Technical Officer (Legislation and Regulation)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Health Law and Ethics (HLE)HLE supports Member States to understand, develop, and implement quality and ethical legal frameworks for health. Grounded in human rights and international good practice standards, legal frameworks for health, guide transformative policies and innovative programming. To provide technical support to Member States in strengthening health laws and regulations in relation to health system administration, public health and health emergency law, universal health coverage, and governance.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical and operational advice for the legal aspect of Public health activities in the Western Pacific Region with focus on Pacific Islands for successful implementation of national health systems and public health policies.
2. Liaise with technical departments, Member States and HQ while undertaking research on public health topics, and the development and implementation of the public health programmes and activities.
3. Work in close liaison with technical divisions/areas/country offices to determine regulatory needs affecting health issues across the Western Pacific Region
4. Adapt and coordinate the development and implementation of technical guidelines, standard operational procedures, and other regulatory documents for improvement in the existing public health policies and health systems.
5. Build country and regional capacity for (a) health system strengthening, including in relation to universal health coverage, health administration, health workforce, private sector providers, and digital innovation; and (b) health emergency law including public health law and International Health Regulations.
6. Prepare and present legal opinions, briefs, and memos; prepare legal reports and reviews of legislation, as necessary.
7. Share and analyze legal frameworks in the Region in meetings.
8. Strengthen health systems through coordinating Member States’ activities beyond the health sector and across the whole-of-government, including parliament.
9. Provide technical insights in the development of mechanisms to implement new global initiatives and directions into country legislative and regulatory frameworks (e.g. support countries in their COVID-19 response actions such as regulation for implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions).
10. Be responsible to monitor activities and initiate region and global-wide reports for donors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in law
Desirable: Advanced university degree (master’s level or higher) in law, public health, international development, or related 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: Minimum of five years of relevant experience, with proven international exposure, in law review or reform. Experience in the review and development of legislation and regulation in public health or health systems law or law administered by the health sector.

Desirable: Experience in law reform related to countries in the Western Pacific Region. Experience working for a national government.

Skills

• Understanding of health systems frameworks to support health system establishment and operation
• Strong skills and ability to the use of legislative and regulatory approaches to support health system priorities and health system innovations
• Skills in analyzing and organizing facts and in presenting clear, logical, and legally sound opinions
• Proven ability to analyze and assess legal texts
• Proven ability to write legal and health policy documents project management skills knowledge of the specific or technical area of public health ability to develop plans and proposals
• Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct
• Ability to demonstrate gender equity and cultural appropriateness in the delivery of services to Member States

WHO Competencies

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

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

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 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 [email protected]

• 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.

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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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