Unit Head, Traditional Medicine Indigenous Knowledge & Biodiversity (TIB)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The World Health Organization (WHO) is dedicated to the health and well-being of all people. Guided by science WHO leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance to live a healthy life. Towards this mission, the WHO Universal Health Coverage Life Course division (UHL) supports countries to advance the primary health care (PHC) approach and essential health system capacities for universal health coverage (UHC) with improved health service coverage and financial protection to address inequity and gender inequalities. WHO works with 194 Member States across 6 regions and has offices in 150 locations.

The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (TMC) is a WHO headquarters department in UHL that is outposted to Jamnagar, Gujarat in India. The TMC operates within WHO’s General Programme of Work and the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Strategy and works in close collaboration with the WHO Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative (TCI) Unit, Headquarters technical departments, Regional and Country Offices, other UN agencies, and other partners to support traditional medicine related policies, practice and public use.

There are five main technical workstreams at the WHO/TMC, namely:

1. Traditional Medicine Research and Evidence, which advances TM scientific evidence and strengthens Member States’ capacities to prioritize and conduct robust research;
2. Traditional Medicine, PHC and UHC, which strengthens TM within national health systems, using a data-driven PHC approach towards the realization of UHC;
3. Traditional Medicine Indigenous Knowledges & Biodiversity, which promotes equitable and fair access to benefits of Indigenous Knowledge and sustaining biodiversity;
4. Traditional Medicine Digital Health Applications, which uses digital health applications to facilitate development and access to TM knowledge, goods and services; and,
5. Traditional Medicine Global Summit, which is convened biennially by the TMC and is a platform for all stakeholders of traditional medicine, including policymakers, TM professionals and practitioners, the public, Indigenous Peoples, academics, private sector, civil society, community representatives, and others to exchange knowledge and share best practices.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provides technical leadership, coordination, and managerial oversight of the TIB Unit in TMC, ensuring that activities in this programme area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
2. Oversees a unit of technical staff specialized in various domains and areas of expertise and promotes effective and collaborative team working to ensure respective porgramme areas and their set objectives are delivered through effective and efficient management of financial resources and work planning.
3. Develops and implements programme area policies and strategies in collaboration with other TMC units, Headquarters departments, Regional and Country Offices.
4. Provides technical advice to Member States and partners on matters related to traditional medicine regarding Indigenous Knowledge and biodiversity and supports related capacity building efforts as needed.
5. Leads and conducts research in the programme area and facilitates dissemination of information to strengthen capacities in respective areas of work.
6. Manages the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the programme area and meeting key performance indicators and reporting requirements.
7. Serves as an expert technical reference on the programme area among peers, UN Agencies, and other stakeholders.
8. Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in the traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine evidence and learning to position the technical area of work and implementation into global, regional and/or national policies.
9. Represents the programme area at various meetings, engages in advocacy, policy and stakeholder dialogues, and establishes/strengthens partnerships, including with governments, academia, professional associations, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, civil society, private sector, collaborating centres and other stakeholders to achieve the programme objectives in line with the mission of the Organization.
10. Contributes to resource mobilization including, but not limited to, drafting concept notes and proposals and participating in resource mobilization efforts, in close coordination with WHO resource mobilization teams and other relevant technical programmes.
11. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

An advanced University Degree (Master’s level) in Environmental Health, Biodiversity, Indigenous Health or Medicine, Anthropology or other fields related to the functions of the position.

Desirable:

A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience managing public health programmes related to environmental health, biodiversity, indigenous health or medicine, anthropology with focus on traditional, complementary, or integrative medicine or other fields related to the functions of the position.
• Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources.
• Demonstrated experience at the international level.
  

Desirable:

• Working experience in a senior management role, at international, regional, or global level.
• Demonstrated management ability pertaining to large and multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural projects.
• Experience working in the UN or collaborating with the UN is an added advantage.

Skills

• Proven leadership and coordination abilities and ability to formulate and communicate clearly the vision and strategy of the programme area.
• Established skills in planning, management and coordination of health and multisectoral programmes.
• Strong research, data and analytical experience and expertise relevant to the technical area, and record of related scientific publications.
• Stewardship and management of multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Aptitude for resource mobilization and management of financial resources in alignment with organizational policies and strategies.
• Ability to engage and coordinate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, academia, civil society, private sector, donor institutions, and other stakeholders, including the media and the public.
• Capacities to work effectively in changing environments, to overcome challenges and adapt as needed to achieve the mission.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of another UN recognized language.

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 3586 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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