Unit Head – Vector Control & Resistance

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The strategic objective of the Global Malaria Programme (GMP) is to support Member States to adopt WHO’s malaria-related technical recommendations, and to advance implementation of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 (GTS), the GMP Operational Strategy2024-2030 and the Global Vector Control Response (GVCR). The major functions of the department as identified in the 2019 transformation process are: To play a leadership role in malaria, effectively supporting member states and rallying partners to reach Universal Health Coverage and achieve GTS goals and targets; To shape the research agenda and promote the generation of evidence to support global guidance for new tools and strategies through close engagement with the WHO Guidelines Development Group (GDG) and Guideline Review Committee (GRC); To develop ethical and evidence-based global guidance on malaria with effective dissemination to support adoption and implementation by national malaria programmes; and, To monitor and respond to global malaria trends and threats.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

General duties:

• Provides technical leadership, coordination and managerial support within the department/Programme, in the Unit of Vector Control and Resistance (VCR)ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
• Develops and proposes technical guidance and strategies for implementation and provides advice in developing capacity on vector control and insecticide resistance.
• Oversees unit staff 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 efficiently managing a team of technical staff, financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme’s deliverables in line with the mandate of the organization.
• Shapes research agenda on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
• Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize the performance of Programme deliverables.
• Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UNAgencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise.
• Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, donors, or research institutions in vector control and insecticide resistance to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or national policies.
• Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for vector control and insecticide resistance management.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific duties:

• Support coordination and implementation of the Global Vector Control Response; and Ensure coordinated action and support Member States in the prioritization of limited resources across the spectrum of malaria vector control interventions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An advance university degree in entomology, vector biology, vector control or public health related and/or related fields to the functions of the position.
  

Desirable:

• PhD in medical entomology, vector biology, vector control, public health, or related fields to functions of the position.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in operational vector control in endemic countries involving an appropriate mix of vector control and integrated vector control approaches, including experience in the area of health policy and strategy development.

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in planning, implementing or advising/supporting national malaria control programmes in malaria-endemic countries.

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in the development of new vector control interventions, products and/or technologies.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in managing human and financial resources.

• Minimum 5-7 years of demonstrated experience at the international level.

Desirable:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in leading national projects/programmes in the field of malaria prevention and control, and assessing their impact on public health, preferably in developing countries.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in developing and launching a national or global initiative in the area of vector control.

• Minimum 5 years of experience of work on Aedes mosquitoes and/or the control of Aedes-borne diseases

Skills

• Demonstrated skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programme.
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing guidance and strategies.
• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and raising and managing financial resources.
• Thorough knowledge of malaria, medical entomology and integrated vector management, complemented by demonstrated knowledge of current methods for research on malaria vectors, knowledge of the pipeline of new interventions for malaria vector control, as well as methods for the assessment and management of insecticide resistance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and record of contributions to, the scientific basis of malaria vector entomology.
• Broad and balanced experience in the principles and practices of all major forms of vector control.

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 French and Spanish. Intermediate knowledge of any another UN language (Russian, Chinese, Arabic).

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 7055 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.
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• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
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• 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.
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