Grade: No grade
Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 6 MONTHS
Job Posting: Mar 24, 2026, 5:00:40 PM
Closing Date: Apr 11, 2026, 3:29:00 AM
Primary Location: Sri Lanka-Colombo
Organization: SE_SRL WR Office, Sri Lanka
Schedule: Full-time
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.
Objectives of the Contract
The Ministry of Health, through the Epidemiology Unit, coordinates national pandemic preparedness and response activities under the Pandemic Fund. These activities are implemented using a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health sectors to strengthen surveillance, early warning, outbreak investigation, and coordinated response mechanisms.
The Pandemic Fund provides financial and technical support to enhance national capacities for prevention, preparedness, and response to pandemic threats, including improved surveillance systems, multisectoral coordination, and data integration across One Health sectors.
To support the effective implementation of Pandemic Fund–supported activities, the Ministry of Health seeks to engage a Project Assistant – Pandemic Preparedness and Response (One Health) to assist in planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting of pandemic-related activities.
Job Description
Under the overall supervision and guidance of the WHO Representative to Sri Lanka and the Chief Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Unit, the Project Assistant will be responsible for the following:
Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project Management:
- Support the planning, implementation, and day-to-day coordination of Pandemic Fund–supported activities related to pandemic preparedness and response.
- Assist in operationalizing One Health activities in collaboration with human health, animal health, wildlife, and environmental health stakeholders.
- Coordinate with relevant ministries, departments, provincial and district-level officers, and technical partners to ensure the timely execution of planned activities.
- Monitor implementation progress against approved work plans, timelines, and budgets, and flag implementation challenges, providing periodic updates and reminders to supervisors.
Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement:
- Facilitate communication and coordination among One Health stakeholders involved in pandemic preparedness and response activities.
- Support organization of meetings, workshops, trainings, and joint review sessions related to pandemic preparedness and One Health initiatives.
- Ensure follow-up on actions arising from technical meetings, reviews, and stakeholder consultations.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all Pandemic Fund–supported pandemic preparedness and response activities.
- Prepare periodic progress reports, including activity status, achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations.
- Support the preparation of technical and financial documentation required for audits, evaluations, and donor reporting.
- Compiling data and information required for national and international reporting related to pandemic preparedness indicators.
Administrative and Technical Support:
- Provide administrative and logistical support for field activities, trainings, and multisectoral engagements.
- Assist in documentation of best practices and evidence generated through pandemic preparedness and response activities.
- Perform any other related duties assigned by the Epidemiology Unit relevant to pandemic preparedness and One Health activities.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Essential:
- Completion of secondary school education - GCE (A/L) in the biological sciences stream
- Certificate in Project Management/ Business Administration
Desirable:
- A bachelor’s degree in health sciences, public health, veterinary sciences, environmental sciences or a related discipline.
- Previous experience working as a Project Officer or in a similar role will be considered an added qualification.
Experience:
Essential:
At least 3 years of work experience as a Project Officer or in a similar role
Desirable:
- Experience in working with the Government Sector and or another UN/ International Organizations.
- Familiarity with the UN system, grant funding, policies and monitoring and evaluation
Language Skills:
Expert knowledge of English and expert knowledge of a local language (Sinhala or Tamil)
- Strong communication, coordination, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively with multisectoral stakeholders under a One Health framework.
- Fluency in English and Sinhala; knowledge of Tamil will be an added advantage.
- Computer literacy with proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and basic data management tools.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
Competencies:
- Technical expertise
- Overall attitude at work
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
Annual Salary & others Benefits
Annual Salary
- G4- Step 1
Other Benefits
WHO Offers locally competitive packages such as:
- Health Insurance - Accident and illness insurance through CIGNA Insurance
- Annual Leave – 2.5 days per month
- Sick leave (7 days per year)
- WHO Holidays
NOTE:
- Qualified Candidates will be evaluated and interviewed.
- We regret that due to large volume of applications normally received, applications cannot be acknowledged individually.
- This is vacancy is open to Sri Lankan Nationals (all genders). Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply
- This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade/level
"WHO is committed to workforce diversity". “Any attempt to unduly influence WHO’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.”
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or other tobacco users
Link to apply:
- WHO Careers Website: Careers at WHO
- Vacancies (staff member access): https://careers.who.int/careersection/in/jobsearch.ftl
- Vacancies (external candidate access): https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl