Technical Officer (Environment and Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Climate Change, Health, and Environment (CHE) unit under the Department of Healthier Populations (EM/HPD) is responsible for developing and managing regional programmes for supporting Member States in their endeavour to protect human health from environmental risks including air pollution and exposure to toxic chemicals. The Air Quality and Health and Chemical Safety Programs provide technical guidance, programmatic support, advisory consultations and related services to Member States and partner agencies to heighten the leadership role of the public health sector in regulation, surveillance and management of environmental risks in the fields of air pollution and exposure to chemicals:

The Air Quality and Health program provides technical support to countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region in the development of normative guidance, tools and provision of authoritative advice on health issues related to air pollution and its sources. The program leads monitoring and reporting on regional and national trends and changes in health outcomes associated with actions taken to address air pollution at the national, regional and global scales.

The Chemical Safety and Health Program: provides technical support on the sound management of chemicals; strengthens national capabilities and capacities for chemical safety; publishes information and establishes norms, guidelines and guidance on chemicals of concern, provides support to Member States on poisons prevention, information and management as well as on chemical incidents and emergencies; and promotes health in international conventions and agreements, leads implementation of the WHO Chemicals Road Map.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Area of specialization: Air Pollution, Occupational & Chemical Safety

1. Develop and update the national profiles on air quality and health and chemicals and health in the 22 countries of the Region.
2. Enhance monitoring and reporting mechanisms on the health impacts of air pollution and exposure to toxic chemicals in the region.
3. Develop, adapt, and streamline tools and guidance for assessing and addressing the health impacts of air pollution, and exposure to toxic chemicals.
4. Ensure the effective implementation against the relevant indicators of the GPW14, and the global WHO strategy on climate change, health and environment 2017-30.
5. Conduct capacity build to Member States for monitoring the SDG14 air quality and toxic chemicals relevant indicators, and institutional reporting.
6. Manage the timely delivery of technical support to the pilot global and regional projects at the national levels in coordination with the WHO Headquarters (HQ) and the WHO Country Offices focal points.
7. Manage the implementation of the WHO Global and Regional frameworks of action on air quality and health, and exposure to toxic chemicals.
8. Develop funding proposals to donors and partners to mobilize funds for regional and national air quality and health, and chemical safety projects to facilitate implementation of relevant multinational agreements.
9. Collaborate with and partner with sister UN agencies and other institutions and partners, to provide technical support and consultation to Member States.
10. Collaborate with the WHE/CPI unit of EMRO in building capacities on preparedness for chemical and radio-nuclear events.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University Degree in Environmental Health Science, Public Health Sciences, or Environmental Engineering.
Desirable: Master’s Degree in environmental science, engineering and management, and/or public health.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of combined relevant experience with proven international exposure in managing environmental health programmes including air quality and health and chemicals and health.

Demonstrated experience in managing projects and preparing project proposals on air quality and health, and chemicals and health. Demonstrated experience in relevant capacity building.
Desirable: Professional experience in capacity building/education and training.

Skills

Good understanding of the global and regional initiatives related to environmental health, air quality and health and chemicals and health.

Ability to identify constraints and opportunities in the introduction of new and innovative environmental health intervention strategies and actions.

Ability to function effectively in a team setting within a cross-cultural and multi-sectoral environment.

Ability to write and make presentations in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual, evidence-based information.

Ability to prepare project proposal, manage projects and prepare and submit reports according to donor’s requirements.

Ability to organize and conduct capacity building programmes and materials.

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO global competency model

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Arabic.

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 1774 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.

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• 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.

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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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