Technical Officer (UHC – Healthier Population)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s UHC/Healthier Populations Division is to contribute to reducing health inequalities and reducing preventable disease and injury caused by environmental, social and economic determinants of health. This is achieved through a coordinated intersectoral approach aimed at enabling all people to enjoy better health and well-being, in line with the Organization’s 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13) and the Sustainable Development Goals. Within the Division, the Department of Social Determinants of Health leads WHO’s efforts on addressing the social, physical and economic conditions that impact upon health, by compiling and disseminating evidence on what works to address these determinants, building capacity and advocating for more action. The Department supports Member States and other partners to address violence and unintentional injuries and improve equity and well-being. This will be facilitated through cross-cutting initiatives on improving urban health, addressing economic determinants, and developing strategic frameworks and evidence-based policies. The incumbent builds and leads a competent and committed team in both the strategic and operational support of the Country in the respective field of public health. He/ She manages and enhances the team’s efforts with and across programmes in order to attain greater effectiveness of country-level work.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all, or part of the following,and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office. Act as the Team Lead for Universal Health Coverage/Healthier Populations (UHC/HP) Cluster. Provide technical and managerial coordination in the designated areas under the UHC/HP portfolio (that is, environment, climate change and health; health promotion, social determinants of health and health equity; nutrition and food safety; tobacco and reduction of other non-communicable disease risk factors; violence, or injuries and disabilities; demographic change and ageing), through a One-health approach, ensuring that the activities are carried out efficiently and effectively. Directly provide and/or coordinate technical expertise to advise the government and national stakeholders on the development of national strategies and policies and on the formulation, management, and implementation of the respective healthier populations work programme(s). Mobilize and optimize resources for the respective projects and programmes including through partnerships with donors and development partners (United Nations, other multilateral and bilateral organizations as well as nongovernmental organizations). Coordinate the engagement with UN partners and other stakeholders on matters relevant to the purpose of the position. Develop, coordinate and implement programmes for capacity building in the respective healthier populations areas and management and financing of the systems. Engage with other sectors beyond health that are key to healthier populations (environment, transport, agriculture, urban, energy, water, etc.) in order to identify common objectives that improve people’s lives, health, and well being. Serve as a technical resource concerning the multisectoral integration of programmes in healthier populations and mainstreaming of cross-cutting themes, such as health equity, commercial determinants, urban health, or migration and health or the use of behavioural sciences in implementing disease prevention and health promotion approaches. Represent WR in designated forums and function as a technical focal point for Healthier Populations’ programme areas. Promote and establish new community outreach activities to facilitate the expansion of networks that advance and/or focus on healthier populations’ programmatic work. Support the establishment of monitoring and surveillance systems and collection of data and evidence in the areas of interest.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s) in public health or related disciplines
Desirable: Post-graduate training or specialization in health systems

Experience

Essential: A minimum of seven years of work experience relevant to the position (in developing and implementing public health capacity-building policies/strategies and prevention or health promotion programmes), with some of it obtained in an international work environment. A minimum of three years of experience in Healthier Population programmes.Demonstrated professional experience working at the country and/or regional level providing technical services to Member States and other partners on public health programmes.
Desirable: The above-listed experience to have been obtained in an international context.

Skills

• Knowledge of approaches and solutions in health systems capacity building for healthier populations.• Knowledge and expertise in technical aspects of healthier populations health systems development and management at country level.• Knowledge of the relevant country’s public-health needs, priorities, and policies.• Skills to develop and revise policies and objectives of assigned programme and activities.• Skills to facilitate consensus and participate in resource mobilization activities.• Excellent communication skills to author reports, technical documents, and deliver presentations for high level audiences.• Ability to integrate, synthesize, and communicate complex, health-policy concepts and ideas.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

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

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 2578 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.

• 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 shws@who.int.

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