National Professional Officer (Mental Health)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recruitment might be filled by using the Fast Track Process.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Program mission is to promote mental health, and human rights for all across the lifespan; to prevent harmful use of alcohol and other substances, to prevent mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders; and to reduce the mortality, morbidity and disability for persons with MNS disorders and associated psychosocial, cognitive and intellectual disabilities.

Objectives a. To promote care, recovery, and the human rights of people with mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders and associated disabilities, b. To increase access to affordable, good quality services and supports for people with MNS disorders and associated disabilities, their families, and communities within the context of UHC and across the life-course, c. To include care for people with MNS disorders and associated disabilities in emergency responses for immediate relief and to build back better, d. To prevent suicide, MNS disorders, harm due to alcohol and other substances, and addictive behaviors, across the life course. e. Supervise MH officer in Gaza and local and international consultants recruited to provide support to the implementation of the MH WCO project in oPt. f. Co-chair the MHPSS Technical working group in West Bank. g. Provide training on mhGAP HIG as a certified trainer and PSEAH.

PRSEAH oPt focal point; support WCO in PSEA activities and supervise focal points in both Gaza and WB. Represent WHO at centralised PSEA Network meetings in oPt.

• Monitor field work of partners that have conducted a PSEA risk assessment
• Coordinate and support the PSEA Network in capacity building/strengthening of implementing partners
• Work with sub-regional health clusters/groups and partners to include PSEA in the essential information or training package for health partners and communities across the Gaza Strip
• Strengthen capacity of implementing partners in complying with WHO’s policy

GBV oPt focal point: Supervise and support activities implementation in both Gaza and West Bank staff wellbeing – and peer support; provide support for all staff on their mental wellbeing. GAC advisory committed- member

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical specialist expertise support and guidance to the work program
2. Support Member States, relevant WHO Offices and others, as requested, and serve as a technical resource at the counterpart level concerning mental health, drugs, and addictive behaviour; and respond to Member States’ and others’ inquiries concerning relevant policies, guidance, measures, techniques and procedures
3. Conduct the development of new guidelines and policies in the field of promotion, prevention, care and data for MNS conditions.
4. Provide expertise in in-country activities concerning promotion, prevention, care and data for MNS conditions.
5. Provide technical expertise and guidance in the development, testing and/or dissemination of WHO and inter-agency normative guidance and tools.
6. Support WHO senior staff in providing leadership with Member States, UN agencies and NonState Actors and support WHO’s advocacy efforts.
7. Promote and conduct the implementation of public health research.
8. Synthesize data on MNS conditions and their consequences, and on promotion, prevention, care for MNS conditions, and prepare and disseminate data-based information.
9. Maintain liaison with counterparts in technical departments at HQ and in Regional and Country Offices, and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) on the coordination and application of relevant policies and strategies.
10. Provide expertise in WHO’s response to mental health in emergencies and coordination.
11. Conduct and support the monitoring of work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.
12. Propose and follow-up on contractual engagements with partners and institutions.
13. Perform all other related duties as assigned.
14. Promote and support the civil society and community based organization in advocating for the human rights of the mental health services users and their integration in the community.
15. PRFSEAH WHO oPt focal point.
16. GBV WHO oPt focal point.
17. Co -chair MHPSS inter-cluster technical working group18. Staff well being and peer support
18. Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

An advanced university degree relevant to mental health, and social sciences (e.g., specialization in public mental health, psychology, counselling psychology, psychiatry

Desirable:

Postgraduate studies or specialized training in mental health, psychology and social sciences

Experience

Essential:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience focusing on mental health services/systems, promotion, prevention and care for MNS conditions.
• Working experience in the development of evidence-based, normative products (e.g., policies, guidelines, standards, manuals) in mental health
  
• Demonstrated exposure at the international level

Desirable:

• Experience in project management, preferably in the field of mental health. Experience with UN organisation

Skills

• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty (knowledge of policies, systems, and interventions [including treatments, promotion, and preventive activities] for MNS conditions, mental health and human rights)
• Knowledge of country level situations with regard to mental health, drugs and addictive behaviours with good understanding of country needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, and guidelines and in the related areas.
• Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• 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.

WHO Competencies

WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Moving forward in a changing environment
5. Producing results
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Arabic.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at ILS 328,395 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• 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.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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