OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The department of UHC (Universal Health Coverage) communicable diseases assists WHO Member States of the Eastern Mediterranean Region to reach the communicable diseases related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a Primary Health Care (PHC) for UHC approach. The scope of the department includes HIV, TB, Malaria, NTDs, immunization, anti-microbial resistance, and public health laboratories.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Support Member States through policy analysis and development of appropriate frameworks to promote national capacity for NTDs programmes taking into the circumstances of the environment, beneficiation, infrastructural needs and counterparts collaboration.
2. Provide overall coordination on technical advisory services on policies and strategies relating to NTDs through policy and situation analysis and the development and/or dissemination of frameworks and guidelines.
3. Develop institutional capacity for sustainable results on NTDs programmes in Member States through the provision of advice on the design of structures, the ability to assess risks and challenges and to monitor and evaluate outcomes according to specified indicators.
4. Coordinate the design of NTDs frameworks and guidelines for the Member States and their institutions including through the preparation of technical reports, discussion papers and technical studies based on research and analytical work.
5. Design and disseminate standard procedures, guidelines and tools for collection and analysis of information on NTDs.
6. Lead and expand WHO’s leadership in the area of NTDs.
7. Build partnerships and collaborate with appropriate technical networks, institutions, universities and WHO Collaborating Centres for developing appropriate training courses for national capacity building.
8. Foster collaboration and coordinate efforts with international partners and donor agencies to mobilize resources and facilitate effective utilization of resources for projects and new initiatives in the field of NTDs.
9. Lead and coordinate the information seminars and workshops and awareness/ advocacy campaigns on NTDs and promote WHO’s position.
10. Work in collaboration with colleagues at all levels in WHO and external partners and collaborators in advocacy to facilitate the implementation of joint NTDs action plans.
11. Coordinate and lead NTDs capacity building initiatives related to implementation of related international standards and norms.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in Medicine, Public Health or related field.
Desirable: Training in prevention, control, and elimination of tropical diseases.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the area of NTDs providing technical advice and policy development services at the international level. Within this experience, demonstrated professional experience at the regional or country level delivering and managing public health programmes while providing technical advice and support to regional and or country level counterparts.
Desirable: Some work exposure in a developing country context. Working experience with WHO, other UN agencies or international organizations.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge in prevention, control and elimination of NTDs.
• Excellent drafting skills to produce reports, policies and documents on NTDs.
• Proven ability to manage the work of a team requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and is able to integrate the work of the team into the assigned work programme.
• Excellent communication skills to provide expert advice on substantive issues and to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to action plans and WHO’s position in the assigned area(s).
• Ability to demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter; to meet commitments, observe deadlines and achieve results.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills to identify the key issues in a complex situation and finds solutions to problems and takes decisions with an eye to the impact on stakeholders and counterparts and on the Organization.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
  Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
  Communication
  Moving forward in a changing environment
  Promoting innovation and organizational learning
  Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of 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 2326 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.

• 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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