Technical Officer (Climate Change and Health) – P3  

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Pacific Climate Change and the Environment (PCE) unit in the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) was established in April 2019 to provide support to Pacific island countries and areas (PICs) in the programme area of climate change, the environment and health (CCE). CCE is one of the thematic priorities of the For the Future – with the vision for a region well prepared to face a changing climate and environment, in which the health sector will emerge as a strong force for preserving the planet.The objectives of the Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE) is to increase the capacity of Member States in the Pacific in climate and environmental health risk assessment and management; enhance the health sector leadership on primary prevention interventions to reduce the effect of climate change on health and to reduce the effect of environmental and occupational hazards to health through multi-sectoral cooperation and inter-country cooperation in managing climate change, environmental and occupational determinants of health.For the Future focuses on four pillars, namely:advocacy to raise the profile of the climate change, environment and health priority and to articulate the health co-benefits of actions and policies from non-health sectors;building resilience into health systems to withstand the impacts of climate change and environmental threats;monitoring the impact of climate change and the environment on health to provide timely, accurate and strategic information to inform decision-making, guide advocacy, drive action and track the impacts and successes of interventions; andapplying a climate change and environment lens to WHO work.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of team coordinator PCE, 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;Assist PCE in the coordination of the technical and scientific aspects of the CC&H projects in PICs including developing/updating national health adaptation plans, the consideration of health or health co-benefits in the climate change national adaptation plans including health co-benefits, climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessments, in collaboration with national counterparts and technical staff in DPS and with the relevant WHO country offices;Coordinate with the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region in strengthening the technical and scientific evidence and tools to provide timely, accurate and strategic information on climate change on health and the adaptation interventions;Implement the Pacific Islands Action Plan on Climate Change and Health and report their progress and achievements at the Pacific Health Ministers Meetings and other relevant meetings; andPerform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University Degree (Bachelors or above) 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: Advanced university degree in climate change or environmental science or engineering is considered advantageous.
 

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of working experience at the national and exposure at the international levels in the field of climate change, environmental health or environmental science, of which at least two years’ experience in technical and scientific works on 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 resilient healthcare facilities.
 

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 the 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 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 2479 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.
• 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 [email protected].
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• *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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