OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Division is to define, advance, promote and monitor comprehensive policies and strategies that prevent, reduce, and mitigate drug-resistant infections and the overall impact of antimicrobial resistance globally based on the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance and the 14thGlobal Programme of Work of WHO and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also provides global direction and strategic leadership for the global response to antimicrobial resistance in coordination with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) another United Nations and international agencies and facilitates the creation of common goal and vision through innovative partnerships, political engagement and promoting multisectoral engagement and synergy across the One Health spectrum in humans, animals, plants, food, feed and the environment. Its main objective is to support the development, implementation, and monitoring of One Health National Action Plans for Member States and facilitate the mainstreaming of effective strategies and actions, including on the prevention and control of infection, antimicrobial stewardship, awareness creation and communication, research and development in their health and development agendas in partnership with FAO, UNEP and WOAH another key partners.

The Department of Global Coordination and Partnership on AMR leads and coordinates the global One Health multisectoral response to AMR in cooperation with FAO, UNEP, WOAH as well as other agencies, civil society, and the private sector, towards a world free from the suffering of drug-resistant infections.

The Department has the following functions in line with WHO’s General Programme of Work to protect antimicrobials important for human health and mitigate drug-resistant infections:

Leads the global One Health multisectoral response to AMR across the human, animal, plant, food, feed and environment sectors, through multisectoral engagement and interventions, and strengthening advocacy and awareness;

Facilitates global coordination and interagency engagement and partnership for creation and sustenance of shared global vision and goals;

Shapes the research and development agenda through innovation, priority setting and supporting global initiatives that enable the generation, translation and dissemination of knowledge;

Facilitates, nurtures and scales up evidence-based interventions to enhance, awareness, and understanding of AMR across the One Health spectrum. The Quadripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR consolidates cooperation between WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) drawing on their core mandates to support the global response across the One Health spectrum through global advocacy and political engagement, creation of a shared vision and goals, and providing Secretariat services for global governance structures. The Quadripartite Joint Secretariat is hosted by WHO with dedicated liaison officers in FAO, UNEP and WOAH headquarters. It manages the day-to-day operations of the joint work of the Quadripartite organisations on AMR.

The Governance and Strategic Initiatives Unit provides strategic leadership to the AMR Governance structures, coordinates engagement with political stakeholders. Its work involves managing the Global Leaders Group operations, linking to other AMR governance structures, and spearheading high-level political advocacy activities for AMR across sectors, particularly coordinating political efforts geared towards raising AMR profile amongst UN, G7, G20, Regional economic blocks and others. Furthermore, the unit initiates and incubates AMR transformative priorities requiring intense political support during the inception and initial phases of the implementation across sectors.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Analyses and performs research to contribute to the establishment and functioning of global governance structures on AMR.
2. Liaises with colleagues in WHO and with counterparts in FAO, WOAH and UNEP on the facilitation of the overall work of the global governance structures on AMR, including contributing to the smooth communications among technical teams and monitoring the day-to-day activities of the Secretariat.
3. Provides input into the development of technical documentation that will contribute to the overall goal of the global governance structures on AMR.
4. Creates tools to monitor the building of new partnerships and networks and provides input in identifying opportunities to raise the profile of global governance structures on AMR in collaboration with the Quadripartite organisations.
5. Liaises with colleagues in WHO and with counterparts in FAO, WOAH and UNEP on the facilitation of meetings of global governance structures, including preparation of background documents as well as writing meeting reports and following up their recommendations.
6. Serves as a technical resource at counterpart level concerning global governance structures with Quadripartite organisations.
7. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• A first level university degree in public health, environmental studies, social sciences, veterinary medicine or related field.

Desirable:

•  An advanced university degree in public health, public policy or management, environmental studies, veterinary medicine or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years of professional experience working in the field of antimicrobial resistance.
•  Experience coordinating inputs from stakeholders, supporting high-level events, conducting analysis and research on public health topics related to antimicrobial resistance.
• Experience in supporting global structures or initiatives on communicable diseases or antimicrobial resistance.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated exposure at the international level.

Skills

• Good knowledge and skills of programme management as well as coordination across agencies.
• Knowledge dealing with key global stakeholders in AMR including the Quadripartite organisations.
• Knowledge of public health topics and health systems development and management 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.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening the functions of the governance structures.
• Proven knowledge of antimicrobial resistance and its political considerations, and experience with pandemic preparedness and response governance preferred.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

•  Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French. 
• Intermediate knowledge of other UN languages. 

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 64,121 (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 5167 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.

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• 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.

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• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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