Technical Officer

The objectives of the Programme on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (MNS) in EMRO are to guide Member States in the development, adaptation and implementation of evidence-informed policies, plans, legislations and interventions aimed at the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental, neurological and substance use disorders, delivery of services based on best practices and standards of care and promoting recovery, and observance of human rights in an inter and multi-sectoral milieu.
Description Of Duties:

• The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Assess the current regional situation of substance use and substance use disorders and develop a strategic approach to assist Member States in prevention and treatment for substance use disorders in line with the regional framework to strengthen public health action on the problem of substance use.
• Enhance the capacities of Member States to develop and implement-evidence informed policies and legislations and strengthen the health systems response to public health problems related to substance use.
• Provide technical support and advice to Member States in developing national strategies and action plans on reducing health consequences of substance use, scaling up evidence-based interventions for the prevention of substance use disorders, and provision of quality services to people with substance use disorders across the continuum of care.
• Plan, develop, implement and monitor building capacity activities at country and regional levels to respond to public health problems attributable to substance use and substance use disorders.
• Support Member States in the development of surveillance and monitoring systems for substance use. Provide technical support and advice to civil society organizations and other entities, as appropriate, on the issues related to reduction of the public health problems associated with substance use.
• Foster collaboration and partnerships with other EMRO programmes and initiatives in the area of substance use and public health.
• Prepare and revise technical documents, briefing notes, meeting reports, information products and content of EMRO website related to work under the incumbent’s responsibility, as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:
Education:

• Essential: An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree), or an equivalent, in Clinical Psychology or Psychiatry from a recognized institution.
• Desirable: Doctorate, certification or specialized training in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder/addiction medicine.

Experience:

• Essential: At least 7 years of relevant experience with international exposure in the development and implementation of policies, strategies and action plans in the area of prevention and treatment of substance abuse
• Desirable: Working experience in developing countries as well as UN bodies and NGOs working in the field of substance use.

Skills:

• Expert knowledge of: International policy frameworks for reduction of public health problems related to substance use. Psychosocial and epidemiological aspects of alcohol and substance use and relevant policy responses.
• Demonstrated ability to: Provide expert advice and technical assistance to countries on the development and implementation of policies and programmes in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.
• Plan and conduct capacity building activities in the area of alcohol and substance use.
• Assess, evaluate and incorporate new evidence, information and experiences into development of technical advice and information products.
• Participate effectively in team work and meet expectations and deadlines.
• Work effectively in the field and under constraints Demonstrated skills in: Proposal and report writing.
• Data interpretation and analysis. Effective communication including presentation skills.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2310708