Unit Head – Management of Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, Rehabilitation and Disability (NCD) is responsible for global leadership, coordination, guidance and technical support to reduce premature mortality and morbidity from NCDs, burden of sensory impairments and oral health through prevention and integrated service delivery, treatment, surveillance, rehabilitation, monitoring and research. The Department also lead WHO’s work on disability. The department provides overall coordination and brings together the work on NCD prevention, control and rehabilitation from across the departments and from the three levels of the organization. It coordinates reports to the WHO and UN governing bodies and is the main interlocutor on NCDs. The department assists and support regions and countries in their efforts to provide a country-centered, concerted and coordinated action to strengthen health systems to respond to NCDs, oral diseases and sensory impairment. The department also ensures linkages between primary and secondary prevention using technical packages and harnessing innovation and use of technology including Be Healthy Be Mobile.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Provides technical leadership, coordination and managerial support within the Department/Programme, in the Unit of NCD management ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
• Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the early detection, screening, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases for strengthening and improving technical capacity of Member States.
• Contributes to cross-departmental and cross-cluster project/special WHO initiatives for optimal integration of prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in respect of health systems and life-course and care continuum.
• Develops the programme for NCDs in emergencies building on the experiences in the region and working with WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) and other relevant departments in WHO and across the UN.
• Oversees a unit of technical teams specialized in various domains within their area of expertise and facilitates the efficient flow of team synergies.
• Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a small team of technical staff, financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme’s deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
• Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
• Promotes, leads and provides strategic direction for the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge and research related to management of NCDs.
• Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables.
• Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise.
• Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in NCD management to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies.
• Represents the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for NCD management.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An advanced-level university degree in medicine or health sciences (community health, epidemiology, health administration).
  

Desirable:

• PhD in public health.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the management of noncommunicable disease prevention and control -including treatment of NCDs.
• A minimum of 7 – 10 years of professional experience in the area of health policies and strategies and implementation of NCD services.
• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources. A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience at the international level, partnerships and multisectoral engagement.

Desirable:

• Relevant work experience in low and middle income countries and humanitarian settings.

Skills

• Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies.
• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.
• Good skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
• Extensive knowledge in medical and disease control aspects relevant to the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes).
• Excellent leadership, project management and performance management skills.
• Ability to foster teamwork and to establish and maintain effective and transparent working relationships at all levels.
• Strong presentation skills.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Driving the Organization’s Position in Health Leadership
• 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 other UN Official languages (Arabic, French, Russian, Spanish or Chinese).

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 92,731 (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 6932 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 toreasonableaccommodation@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 theWHO Values Charterinto 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 atshws@who.int.
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