OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To provide technical support to the government in the development and implementation of evidence based RMNCAH policies and strategies, in order to provide access and quality health services to women, children and adolescents in an equitable manner. Guide in the harmonization of national and international efforts to ensure strengthening and improving RMNCAH programme. Guide in promotion of national RMNCAH programme with appropriate government commitment and support for RMNCAH programme in collaboration with national and international organizations responsible for strengthening and improving RMNCAH.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The principal duties of the incumbent are to:1. Provide technical and managerial leadership in the area of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health ensuring that the activities in this area are established and carried out efficiently and effectively.2. Provide technical leadership and policy advice to the country to advocate for and strengthen the national health systems from development, implementation and monitoring of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health interventions in partnership with other collaborating partners.3. Monitor country specific developments in respect of the programmatic areas covered, and report these to the regional office/Headquarters so that these findings can be utilized for strategy developmentpurposes4. Lead the development of new national strategies and policies through collaboration with the national authorities and recommend health development initiatives in the areas of health systems strengthening, partnership building and improvements in the planning and management of existing health systems for reduction of maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality in the countries.5. Establish and coordinate effective partnership with key stakeholders and donor agencies involved in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health including family Planning, promote making Pregnancy Safer and behavior change and develop and establish reproductive health policies.6. Oversee and coordinate work plans and budgets for team activities including resource mobilization for the work programme and ensure the implementation of planned activities.7. Review and analyze national Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health policies, strategies, plans and guidelines, programmes and related legislation. Lead and conduct research on reproductive health across the life cycleresearch.8. Coordinate programs for capacity building in the area of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and other related areas.9. Serve as a technical advisor to the public concerning sustainable health systems that contribute to improved Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and related programmes and services. Respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.10. Promote and establish a variety of new community outreach activities to facilitate the expansion of current and new health-care networks for improved Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health systems.11. Advocate, coordinate, and build partnerships with national counterparts, technical departments at AFRO, HQ and negotiate with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health systems and resolve issues or concerns and seek funding for new projects and work programmes.12. Perform all other related duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s level or above) in a health-related field (medicine, public health) with a specialization in reproductive health, pediatrics, obstetrics or other related field from an accredited/recognized institute
Desirable: Post-graduate degree in public health. Degree or Training in any one or more of the following areas: Reproductive Health, Obstetrics& Gynecology, Pediatrics, Adolescent Health, Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses, Infant and Young Child Nutrition, Health Programme Management, Epidemiology

Experience

Essential: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in reproductive health developing capacity and policies linked to high quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health care programmes. Within this experience, demonstrated professional experience working at the country and/or regional level providing technical advice and services to national counterparts, Ministries of Health, and other external partners on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health programmes
Desirable: Relevant work experience with WHO and/or UN agencies, health cluster partners; Experience managing diverse teams; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.

Skills

1. Excellent knowledge and expertise of country level situations with regard to Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent health systems development, strategic frameworks, management, innovations, with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting. 2. Extensive knowledge and skills in problem solving, planning and management, monitoring and evaluation, negotiation, and resource mobilization.3. Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological and technical advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners in Countries4. Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening healthcare systems. 5.Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities. 6.Demonstrated ability to understand and work on complex policy and programme issues related to Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent health care systems and safety regulations.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Ensuring the effective use of resources

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 3654 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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