Scientist (Tobacco Control) – P4  

The mission of WHO’s UHC/Healthier Populations Division is to contribute to reducing health inequalities and reducing preventable disease and injury caused by environmental, social and economic determinants of health. This is achieved through a coordinated inter-sectoral approach aimed at enabling all people to enjoy better health and well-being, in line with the Organization’s13th General Programme of Work (GPW13) and the Sustainable Development Goals. Within the Division, the Department of Health Promotion (HPR) works to reduce risks associated with tobacco use, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity, thereby contributing to better population health, through cross-cutting normative, fiscal and legal measures to enhance wellbeing, health literacy and engage multi stakeholders through settings approach and community engagement strategies. Within the HPR Department, the Unit of No Tobacco (TFI) provides global scientific and technical leadership and specialized technical assistance in matters related to implementation of MPOWER technical package in tobacco control and tobacco product regulation. In addition, TFI develops new Global Public Health Goods such as the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, the WHO Technical Report Series on product regulation and Technical Standards for measuring the contents and emissions of nicotine and tobacco products.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Provide authoritative scientific, policy advice, to Member States, stakeholders and partners for the effective application of guidelines for the implementation of the WHO FCTC and to facilitate other Conference of the Parties related technical collaboration.
• Builds new and expands the depth of existing partnerships with experts (e.g. those in the Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation (TobReg), the WHO Tobacco Laboratory Network (TobLabNet) and WHO collaborating centers, to develop scientifically based recommendations and policy guidelines to facilitate the implementation of tobacco product regulation strategies at country level.
• Develops innovative, new scientific and policy approaches for elaborating and adopting international tobacco product regulation standards.
• Coordinates the Global Tobacco Regulators Forum, to facilitate information exchange among regulators and country-level implementation of product regulation policies. ;a Commission tobacco product regulation research and development of policies, best practices and white papers that forward the implementation and evaluation of effective, country-specific tobacco product regulatory strategies and furthers WHO’s objectives and identify WHO as a leading source of excellence in this area.
• Supervise technical staff in this area of work.
• Any other duties as assigned.

   

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• Advanced level university degree (Masters level or above) in medicine, chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology or a relevant degree from a recognized university.

Desirable:

• Doctoral degree in chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, public health or a relevant degree from a recognized university.

   

Experience

Essential:

• At least seven years of professional experience in tobacco product regulation including in areas of tobacco science, testing and toxicology at national level, with at least three years at the international level.
• Proven track record in working in partnership with many sectors.
• At least 2 years’ experience working on tobacco control policies and/or implementation of the WHO FCTC.

Desirable:

• Working experience in an international organization.
• Experience working with national and international agencies active in the field of global health.

   

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in tobacco control policies and programs, in particular on tobacco product regulation.
• Experience in analyzing scientific and technical data on tobacco product testing and toxicological studies.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi- cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.
• Proven ability to work across disciplines.
• Tact, discretion and diplomacy in communicating with others.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and on a results-oriented basis.
• Collaborative and interpersonal skills to work with technical/specialist colleagues across the Department, Organization, regions, and countries.
• Verbal communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to discuss new opportunities for tobacco control at national and global level.

   

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

   

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French.
• Intermediate knowledge of any other official WHO languages.

   

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 5883 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.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• 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].
• 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.
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