-term role, which will be based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire but the postholder will also be required to regularly travel to Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, and possibly other locations within West Africa. For candidates based outside of Cote d’Ivoire, TBI will provide a relocation package in support.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery and capacity building

• Support the WAHO Programme Lead, WAHO DG and leadership team in developing and implementing politically savvy strategies
• Provide high-impact advisory support to the WAHO leadership and key colleagues to ensure delivery of key initiatives, projects and strategies and ensure impact (e.g., strategy support, institutionalising delivery structures, the application of delivery tools and frameworks for e.g. planning, problem solving and performance management, quality assurance, running workshops and sessions, short-term advisory, implementation evaluation, analysis, etc.)
• Provide institutional capacity-building support including ensuring that the institution has the skilled staff and level of resources it needs to effectively deliver its services, supporting them through coaching and on-the-job mentoring and in building agency, allowing for constructive challenge
• Work with the WAHO Programme Lead and WAHO colleagues to ensure that the organisation has the systems for effective implementation and operational delivery of its mandate
• Provide advisory support to WAHO to efficiently and effectively deliver technical services and support that meet the needs of ECOWAS Member States and populations and support global public health systems
• Develop relevant models/frameworks to support the delivery of the Programme
• Support the development of systems and structures to embed a delivery culture within WAHO

Stakeholder management

• Develop strong trusted working relationships with counterparts at WAHO, engage with key internal and external stakeholders to implement agreed strategies and interventions
• Collaborate closely and regularly with relevant stakeholders to align on key decisions, iterate on solutions and find alternatives as required
• Support WAHO to develop and implementing an effective stakeholder engagement strategy

Thought leadership

• Support a robust and targeted thought leadership and policy-influencing agenda
• Support WAHO to provide trusted information and thought leadership aligned to the needs of ECOWAS Member States, populations, and global health systems

Contribution to TBI

• Contribute to wider TBI agenda and other activities as required by the WAHO Programme Lead
• Work with other teams within the HCD practice and TBI country teams to develop relevant projects in the HCD space 

Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Person Specification

Therefore, the successful candidate for the role should be able to display the majority of the following:

• Substantial experience in government, government advisory, policy delivery, management consulting or other organisational leadership
• Experience in the application of delivery tools and frameworks, such as Problem Driven Iterative Adaption, Agile, problem-solving tools and diagnostics, and performance management processes.
• An ability to think strategically and translate strategies to concrete and implementable plans; with experience in implementing international development programmes
• Evidence of strong relationship management with a wide range of senior stakeholders, business acumen, negotiation skills, going the extra mile and collaboration
• An ability to deliver results in complex and challenging environments, along with an ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment
• A strong team player with excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills
• An ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
• An acute attention to detail with excellent organisational skills
• Highly developed analytical skills, communication, drafting and presentation skills
• Relevant experience in public health is desirable
• A strong sense of ethics, discretion and perseverance required
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is essential; good working knowledge and experience of the West Africa sub-region are desirable
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in at least two of the official languages for ECOWAS is desirable
• Willingness to travel extensively, sometimes at short notice. Willingness to travel to Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso for 1 week every 1 to 2 months

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.