Technical Officer (AMR)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Division Mandate:

To support countries to attain universal coverage of health services for better and equitable health outcomes. Health systems act as the foundation that both underpins and unifies public health efforts aimed at combating diseases and building healthy communities in an efficient and equitable manner, especially for high priority, excluded and underserved population groups. A strong health system foundation enables effectiveness of individual programmes and efficient use of shared system resources for all programmes. In addition, it also promotes community empowerment and participatory governance as a means of integrating equity-enhancing and rights-based approaches as well as addressing the social determinants of health.

Unit Mandate:

To support Member States to develop and implement policies, regulatory and financing mechanisms that ensure equitable access to effective and safe medical products and technologies of assured quality and their rational use by prescribers and consumers. Works across programmes and divisions to support countries combat antimicrobial resistance along the areas of the development and implementation of multisectoral action plans; strengthening of systems for surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, outbreak response and monitoring of antimicrobial consumption; infection prevention and control and regulation of antimicrobials; and advocacy for behavioral change.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide input to the work program in the area of AMR in the assigned region/country(ies) and assist the Responsible Officer in the successful implementation and monitoring of national action plan for AMR and other policies related to AMR, including Tripartite AMR country self-assessment survey (TrACSS).
2. Support draft, revise and further develop guidelines and national strategies related to AMR and provide recommendations on a plan of action for improvement in the existing policies and systems.
3. Monitor work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.
4. Conduct data analyses and information on best practices and partners’ experiences in implementing sustainable health systems related to AMR, especially focusing on clinical antimicrobial stewardship, diagnostic stewardship and AMR outbreak response at hospital settings, and disseminate information.
5. Support capacity building of health systems concerning AMR outbreak response, clinical antimicrobial stewardship, diagnostic stewardship, and primary health care and the management and financing of the systems.
6. Support countries to develop and implement national clinical stewardship programmes; including, for example, licensing and accreditation of health professionals and pre-service and in-service educations.
7. Support countries to develop, update and implement national antibiotics guidelines which reflect antibiotic susceptibility data from the country for hospitals and for the community.
8. Support quadripartite coordination to support in the implementation of AMR programmes at the regional and country levels.
9. Serve as a technical resource at counterpart level concerning AMR in the country(ies); respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in medicine, nursing, pharmacy or microbiology.
Desirable: An advanced university degree in public health, infectious diseases, laboratory science or other relevant field.

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/ .

Experience

Essential:

At least five years combined relevant experience, with proven international exposure, in clinical practice with experience in AMR-related surveillance, microbiology laboratory, antimicrobial stewardship, or outbreak response.

Desirable: Experience working with WHO or other UN agencies.

Skills

• Knowledge of country level situations with regard to AMR systems development and management with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Excellent knowledge of Health care systems and safety regulations.
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects inthe field of specialty.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• Team spirit and time management skills.

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:
who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Knowing and managing yourself
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Other UN languages.

Other Skills:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

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 2757 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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 shws@who.int.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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• 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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