OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The incumbent provides senior leadership in the conceptualization, prioritization and establishment of research, technological and methodological innovations, and evidence synthesis in adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. In overseeing this work, the incumbent develops, coordinates, and leads international collaborative efforts, engages in WHO Organization-wide initiatives, and provides senior-level technical expertise into the policy development and advocacy activities in the field, contributing to the broader goal of improving comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights globally.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Focussing on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights the incumbent will:

(1) Serve as the lead and senior technical and scientific reference in adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights among the peer community, Member States, HRP UN cosponsors and other UN Agencies, WHO Regional and Country Offices, and other stakeholders and will provide authoritative advice on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights when requested.

(2) Oversee, develop and implement a research agenda and research priorities, informed by contemporary global health challenges, the scientific expertise and literature, recommendations of HRP advisory bodies, input from Member States and cosponsoring agencies, colleagues, managers and other stakeholders. Based on research priorities developed, the incumbent will ensure the development and establishment of strategic and operational plans for research and human capital development in this area.

(3) Lead and oversee research activities, including:(i) the conceptualization and development of research protocols, (ii) identification and recruitment of national partner research institutions, (iii) conceptualization and production of research agreements, (iv) organization of scientific meetings, (v) coordinate the facilitation of training workshops, (vi) conducting research site monitoring visits, (vii) collaborations with data management companies or organizations, (viii) oversight of the network of institutions participating in the research projects, (ix) analysis, write-up and publication of results, (x) evaluation of processes and results in preparation for subsequent research projects.

(4) Coordinate the strengthening of the capacity of research centres to ensure high-quality research that is compliant with WHO Institutional scientific and ethical standards.

(5) Synthesize evidence, carry out and commission systematic reviews of the literature in the field, input to evidence-based clinical and managerial guidelines.

(6) Ensure the writing and preparation of technical progress reports to governing and advisory bodies, WHO reporting requirements, and donors.

(7) Ensure adequate publication, conceptualize and draft manuscripts in the scientific literature of research outputs, and lead related communications activities to strengthen the dissemination, adaptation and use of WHO and HRP outputs by WHO Member States, working in close collaboration with the HRP communications team and the WHO Department of Communications.

(8) Build and maintain strong partnerships with governments, NGOs, private sector, and other stakeholders to generate and use evidence for increased access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights.

(9) Lead fundraising activities for increased financial support in this area of work.

(11) Carry out other tasks, as required by the Unit Head and Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree (Master’s level or above) in public health, epidemiology, or another field that contributes to adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Desirable: Ph.D. in a field related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of experience in research and research management relating to adolescent sexual and reproductive health, including experience at the international level.
• At least 5 years of direct experience in leading research projects in adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

Desirable:

• Working experience in a UN agency or an international nongovernmental organization in low- and middle-income countries.

Skills

• Expert knowledge of adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights and its public health aspects.
• Strong research, analytical and scientific writing skills, as evidenced by a track record of peer-review scientific publications in the area of adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Fundraising knowledge and skills, as evidenced by previous success in mobilizing resources.
• Strong communication and diplomatic skills.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Expert knowledge of French.
• Intermediate knowledge of Other UN 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 6769 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.

• 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 at shws@who.int.

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