Technical Officer

Addressing preventable maternal deaths and promoting and protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are crucial to the wellbeing of all people and to enabling them to contribute to the overall development of their communities and societies. The World Health Organization’s (WHO), 13th General Programme of Work (GPW 13) recognizes that access to SRHR can only be fully achieved through Universal Health Coverage (UHC), promotion of better health and well-being, and meeting the needs of those living in humanitarian settings, i.e. all three of WHO’s strategic priorities. Within this framework, this programme will focus on supporting countries to reduce preventable maternal morbidity and mortality in particular from unsafe abortion.

Duties:

Under the direct supervision of: Medical Officer, Maternal and Reproductive Health (MRH) and under overall guidance of the Director, UHC/ Family Health, Gender and Life Course (FGL) and in coordination with relevant technical counterparts, the incumbent will carry out the following principal duties:

• Manage the work of the programme within the Office, including the development of road maps and innovative strategies for implementation of the programme objectives.
• Provide sustained and intensive technical support at the country level, including the Head of WHO Country Office, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and other stakeholders to: (i) build capacity of health systems, in particular health workforce and health financing(ii) effectively and equitably deliver comprehensive services.
• Develop, implement and monitor work plans and budgets aimed at integrating reproductive and maternal health as integral components of countries’ health care and Universal Health Coverage.
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation of programmes linked to sexual and reproductive health and rights and provide technical recommendations and analysis on progress made, while addressing challenges.
• Conduct resource mobilization efforts required to support full project implementation.
• Prepare timely technical and analytical reports on programme performance.
• Serve as a technical resource in providing technical expertise in sexual reproduction and reproductive health rights.
• Liaise and coordinate with national counterparts, technical departments in country, regional and headquarters offices, donors, and other UN partners to realize project objectives.
• Mentor and supervise as needed other staff and consultants working on this programme.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications :

Education

Essential:

• Advanced level university degree in public health or medicine

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of combined national and international professional experience in supporting reproductive and maternal health programs, including work on preventing unsafe abortion. Demonstrated experience of working in and with reproductive and maternal health in low- and/or middle-income countries. Experience of managing and working in multidisciplinary technical teams.

Skills:

• The incumbent will have a sound technical knowledge of public health aspects of unsafe abortion. Strong knowledge and technical skills in sexual health and human rights. S/he will have a demonstrated ability to work with multiple external partners in different countries and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders both within and outside of the UN system. The incumbent will also exhibit tact and maturity in dealing with sensitive topics. Excellent interpersonal, negotiating, intercultural communication skills and political acumen. Demonstrated ability to understand and work on complex policy and programme issues related to SRHR in general and preventing unsafe abortion in particular.

Language Skills:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Source:  https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402559