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Qualifications

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

A key purpose of the WHO Health System Strengthening Framework for Action is to promote a common understanding of what a health system is and what constitutes health systems strengthening. It also provides a basis to support countries in scaling up health systems and services: addressing bottlenecks in a collaborative, coordinated way, driven by desired health outcomes, to achieve sustainable system-wide effects. To be most effective, this process must be country-led, based on priorities set out in comprehensive national health plans.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

To provide technical support, and coordinate WCO support to national programs and activities pertaining to Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health

·       Strengthen institutional capacity to develop health promotion policy and implement appropriate interventions.

·       Develop required human resources to respond to country needs and challenges in health promotion and social determinants of health

·       Strengthen health promotion operational research, documentation, and sharing of experiences in best practice;

·       Undertake advocacy for implementation of health promotion interventions in health and related sectors as well as the reinforcement of partnerships, networks and alliances;

·       Mobilize resources for development of health promotion at national and lower levels;

Ensure incorporation of the health promotion component into WHO programmes/activities.

Organizational Context

Reporting to the Health Systems Lead, under the overall guidance of the Head of WHO Country Office, and in close collaboration with the respective technical leads in the respective regional office and HQ, the Technical Officer will be accountable for providing technical support towards the establishment of a national health promotion approach that enables people in leading healthy lives and leverages laws and policies to promote healthy lifestyles. The program is a cross cutting one that supports all WHO programs. The NPO, Health promotion, will use AFRO guidelines and other relevant documents to coordinate WCO support to national programs and activities pertaining to health promotion. The incumbent shall work as a team member in planning executing their responsibilities.

SUMMARY OF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Provide guidance on review/development of national policies, programs and structures for determinants of health and health promotion; 
• Coordinate actions aimed at addressing the broad determinants of health that influence health and well-being; 
• Support priority health programs to increase individual, community and societal participation in health action especially through empowerment; 
• Provide technical support on application of methods such as behaviour change communication, health education, social mobilization and advocacy in health programs; 
• Coordinate the public health communication component of the WCO, including where necessary process documentation, media relations and materials development. 

·       Support the adoption of healthy lifestyles with the involvement of individuals and communities as equal partners in the planning, developing, and monitoring of their care.

·       Maximize opportunities to create healthy environments, address modifiable risk factors and determinants of health, implement comprehensive school health services, and eliminate harmful traditional practices.

·       Accelerate progress in achieving road safety, tobacco-free societies, alcohol-free societies and healthy diets by supporting the full implementation of evidence-based measures to reduce the associated health risks.

·       Adopt a people-centered approach to increase the responsiveness of health services, including those related to mental health, neurologic and substance-use problems through early detection and management of acute and chronic conditions.

·       Proactively address the risk factors through supporting awareness raising activities

·       Organizing training, orientation and evaluation for national health promotion and social determinants of health policies, programs and activities.

·       Participating in the design and review of actions aimed at tackling the broad (underling) determinants of health.

·       Coordinating interventions aimed at empowering individuals, communities and society for health action.

·       Advising on use of behaviour change communication, health education, social mobilization and advocacy in support of specific programs.

·       Coordinating the development and implementation of public health communication interventions for the program of collaboration and for specific programs.

·       Documenting best practice, facilitating inter-country exchange of information and relating with the media.

• Support operational research in the area of health promotion and social determinants of health 
• Coordinate interventions aimed at capacity building and human resource development pertaining to health promotion and social determinants of health. 

·       Performing any other activities assigned by the WR.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

First University Degree in health promotion, public health OR a basic degree in any health-related field with post graduate qualifications in a health development subject area such as health education, health communication, medical sociology/anthropology, education, population studies, with good knowledge of health promotion theory and practice.

Desirable:

Master’s Degree in Public Health or related field. Knowledge of or qualification in social determinants of health.

Experience

Essential:

Minimum of five (5) years’ experience working with national/international agencies dealing with health promotion, public health, or development.

Desirable:

Experience working with United Nations or International Nongovernmental Organizations.

FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

–       Technical expertise in public health. Ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international level;

–       Skills in design of studies, analysis of data and writing reports.

WHO COMPETENCIES

1.     Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

2.     Producing results

3.     Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

4.     Teamwork.

5.     Communicating in a credible and effective way

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Excellent knowledge of English is required

Knowledge of the local language is essential

Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.

OTHER SKILLS (e.g. IT Skills)

Excellent understanding of participatory learning and development, Internet-based learning and networking as well as command of word-processing, spreadsheet and database.

REMUNERATION

The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 31,147.00 payable in the local currency (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 workforce. 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 and 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 typer 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 short-listed candidates. 
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. 
• 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered. 
• This is a National Position for Ethiopia.  Therefore, only applications from Ethiopians will be accepted.  Applicants who are not Ethiopians will not be considered. 
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int. 
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. 
• 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.