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Qualifications

Overview of the programme

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving financial protection against health-related risks.

WHO Country Office for India is supporting the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to strengthen the existing health systems to cater to the growing needs of mental health and substance abuse, palliative care and elderly care in the country.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products , and (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.9 billion people, with India’s population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life people in India by supporting the government in prevention and control of mental health and substance use disorders, psychosocial issues during health emergencies, palliative care and elderly care in the country etc. and strengthening health systems for UHC.

In 2017, the WHO Country Office in India launched the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) network to support the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, Kala Azar, and Leprosy. This network collaborates with Union and State governments, focusing on disease surveillance, prevention activities (like mass drug administration and indoor residual spraying), capacity building, drug supply chain management, transmission assessment surveys, and operational research. WHO’s field NTDs coordinator is providing assistance in areas like surveillance assessment, targeted interventions, outbreak preparedness, and real-time reporting contributing to NTDs elimination.

Description of Duties:

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India, Deputy Head of WHO Country Office for India and Team Leader Communicable Diseases, and day-to-day supervision of the State Coordinator-NTDs, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities for a cluster of districts in her/his assigned area of work:

·    Liaise with and coordinate with the senior district health administration to ensure population and service coverage of preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of various National Health Programmes for NTDs.

·      Assist districts in the organization of training programmes and act as a resource person to strengthen the capacity of the district and block level health functionaries in various neglected tropical diseases.

·        Participate and assist State Coordinator-NTDs in data quality assessments, coverage supervision tool and coverage evaluation.

·      Undertake the strengthening of information systems and health intelligence for decision-making as well as provide technical guidance in   evidence generation for various neglected tropical diseases.

·        Provide technical guidance to districts in the monitoring, surveillance and pharmacovigilance aspects of select NTDs.

·        Work in collaboration with the NPSP offices to ensure the effectiveness in the implementation and management of the NTDs programme.

·        Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor(s).

Education:

Essential: University degree in Allopathic Medicine- MBBS or equivalent (MCI/State Medical Council registration essential) or public health or Epidemiology or equivalent from a recognized institution/university.

Desirable: Post graduation in Community Medicine/Preventive & Social medicine/Public Health/Tropical Medicine/Epidemiology/Management or Health Administration/other allied fields

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions. The list

can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Experience:

Essential: At least one (1) year of public health experience after graduation of working with the Government, UN agencies.

Desirable: Candidates with experience in public health/program management at district, divisional and state level and/or experience of working in the field of Vector Borne Diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases would be an added advantage

Languages: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of local language will be an asset.

Competencies:

•         Teamwork
•         Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
•         Communication
•         Producing results
•             Knowing and managing yourself

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization. Thorough knowledge of the situation in India about VBDs and NTDs, especially on kala azar, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminths and other neglected tropical diseases with good understanding of country’s needs and priorities, of issues and policies in various aspects of control of health systems organization. Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas.

• Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence.
•  Leadership, coordination, and supervision skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and subnational levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical issues.
•  Ability to analyse, synthesize, evaluate, interpret and consolidate information from multiple sources and use for public health decision making and advocacy.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors.
• Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment.
• Modem management skills (planning and evaluation, etc.).
• Demonstrated skill in the formulation, design, development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare and monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements.
• Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly.
•  Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports.
• Knowledge of WHO/UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage.

Remuneration:

Monthly remuneration is INR 157,449 taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he will be posted at District in India.

The position may require extensive travel (can be up to 15 days in a month) to the states and districts.

The Zonal Coordinator, NTD is a national of the country (India) where he/she is to serve, is recruited locally and is not subject to assignment to any official station outside the home country.

Additional information:

• This Vacancy Notice will be used for immediate filling of vacancies in Dumka, Jharkhand and Bhagalpur, Bihar.
• This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
•  A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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.
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•  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/diversityequity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
•      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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
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• 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.
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•   This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
•    Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
•   Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Applications which are not completed in all respects will not be considered.