Public Health Officer NCD Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Special Initiative on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Innovation (SNI) supports Member States in their work to free the WHO European Region from avoidable NCDs. SNI recognizes both the urgency for immediate action as well as the need for a visionary paradigm shift that puts NCDs higher on the political and health agendas for future generations. Therefore, SNI takes a dual-track approach, promoting accelerated progress toward the NCD-related SDG commitments for 2030 (RACE to the Finish) while simultaneously championing the key generational shifts required, to address NCDs within the permacrisis (Vision 2050), and achieve a sustainably healthier European Region. SNI’s commitment is to support Member States to achieve a healthier population and to close the gap in NCDs including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes that persist within countries and across the Region. SNI is also charged with fostering Innovation in Public Health across the whole of the work of WHO in the European Region (not just for NCDs). SNI promotes an approach to innovation that is forward thinking and agile, institutionalizing innovation and adjusting to meet the changing needs of a vast region facing demographic, societal and environmental shifts, emergencies, and rapid technological advances. The work under this area includes supporting an ecosystem of innovators in health, matching innovative solutions with stated public health needs in countries, and pushing the envelope in trending are as such as the application of artificial intelligence to public health. The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 14th General Programme of Work with its 3prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions:(i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi)monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020-2025-“United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens’ expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To actively support the WHO CO Moldova and national health authorities in implementation of projects in the area of non-communicable diseases, and within the overall framework of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA). The position focuses on core and EU4Moldova project related activities addressing the NCD risk factors – including prevention, healthy lifestyle promotion and health protection throughout the entire life course and population groups. Implementation of activities will aim for the benefit of general population, all age groups, people with disabilities and people with chronic diseases requiring long term care or palliative care, cancer patients and other vulnerable population groups, in line with the Ministry of Health priorities and WHO recommendations for integrated and continuous health services for all. This is within the overall vision as outlined in the EPW aligned with the WHO’s overarching Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13).

Activities & Coordination:

The purpose of the post is to actively support the country work and BCA (Biennial Collaborative Agreement) through the implementation of the core and project related activities – including preparatory processes and gathering background information from country, supporting missions and other means to deliver results, follow-up on agreements, changes and developments and actively participate in WHO related country level activities. This is within the overall vision of outlined in Health 2020 adopted by the Regional Committee. Under the supervision and in coordination with SNI NCD Technical Office, and overall guidance from the WHO Representative to Moldova, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Assist in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating NCD work plan activities for the prevention and control of NCDs and risk factors, from the perspective of universal health coverage and covering the needs of people with disabilities and chronic NCDs requiring long term care and rehabilitation.
• Support scaling up interventions for prevention and control of behavioural risk factors for NCDs such as tobacco and alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical activity.
• Review and get familiar with key policy documents, including national policies and strategies, and support developing policy documents and legislations to prevent NCD risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity control, and promote behavioural change interventions.
• Identify global best practices in close collaboration with the WHO team and provide support for developing or adopting effective interventions through advocacy and capacity building.
• Disseminate WHO recommendations and guidelines and facilitate their adoption in the country context, including assistance in translating documents from Romanian to Englishor from English to Romanian.
• Communicate and work with stakeholders related to NCDs’ risk factors, rehabilitation and long term care needs across ministries and civil society organizations to achieve national targets and objectives.
• Facilitate resource mobilization and application for donor funding; develop project proposals, application writing, drafting budget estimations; develop operational planning, implementation, and monitoring frameworks.
• Support the implementation of national NCD programs and specific NCD projects, and programs of health services for people with disabilities and rehabilitation projects; conduct regular meetings, training, workshops, and monitoring visits to achieve targets.
• Lead the development and strengthening of strategic partnerships and mobilization resources for NCD risk factors prevention, healthy lifestyle promotion and nutrition and behavioural change activities and interventions.
• Support the national authorities’ NCD risk factors prevention, healthy lifestyle promotion and nutrition activities and behavioural interventions implementation and reporting.
• Guide the development of information, education and communication (IEC) materials to foster community awareness and health practices in NCD risk factors prevention area(s).
• Review and get familiar with key policy documents, including national policies and strategies, and support developing policy documents and legislations on integrated health services for people of all ages with disabilities and chronic NCDs requiring long term care and rehabilitation, including with particular focus on mental health and neurology.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor’s level) in medicine, public health, general and clinical nutrition, or social sciences
Desirable: Master’s degree or postgraduate training in any of the above fields

Experience

Essential: At least two years of professional experience within the area of NCDs including experience working with NCDs clinical specialties, (such as cardiology, endocrinology, oncology, neurology, mental health and/or family medicine) and/or programmes, nutrition, risk factors prevention and control, behavioural interventions for healthy lifestyle promotion.
Desirable: Relevant experience in public health. Relevant experience with(in) WHO, UN agency or international organization.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of the political, social and health systems context at country level.
• Strong knowledge in nutrition science and clinical nutrition, healthy lifestyle promotion, working knowledge and deep understanding of NCDs risk factors prevention, behavioural interventions.
• Ability to work within significant uncertainties, as well as availability for frequent operational travel around the country.
• Strong skills in data management and analysis for reporting.
• Excellent computer skills, including a standard package of office applications.
• Emotional intelligence; Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

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. Expert knowledge of Romanian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Russian, German.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at MDL 769,881 (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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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.

• 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 shws@who.int.

• 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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