OBJECTIVES 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, 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 the financial protection against health-related risks.–> To collaborate with national authorities to improve health and quality of life through promotion of environmental health especially in the areas of water supply and sanitation, chemical safety, food safety, occupational health, air pollution, climate change, building healthy cities, health risk assessments and management.–> To collaborate and support related areas of work such as prevention and control of water and sanitation linked diseases, burden of disease attributable to environmental factors, climate change, preparedness and response to chemical and radio-nuclear events and sustainable development. To liaise with other related teams such as communicable and non-communicable diseases, health through the life-course, food safety and health system development for coordination of various health related activities.

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 (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 of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.4 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative, and the direct supervision of Deputy Head of WHO Country Office, and in collaboration with relevant technical units in the Country Office, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Provide technical support to the country in planning, monitoring and evaluating environmental health interventions with a focus on the provision of safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene, improving air quality, healthy workplaces, health care waste management, and the sound management of chemicals and pesticides throughout their life-cycle.
2. Collaborate with partners to develop national strategies and institutional capacities on primary prevention interventions, particularly those related to the safety of drinking water, sanitation, waste management, occupational health and to mitigate the health impact of air pollution and climate change.
3. Provide support to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) and other related Ministries, Government of India (GoI) for development of Strategies on Environmental Health, Water and Sanitation, air pollution, and climate change based on national context.
4. Formulate, evaluate and oversee the technical support to national and state environmental health programmes in the areas of community water supply and sanitation, chemical and pesticide safety, occupational health, healthy settings, environmental health risk assessment and management.
5. Provide technical support – advising/ coordinating/ guiding – on issues concerning climate change and its impact on health, environmental epidemiology, air pollution, occupational health, water, sanitation and hygiene and waste management in the context of sustainable development. The activities include preparation of work plans, programme budget, implementation and monitoring the progress of work.
6. Provide technical advice and support to the MOHFW on water sanitation and hygiene, assisting and proactively participating in the design and implementation of water and air quality monitoring and surveillance as appropriate.
7. Support capacity-building of national program managers to promote safe water, sanitation, hygiene and sound waste management in the community, in health-care facilities and in the workplace, and to support capacity-building in other priority areas of environmental health.
8. Liaise with concerned National counterparts of the technical units/departments , WHO/SEARO and WHO/HQs, collaborate with other clusters in areas i.e. communicable and non-communicable diseases, family, gender and life-course, health systems development for coordination of various health related activities ;and with donors and development partners (bilateral and UN) to harmonise recommendations on policies and strategies relating to environmental health cluster are suitably adopted to the Indian context.
9. Promote development of studies and research on the environmental health areas, including water, sanitation, air quality and climate change, in close coordination and collaboration national authorities, WHO collaborating centres, national centers of excellence and national R & D institutions, dissemination of research information to all stakeholders.
10. Coordinate and participate in inter-agency working group meetings/workshops and strengthen Inter-agency collaboration and liaise with external /donor agencies.
11. Support information brokering/exchange function of WCO India through contributions to the health repository at the WCO India by collation, analysis and sharing of relevant information and statistics.
12. Prepare technical reports, as necessary and perform any other duties as may be assigned by WR-India and DWR.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University Degree in environmental sciences such as water and sanitation and environmental engineering from a recognized University
Desirable: Postgraduate degree or training in Public Health or related field.

Experience

Essential: At least five (5) years of experience in Public Health/Environmental Engineering/Environmental Management programme at national level.
Desirable: Experience of work in WHO or other UN Agencies; field level experience to handle emergency programme at national level

Skills

• The incumbent should identify with the core values of World Health Organization.
• Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard to adolescent health and development with good understanding of country’s needs and priorities.
• Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas.
• Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence.
• Leadership skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and international levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical issues.
• Very good 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.
• Modern management skills including planning and evaluation.
• 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

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Hindi.
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at INR 4,196,335 (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.

• WHO has a smoke-free 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.

• 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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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements