Staff Physician

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the Division of Business Operations (BOS) is to support the work of WHO in the European Region through delivery of services within the areas of human resources, finance, contracting and procurement, legal advice, information& communications technology, printing, security, facilities management, fixed assets, conference support, travel and transport, safeguarding personnel and staff wellness and well-being. As an enabling function, the division enhances the productivity of the health technical programmes and country offices while at the same time overseeing accountability, transparency and compliance with WHO administrative rules and regulations. The BOS division strives to strengthen the capacity of WHO/Europe to react in an agile way to external and internal changes. The division projects are designed to increase productivity, ensure financial sustainability of the region’s structures, reinforce a client-oriented culture, strengthen country office capacities, and drive strategic initiatives to enhance staff motivation and well-being.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Regional Staff Physician, to promote and optimize the wellbeing of WHO/EURO staff on all related medical matters.

Key duties: In consultation and under the guidance of the Regional Staff Physician: 

1. Conduct medical examinations/evaluations prior to selection of candidates and advise the Administration on the candidates` medical fitness for the posts for which they are considered; conduct periodic medical examinations, review and classify, with regard to fitness for duty, reports and pre-employment examinations issued and conducted by authorized physicians outside the Regional Office. Conduct if appropriate medical examinations prior to end of service to determine staff members` fitness and health status at the time of their separation from the Organization. Advise staff members on medical fitness prior to departure on mission or change of duty station.
2. Approve/reject, monitor and control sick leave of staff members in the region. Provide sick leave certificates when required. Advise the Administration regarding cases of extended and/or frequent sick leave and fitness for duty following recovery from serious illness or accident. Provide input on pro-actively reducing staff sick leave when needed. Communicate to SHW/HQ cases of extended sick leaves that could reach Sick Leave Under Insurance Cover (SLIC) and/or need to be presented to the Pension Board for disability benefit, as well as medical reports of declaration of accident to submit to the Advisory Committee on Compensation Claims (ACCC). Work closely with the Administration in situations requiring close collaboration with the administration, with full respect of medical confidentiality.
3.  Evaluate local and regional medical facilities, maintaining contact with networks of both local and international health providers
4. Advise on the provision of vaccination services for WHO/EURO staff(as well as other UN staff and their families) and provide travel advice and/or medication prior to travel of staff (orders and manages stocks of medications ,vaccines, travel kits and the provisional budget).
5.  On appointment, and for health problems related to work, provide medical consultations. In case of acute medical problems that may arise during office hours, provide advice, counselling and emergency medical care and first aid (walk-in clinic).
6.  Provide advice to the Staff Health Insurance (SHI) Committee and The Committee to promote health and safety at work. Recommend and coordinate medical evacuations within and outside the region.
7.  Liaise with SHW. Ensure that the structure of the Regional Medical Service is compliant with the overall policy of SHW. Ensure that up-to-date medical information and reports regarding staff are part of their record at all times and sent to WHO HQ on time; maintain confidentiality of all medical records and files of staff members.

Occupational health & health promotion:

1. Promote sound occupational health policies, practices and procedures by identifying issues, determining actions required and assisting in introducing control measures.
2. Make recommendations regarding availability and quality of health care and medical facilities locally and in the region.
3. Develop and implement healthy workplace promotion programmes, including occupational health issues and health risk assessment.
4. Advise on preventive measures to be taken with regard to major diseases, organize health education and awareness programmes.
5. Provide advice for ensuring occupationally safe working conditions for staff.
6. Provide support to other UN agencies in host countries, based on appropriate agreement with the objective of a possible establishment of a common UN medical service in-country. Handle medical emergencies incoordination with the security service.
7. Health Risk assessments and staff well-being. Collect and disseminate information on any recent research of relevance for maintaining health in a work environment and staff wellbeing. Provide input to the Administration and Executive Management as needed and relevant to policies and approaches related to staff health and well-being.
8.  Actively participate in and champion the promotion of healthy workplace by providing health education and awareness advice.
9.  Provide advice on stress management and ergonomics

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or equivalent degree in medicine.
Desirable: Registration in country of origin or practice. Training in primary healthcare such as family medicine or internal medicine. Training in Occupational Medicine.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of professional experience in health services in national or multi-national Organizations in either the private or public sector.
Desirable: Professional experience in a multicultural environment. Experience in occupational health. Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of latest diagnostic techniques and clinical practices. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to manage and respond to emergency situations. 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
Moving forward in a changing environment
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French,Russian,German.

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 2485 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.

• *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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