Medical Officer, NCDs Integrated Package Delivery – P4

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Team is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage – Communicable and Non-communicable diseases(UHC/UCN) cluster of the WHO Regional Office for Africa. The work of the UCN cluster is guided by its strategic agenda: “disease burden reduction through using analytics to inform tailored interventions and guide disease control investments”. Objectives pursued by UCN thereby – to which the NCD team and allmembers of the NCD team contribute – are to: (i) provide leadership on disease control coordination, partnership and resource mobilization; (ii) contribute tothe development of WHO disease control technical products, services and tools including adoption of new technologies and innovations;(iii) support generation and use of strategic information for action and decision making including optimizing investment; and (iv) facilitate country support – Technical assistance in deployment of WHO technical products and institutional capacity building including support to national disease programmes and regulatory authorities – towards improved program governance, improved interventions coverage and improved interventions quality. UCN investments towards these objectives are developed and delivered as guided by two guiding principles: comprehensive whole of society approach;and people-centered, integrated approach. 

The comprehensive whole of society approach involves coherent implementation of a triple response to priority diseases: (a) technical response involving deployment of disease specific normative guidance, and intervention mixes and medical commodities; (b) health systems response involving health systems capacity strengthening especially in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and integrated sector/subsector planning; and (c) multi-sectoral response involving empowerment of prioritized high risk communities and their non-health and private sector stakeholders and philanthropies, to manage socio-economic and environmental determinants ofdiseases, and demand accountability fromlocal health systems stewards. 

The people centered, integrated approachto disease control involves: (a) integrated disease control guidance specificfor each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone diseasespecific operational manuals; and (b) integrated disease control investing in strengthening the capacity of each health services delivery platform to deliver optimally for disease control as well as life course programmes, deploying technologies and analytics to guide stratification of diseases risks across population groups, develop and deploy comprehensive packages of interventions specific to the population group thatenters the health system through each health service delivery platform, andmonitor interventions access, coverage and impact on each population group to leave no one behind.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is expected to lead NCDs integrated case management in the areas of:

1) Leadership on disease control coordination, partnership, and resource mobilization Advocacy for PEN and PEN Plus targeting countries, partners, and donors, promoting the mainstreaming and investment in prevention and control of NCDs and mental disorders across the life course and in emergencies situations atsub regional and national levels. Strengthening partnership, collaboration with all stakeholders and alliances to harmonize and streamline country support for integrated NCDs and mental disorders management at all levels and throughout the life course. Contributing to mobilization of domestic and external resources for integrated NCDs and Mental disorders management and psychosocial support, by using innovative resource mobilization techniques.

2) Development of WHO disease control technical products, services, and toolsDeveloping and/or updating WHO policy products for NCDs. Developing tools, products and innovations needed for optimal implementation of PEN and PEN Plus in countries. 

3) Generation and use of strategic information for action and decision makingSupporting inclusion of NCDs and Mental disorders into the national Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system to strengthen individual disease/condition-based surveillance.Supporting evaluation of PEN and PEN Plus implementation and development of specific knowledge products for optimization of implementation based on evaluation results.Fostering operational and implementation research on NCDs integrated service delivery.Producing updated NCDs priority map or maps of Africa.Facilitating NCDs capacity assessment in priority countries.Facilitating documentation of NCDs best practices on PEN Plus as well as innovations in the WHO African Region.Facilitating monitoring and evaluation for NCDs, their risk factors and mental health including the GPW 13 impacts and outcomes, global and regional health trends, Sustainable Development Goals indicators, health inequalities and disaggregated data.

4) Facilitating country support for prevention and control of NCDsDeploying available WHO technical resources to facilitate adoption of WHO Package of Essential NCDs interventions (WHO PEN), mhGAP and other mental health service delivery models, enabling countries to develop/adapt and implement WHO technical packages at PHC to address NCD and their risk factors, Mental health, and substance abuse through multisectoral action across the life course and continuum of care.Promoting people-centred delivery of NCDs services along the life course including engendering shared responsibilities – task and resource sharing -between steward and stakeholders of each district health service delivery platform; updating service delivery manuals for each service delivery platform along the life course at primary an referral health facilities; deploying appropriate innovations and technologies; and reorienting service providers on people-centred approach delivering care. Conducting quarterly coordination meetings with NCDs focal points in MCATs and priority countries.Building capacities of in-country public health institutions to provide technical on adaption, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of PEN and PEN Plus strategies within countries.Developing and disseminating reports on WHO’s technical support to priority countries. 

5) Performing other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Medical degree with post-graduate degree in public health or specialization in one of the four major NCDs.
Desirable: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in a health-related field.
 

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 7years’ experience in developing, managing, and/or providing medical advisory services for the prevention and management of one or more major NCDs through policy guidance and capacity building in programmes, at the international and national level. At least 3 years’ experience inclusive should be at the international level.
Desirable: Experience in capacity building, developing, and promoting collaborative partnerships.Relevant work experience in International Organizations, UN agencies, non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Field experience in developing countries.
 

Skills

– Extensive, area-specific, technical and programmatic knowledge of programmes and approaches for integrated, capacity-building programmes and interventions including one or more of the following disciplines: clinical public health; Cardiovascular diseases; Diabetes; chronic respiratory diseases; Cancers; Mental Health and substance abuse; working knowledge of district hospital care,Universal health coverage, in-service and pre-service training and capacity building, Essential MH drugs, PHC delivery systems;- Demonstrated ability to provide clear advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders andpartners. – Willingness toshare technical knowledge.
 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Knowing and managing yourself
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.
 

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 77,326 (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 3338 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.
• 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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