Unit Lead (NCD Management)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

TheSpecial Initiative on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Innovation (SNI)supports Member States in their work to free the WHO European Region fromavoidable NCDs. SNI recognizes both the urgency for immediate action as well asthe need for a visionary paradigm shift that puts NCDs higher on the politicaland health agendas for future generations. Therefore, SNI takes a dual-trackapproach, promoting accelerated progress toward the NCD-related SDG commitmentsfor 2030 (RACE to the Finish) while simultaneously championing the keygenerational shifts required, to address NCDs within the permacrisis (Vision2050), and achieve a sustainably healthier European Region. SNI’s commitment isto support Member States to achieve a healthier population and to close the gapin NCDs including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratorydiseases, and diabetes that persist within countries and across the Region. SNIis also charged with fostering Innovation in Public Health across the whole ofthe work of WHO in the European Region (not just for NCDs). SNI promotes anapproach to innovation that is forward thinking and agile, institutionalizinginnovation and adjusting to meet the changing needs of a vast region facingdemographic, societal and environmental shifts, emergencies, and rapidtechnological advances. The work under this area includes supporting anecosystem of innovators in health, matching innovative solutions with statedpublic health needs in countries, and pushing the envelope in trending areas suchas the application of artificial intelligence to public health.The WHO country office works with the National Authorities toachieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based onequity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions areengrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectivesof promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressinghealth emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage.WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Healthleadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms andstandards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providingtechnical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing healthtrends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Officefor Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities atcountry 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 theWHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meetingcitizens’ expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical,actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping inperspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-societyendeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the BiennialCollaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. TheWHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures informationexchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Healthissues to all national and international partners in the country, provision ofdirect technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagementand participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To support the Ministry of Health and relevant health authorities inUkraine with the aim of developing strategies and actions towards prevention,diagnosis, treatment and care of non-communicable diseases, in the context ofstrengthening non-communicable disease prevention and control and healthsystem. Support WHO’s interventions in the country in those areas. To supervisea team of technical officers and consultants in the field of non-communicablediseases. Keyduties: Under the supervisionof the Health Emergencies & Programme Lead and with guidance from the WHORepresentative and the Strategic Advisor to the RD on NCDs and Innovation inthe WHO regional office for Europe, the incumbent will assume the followingresponsibilities:Supervises a team of WHOstaff members, consultants and experts in non-communicable diseases;Supports policy dialoguewith the Member State in reducing risk factors and improving people centeredcare for non-communicable diseases, in line with the strategies and programmepriorities established at global, regional and national level; Coordinates andcommunicates the technical assistance needs in a timely, transparent andefficient manner. This includes communication with both internal and externalstakeholders;Supports non communicablediseases surveillance system in line with global, regional and nationalguidelines, strengthening national and regional core capacities;Plans and prepares regularvirtual conferences, face to face meetings and follow-up on action pointsdiscussed;Participates in preparationof visits of relevant WHO staff to the country through development of missionagenda, communication with national and international stakeholders and othersas required;Provides expert advice tothe Member State in regards to non-communicable diseases;Organizes tailoredcapacity building activities for national and, if appropriate, subnationalstakeholders and health managers in the country; Supports in preparation ofwork-plans and budgets for WHO technical activities based on technicalassistance needs in the country within the area of non-communicable diseases;develops and prepares technical and financial reports and other relevantdocuments; Initiates and/orparticipates in the design and implementation of operational research studiesand assists the Member State to translate the findings for evidence basedpolicy development;Raises awareness on theimportance of incorporating a human rights and gender equality perspective inpolicies, workshops, activities as appropriate;Performs other duties inthe scope of the assignment as requested.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor’s level) in medicine and/or public healthand/or Management.
Desirable: Advanced university degree (Master’s level) in any ofthe above.

Experience

Essential: At least -five years’ experience in health policy andpublic health work.Practical experience in implementing NCD programmes in WHO European Regionand/or in middle income countries.
Desirable: Experience inmanagement of public health projects in the WHO European Region or in the UNsystem. Demonstrated experience in team supervision.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of public health, epidemiology and particularlyof non-communicable diseases risk factors and services and/or diseaseprevention and control strategies and programmes. Ability to design andimplement studies, to conduct effective planning, to analyse data and to writeconcise reports. In depth knowledge of country context and health systems. Skills to plan, implementand evaluate public health interventions and improve performance on acontinuous basis. Management skills in leading and supervising a team andassigned budget. Emotionalawareness; Ability to identify and harness one’s emotions and apply them totasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’sown emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French,Russian,Germa.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 52,930 (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 [email protected]

• 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• 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 [email protected].

• 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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