Technical Officer (Climate Change and Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The WHO Country Office in Kiribati is part of the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS), a decentralized division of the Western Pacific Region established to coordinate the provision of technical support for the countries and areas of the Pacific islands. The WHO Country Liaison Office for Kiribati is the centre of the Secretariat’s mechanism for delivering its technical cooperation. The goal of WHO’s country presence is to enable the entire organization to support Kiribati in reaching its health goals and contributing to global and regional public health action. Kiribati is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the health impacts of climate variability and change.Climate change threatens not only the health and well-being of the nation but its very existence. The combination of exposure to climatic hazards, limited capacity of the health system, including inadequate basic infrastructure such as communication, water and sanitation and electricity, human resources, and supplies, as well as communities that are remote and hard to reach provide significant challenges in reducing climate change-related morbidity and mortality. Without substantial and proactive investment in adaptation in the health sector and community-levels, the current and projected climatic changes will result in increased health risks through direct and indirect pathways.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Country Liaison Officer (CLO) of the WHO Office in Kiribati, the incumbent will perform the following functions:Provide technical and scientific input to the work program of Climate Change, the Environment, and Health (CCE) and support the technical and scientific implementation of the CCE thematic priority in For the Future;Coordinate implementation of climate change and environmental health initiatives and projects in Kiribati to ensure its compliance with the defined project scope, management methodology, standards,budget and timelines; Ensure effective management of available resources, quality delivery of expected outcomes and outputs, and active engagement with the team and relevant stakeholders; Coordinate WHO’s technical assistance by developing comprehensive project plans in collaboration with national counterparts and technical staff during all project phases from initial development through implementation; Oversee procurement of resources and materials as needed before and during the project, including consultant recruitment and negotiating price and payment agreements; Communicate proactively with national counterparts, WHO staff and development partners to provide encouragement, identify problems, identify solutions, and implement efficiency improvements, as needed; Identify project risks and implementation challenges and work closely with responsible team leads to mitigate these risks and to identify solutions to address business needs; Prepare quarterly and annual reports to be cleared by the WHO Representative to the South Pacific; Ensure visibility of project plans including communication plans, status, dependencies, risks and issues. Monitor project progress continuously and deliver scheduled reports to supervisors and donors on measurable items, milestones and deliverables and risks; and Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s Degree from a university recognized in the International Association of Universities’ Worldwide Database of Higher Education Institutions, Systems and Credentials (WHED) in a field relevant to environmental health, public health, health systems, climate change, environmental science, environmental engineering or other related disciplines.
Desirable: PhD or equivalent in climate change, environmental science, environmental health, engineering or related field is an advantage

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of working experience at the national level and exposure at the international level in the field of climate change, environmental health or environmental science.At least two years’ experience in developing or managing initiatives, programmes, collaborations or relations with external stakeholders at international or global level; experience in management and supporting activities related to climate change, the environment, and health at national and international settings; experience of working with low- and middle-income countries.
Desirable: Scientific and technical work experience with Pacific island countries in the fields of climate change and health, environmental health especially in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities, climate-sensitive diseases, and interventions in building climate resilience healthcare facilities. Experience in programme project planning,management and successful delivery of complex cross-functional or interdependent projects. Experience in managing complex projects within a UN and health context. Experience in change management, quality assurance, and communications. Experience in management of climate change projects. Experience in budget and finance. Work experience with Pacific island countries.

Skills

Proven skills in the areas of strategic planning, organizational and project management skills; Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of health implications of climate change and the environment;Ability to adapt and manage deliverables and resources and to think and act quickly, sometimes under pressure,yet remain effective;Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners;Ability to promote best practices, advise on improvements, independently perform research, and apply information from a broad range of sources;Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, advocate, motivate, resolve conflict,and adapt relevant leadership styles to a variety of situations; andAbility to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse education and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

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 77,326 (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 2777 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.

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• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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