Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Healthy Environments and Populations is committed to sustained action, actively addressing noncommunicable disease risk factors, environmental health risks, and social and commercial determinants, with a specific emphasis on gender and inequity. In line with this commitment, the Healthy Ageing (AGE) unit contributes by fostering transformative changes in social and health systems, advocating early investment, and cultivating cross-sectoral partnerships to establish age-friendly environments. As part of its dedication to the Regional Action Plan on Healthy Ageing, the unit not only offers technical guidance but also collaborates with external partners, championing evidence-based advocacy and innovation.Highlighting the urgency for preventive measures and control, oral diseases affected over 800 million people in the Region (42.1% of the population) in 2019, emphasizing the vital role of maintaining oral health for healthy aging. The Global Oral Health Action Plan 2023-2030 outlines 11 global targets for achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030, featuring 100 specified actions for stakeholders. The Technical Officer (Oral Health) plays a crucial role in guiding Member States for effective policy development and implementation in support of regional oral health initiatives.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide input to the work program in the area of Public health in the assigned region and assist the Responsible Officer in the successful implementation of national health systems and/public health policies. 2. Undertakes research on the public health topics to facilitate the development and implementation of the public health programmes and activities. 3. Draft, revise and further develop public health guidelines, national strategies and provide recommendations on a plan of action for improvement in the existing public health policies and health systems. 4. Monitor work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities. 5. Conduct data analyses and information on best practices and partners’ experiences in implementing sustainable Public health systems and disseminate information 6. Participates in capacity building in the area of Public health systems and the management and financing of the systems. 7. Analyze and evaluate best practices from a variety of public health databanks and information related to disease outbreak; identify disease sources and provide recommendations concerning appropriate response to identified risks, and implementation of preventative measures and prepare reports 8. Conduct a variety of community outreach activities concerning the extension of health-care networks. 9. Serve as a technical resource at counterpart level concerning communicable diseases in the country(ies); respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures Specific duties 1. Provide technical advice to Member States in developing and implementing the national oral health policy, focusing on the prevention and control of oral diseases towards UHC for oral health.2. Provide technical guidance to Member States in implementing recommended interventions such as the 8020 campaign for life-course approach, prevention of oral frailty as part of an age-friendly environment, long-term care and social prescribing activities.3. Provide technical insights to the establishment of an innovative workforce model to respond to population needs for oral health by enabling interprofessional education and task sharing with other existing primary care workers.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in Dentistry.
Desirable: An advanced university degree (Masters level or above in Health (medicine or public health).

Experience

Essential: At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience, with proven international exposure, in oral health, developing public oral health capacity and policies/strategies that promote oral health and preventative measures, investigation, surveillance, and management of oral diseases.
Desirable: Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations. Experience in low- and middle- income countries and in the field of oral health.Demonstrated experience at the international level.

Skills

• Knowledge of country level situations with regard to public health systems development and management with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting. • Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems. • Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities. • Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy. • Excellent knowledge of Health care systems and safety regulations. • Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty. • Public speaking techniques. • Excellent drafting and communication skills. • Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. • Team spirit and time management skills. • Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions; • Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills by working harmoniously as a member of a team, adapting to diverse educational, socio-political and cultural backgrounds and maintaining a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

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 64,121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2757 per month for the duty station indicated above. 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

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that 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. 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: http://www.whed.net/. 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The 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.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• 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 [email protected]

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• 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 WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to 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, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

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• 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 express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

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• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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