Technical Officer (NCDs Health Service Delivery; NPO)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Special Initiative on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Innovation (SNI)supports Member States in their work to free the WHO European Region from avoidable NCDs. SNI recognizes both the urgency for immediate action as well as the need for a visionary paradigm shift that puts NCDs higher on the political and health agendas for future generations. Therefore, SNI takes a dual-track approach, promoting accelerated progress toward the NCD-related SDG commitments for 2030 (RACE to the Finish) while simultaneously championing the key generational shifts required, to address NCDs within the perma-crisis (Vision2050), and achieve a sustainably healthier European Region. SNI’s commitment is to support Member States to achieve a healthier population and to close the gap in NCDs including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes that persist within countries and across the Region. SNI is also charged with fostering Innovation in Public Health across the whole of the work of WHO in the European Region (not just for NCDs). SNI promotes an approach to innovation that is forward thinking and agile, institutionalizing innovation and adjusting to meet the changing needs of a vast region facing demographic, societal and environmental shifts, emergencies, and rapid technological advances. The work under this area includes supporting an ecosystem of innovators in health, matching innovative solutions with stated public health needs in countries, and pushing the envelope in trending areas such as the application of artificial intelligence to public health.

The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii)setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options;(v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020-2025-“United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens’ expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of this position is to support technical and coordination support to the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in Ukraine, with a particular emphasis on individual services across the continuum of care (clinical prevention, early detection/screening, treatment of acute and chronic conditions, palliative care) for the four major NCD conditions (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer). Specific areas of responsibility include the implementation of the WHO Signature Initiative, HEARTS Technical Package, global initiatives on childhood cancer, and the implementation of the relevant WHO best buys and recommended interventions for NCD prevention and control.

Activities & Coordination:

• Support the Ministry of Health (MOH), Public Health Center, National Health service of Ukraine and other national partners in developing, implementing and evaluating national strategies and policies in NCD/NCC prevention and control at national and subnational levels;
• Support the MOH in updating and adapting relevant guidelines, materials and tools;
• Support MOH and other public agencies in performing training needs assessments and organizing and implementing training activities;
• Coordinate together with MOH counterparts joint actions such as working groups, roundtables, meetings to facilitate NCD/NCC programme implementation at national and subnational levels
• Document experience for later review;
• Facilitate smooth information flow of BCA activities between MOH and other involved institutions through sharing of reports, meetings, etc.;
• Prepare the missions for WHO staff and external consultants addressing NCD/NCC programme areas and monitor and follow up their recommendations;
• Undertake jointly with MOH counterparts regular monitoring of the implementation of BCA;
• Prepare regular reports and updates to WHO CO and EURO;
• Facilitate partner and stakeholder coordination in the area of NCD/NCC prevention and control;
• Explore opportunities for fundraising for the area of NCD/NCCs.;
• Provide support to cross-divisional and intercountry activities as requested.
• Provide assistance in other areas of the work of Country Office and SNI as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medicine, public health or related area.
Desirable: Master’s degree in any of the above areas or postgraduate training in a relevant NCD specialty such as cardiology, endocrinology, oncology and/or family medicine or similar.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of professional experience within the area of NCD/NCCs including experience working with NCDs clinical specialties (such as cardiology, endocrinology, oncology and/or family medicine) and/or programmes.
Desirable: Relevant experience in public health. Relevant experience with(in) WHO,UN agency or international organization.

Skills

Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the prevention and control of NCDs/NCCs in Ukraine. Demonstrated knowledge of the national health system. Excellent computers kills, including a standard package of office applications. Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 38,776 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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