OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the WHO Nepal Country Office is to implement the Country Cooperation Strategy by supporting the Government of Nepal in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national health policies, strategies and plans and developing and managing WHO’s technical cooperation programmes at the country level. The Country Office collaborates with the Government of Nepal and relevant stakeholders in support of their efforts of achieving national health goals; of ensuring the attainment of universal health coverage and of contributing to global and regional public health action by providing need-based technical assistance in national level policy formulation, setting norms and standards, improving knowledge dissemination and management, monitoring country health situation and building sustainable institutional capacity, to play a greater leadership role in different national level policy and technical forums. WHO has identified that technical support to MoHP on mental health will be critical to achieve Universal Health Coverage and the targets of the SDGs. The support is critical to plan administrative structure and organize mental health service in the evolving federal health structure. Additionally, there is need to support MoHP to strengthen road safety and injury prevention and mainstreaming the heath needs of people with disabilities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative and the direct supervision of the Team Lead for NCD and Mental Health Unit and in collaboration with other teams within WCO Nepal and key external stakeholders, the incumbent will perform the following:

1. Support the implementation of a multi-sectoral coordinated action for mental health promotion to sustainable mental health system development through advocacy, coordination and partnerships.

2. Provide technical support on the evidence-based and cost-effective best practices for promoting mental health and brain health, preventing suicide and strategies to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental health.

3. Facilitate research, monitoring and evaluation of mental health, neurological conditions and substance use disorders to improve service delivery, promotion and prevention strategies into primary health care system and health emergencies.

4. Assist MoHP and relevant partners in mainstreaming the rights of the persons with disabilities through inclusion of disability and rehabilitation as a component in national plans and programs and to implement the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UN CRPD).

5. Support in identification of gaps, specification of needs for developing mental health workforce, capacity building for in-service health workers as well as integrating mental health competencies in undergraduate and graduate educational curricula.

6. Support in implementing the decade of action for road safety and translation of WHO’s commitments at the country level.

7. Support workstreams on rehabilitation, assistive technology and strengthening disability inclusive policies and health services.

8. Support in injury prevention, improving routine trauma services and responses during health emergencies.

9. Any other duties/tasks as assigned by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medicine (MBBS) and trainings in mental health, road safety or disability.
Desirable: Advanced university degree in mental health from a recognized university.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of experience in development and implementation of public mental health programs, program evaluation and research, and translating evidence into national laws, policies and programmes.
Desirable:

• Experience of working in international organizations preferably in the UN and WHO System.
• Working experience with national and international partners and government department.
• Experience in providing clinical mental health service.
• Experience working on disability or road safety.
• Experience in translating projects into peer reviewed publications.

Skills

• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Effective internal and external networking
• Proven ability to work under pressure and multitask
• Excellent interpersonal skills, tact, discretion and diplomacy
• Technical expertise
• Overall attitude at work are also required mandatory competencies.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Nepali.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at NPR 3,427,353 (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 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.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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