Technical Officer

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Description

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• Under the supervision and guidance from Programme Manager WAC, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities and achieve the following objectives:
• Provide technical support to and capacity development in Member States in assessing health risks of climate change, developing health adaptation policies and national action plans, and adopting approaches to strengthen climate-resilience of health systems;
• Contribute to the collation and synthesis of evidence related to health risks of climate change in the WHO European Region and the effectiveness of policies and adaptation interventions;
• Assist Member States in implementing the climate change and health commitments made in the Declaration of the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health;
• Coordinate transatlantic cooperation on climate change and health among the Regional Offices for Europe and for the Americas, including facilitation of policy dialogs and the preparation of joint thematic policy briefs;
• Coordinate WHO’s support to the EHP Partnership for Health Sector Climate Action in close liaison with Partnership leads and members, and support implementation of the Partnership’s work programme;
• Provide regional liaison and coordination of engagement of the Regional Office in global processes, including the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) and the Conferences of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);
• Provide secretariat functions to the Working Group on Health in Climate Change (HIC) in close liaison with national focal points and international partners;
• Promote and support inter-programmatic coordination in the Regional Office towards integrating climate change considerations with other health programmes, including, but not limited to, health systems, emergency preparedness and response, water and sanitation, urban planning, infectious and vector-bone disease, noncommunicable disease and mental health programmes, as well as with the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and the WHO European Regions for Health Network;
• Provide technical support and advice in the response to, and investigation of, health emergencies related to climate-induced extreme weather and slow onset events, within WHO’s emergency preparedness and response frameworks;
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with United Nations agencies (including United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)), the European Commission, donor countries and academia and co-create project proposals as appropriate;
• Participate in the mobilization of resources to support the implementation of activities in environment and health with focus on climate change adaptation and health;
• Coordinate the work with WHO collaborating centres in the area of climate change and health, and initiate and maintain collaboration with relevant external partners;
• Undertake related duties as required, including, but not limited to, representing WHO at technical meetings related to the above tasks, preparing briefing notes and talking points for management, acting for other WHO staff members when necessary to facilitate continuity of work.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in environmental science or engineering, public health, epidemiology or other relevant recognized health and natural sciences related degree.

• At least seven years of combined national and/or international work experience in the area of climate change and health, and/or in environment and health. Proven experience in analysis, development and implementation of policy and regulatory documents in the field of climate change and health and/or environmental health, and in providing technical and policy advice and implementation at country level. Demonstrated experience with organizing technical expert meetings, drafting of technical documents, briefings and speaking notes, and communications and advocacy.

• Demonstrated in-depth expertise in the scientific, technical and policy aspects of climate change and health
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant international agreements, initiatives and processes in the area of climate change and health, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
• Demonstrated knowledge of WHO policies in environment and health, including relevant WHA and Regional Committee resolutions, as well as regional platforms and processes, such as the European Environment and Health Process;
• Demonstrated knowledge of WHO work, guidelines, policies and initiatives in the area of climate change and health, including the Alliance for Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH);
• Demonstrated ability to work with internal and external partners in an effective and competent manner and with due regard for cultural diversity;
• Recognized skills in setting priorities, in communication, and in designing, developing, implementing and coordinating/managing projects;
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge and expertise openly and freely, providing guidance, coaching and advice on technical areas;
• Proficiency in the use of standard office software and databases.
• Emotional intelligence, the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

• Excellent knowledge of the English language. 

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