OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Guided by the WHO’s General Programme of Work, biennial programme budgets and the new regional strategic direction for the Western Pacific, the Food Safety Programme aims to provide safer food for all and to protect people’s health by advancing national food safety systems. The programme aims to strengthen food safety systems by keeping people and countries at the centre, building partnerships across sectors, stakeholders and national borders and by positioning food safety in a broader context of sustainable development.

Support is provided through facilitation of policy dialogue and provision of technical assistance to Member States in the areas of food safety policy and legal frameworks; riskbased food inspection and enforcement; food safety communications and education; food safety incident and emergency response; and food safety information underpinning evidence.

Implementation of the programme takes place in close collaboration with other technical programmes of WHO and in close collaboration with development partners, donors, academia, private sector and civil society organizations.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.

Advise on the planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of food safety and foodborne diseases workplans and activities, in compliance with WHO’s overall strategy and guidelines.

Analyse the impact of the Organization’s technical cooperation in food safety on public health, utilizing measurements of the burden of foodborne diseases and indicators of risk to food safety.

Promote interprogrammatic coordination with other technical entities in the development and implementation of food safety efforts.

Facilitate the development and implementation of regulatory and nonregulatory measures to address foodborne diseases, their causes and risk factors among affected and atrisk population.

Provide technical advice on riskbased food inspection and enforcement, food safety emergency response plans and on food recall protocols.

Provide technical guidance to monitor the implementation of specific activities related to food safety in order to improve the data collection and reporting at all levels.

Support strengthening foodborne diseases surveillance, identify the constraints and gaps and provide technical solutions to improve the system, using available WHO tools.

Codevelop, with partners, a strategic plan for capacity building to strengthen the food safety system through the food chain, including the capacity of food safety authorities, in the prevention and management of foodborne diseases, where appropriate.

Support national partners and mobilize WHO resources to rapidly address and manage food safety events

Contribute to the interprogrammatic collaboration at regional level and work with relevant teams in WHO and with partners, including the One Health Quadripartite, on the work related to One Health to support food safety actions in the Region;

Engage and support collaborative networks and relevant working groups involving regional, international organizations, governmental and nongovernmental institutions, academia, professional and scientific societies engaged in Food Safety and One Health;

Perform any other related incidentspecific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (Master’s level or abovin microbiology, toxicology, epidemiology, veterinary science, natural resource management, food science or food technology from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Post graduate studies or specialized training in public health, emergency management, international aid or humanitarian principles.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World  Higher Education Database (WHE, a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IA/United  Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESC. The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/ .

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of relevant experience, including international exposure, in the development and management of food safety and foodborne diseases control programmes as well as related experience working in outbreaks and/or health emergency operations. Experience in developing and promoting collaborative actions with national authorities.
Desirable: Experience in providing incountry technical support and building capacity in national food control systems, in developing countries. Experience in facilitating public–private sector collaboration. Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, health cluster partners, relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge in the development and implementation of integrated food safety systems to support strategic and operational decision making related to the detection and control of foodborne diseases.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of international public health with focus on food safety.
• Good understanding of international standards, agreements and other legal instruments pertaining to food safety and food trade.
• Independent judgement; and ability to anticipate new trends in the field of food safety and take actions accordingly.
• Ability to manage food safety events based on a sound assessment of available information.
• Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programmes and activities, including the development of programmatic indicators.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications.

WHO Competencies    Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: whoenhancedcompetence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.

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 77,326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicabl, a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3183 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(/diploma(/certificate(required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHE, a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IA/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESC. 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 socioeconomic 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/diversityequityandinclusion) 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 (SE, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassmen. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy worklife 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 (SH. 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. Countryspecific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccinationrelated queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• WHO has a smokefree environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefo; (iclearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browse; or (iiretry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online. For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated;
  all required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided;
  all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.
  Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are not accessible.