JOB DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The incumbent will manage the provision of technical and managerial expertise to develop, strengthen and implement policies and programmes of activities designed to strengthen national, public-health capacity in Universal Health Coverage/Health Promotion and Determinants. This includes those designed to promote health and reduce the burden of preventable disease and injuries driven by environmental, social, and economic determinants of health, including the distribution of risk factors, through interventions in one or more of the following Health Determinants: Environment, Climate Change and Health (ECH), Health Promotion, Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity (HPD), Nutrition and Food Safety(NUT); Tobacco and Reduction of Other Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors(TNR), Violence, Injuries, or Health and Migration (PHM); and Demographic Change and Ageing. Health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of WHO Representative and direct supervision of Health Policy Advisor (Universal Health Coverage), the incumbent shall perform the following functions:

1. Develop and maintain productive working relationships and partnerships with relevant national and state authorities and other stakeholders to strengthen health promotion through policies, strategies, legislation, regulations, fiscal and administrative interventions related to health and safety, and the prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

2. Undertake research, collaborate with, and support national officials in the development and implementation of multi-sectoral, national plans for the prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

3. Provide technical advice on the development/review and promotion of national policies, programs, and structures for health promotion including across sectors. This includes technical support for the development of healthy cities, other healthy settings and the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity.

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4. Provide technical support to the government to reduce risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and underlying social determinants by creating and supporting the implementation of strategies and interventions for supportive environments for health in the national, multi-sectoral action plan.

5. Coordinate with relevant partners to strengthen the implementation of the surveillance, monitoring and research component of the National Multi-sectoral Action Plan on Noncommunicable Diseases.

6. Coordinate priority health programs to strengthen community engagement, social mobilization, behaviour change communication, and technically guide on multi-sectoral actions to address health inequities and increase individual, community and societal participation in health action through empowerment.

7. Utilize understanding of national and subnational cultural norms to recommend community outreach activities concerning the extension of health-care networks.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: A university degree (bachelor’s) in a relevant field (such as health, public health or social sciences). Training in epidemiology or social epidemiology and/or strong knowledge of the theory and practice of health promotion, determinants of health.
Desirable: Certification in epidemiology or public health.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: A minimum of five years of work experience relevant to the position (in public health and disease control programme management, health promotion with national entities and/or international organizations).
Desirable: Experience in planning, implementation, monitoring/evaluation of communicable and noncommunicable disease prevention and/or control programmes. Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained in an international context.

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SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of policies, strategies and guidelines in the field of public health, particularly in health promotion and the determinants of health. Good knowledge of community engagement and multisectoral action for the prevention of communicable disease outbreaks and health protection.
• Understanding of strategic data and information, including the design of research studies. Good understanding of risk communication and community engagement. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of the sociopolitical, economic, and public-health policy environment of the country.
• Coordination skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a national and international team. Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Ability to establish and maintain relationships and network with national authorities and other stakeholders in relevant sectors. Ability to use / initiate evidence-based, health promotion interventions. Ability to engage in policy dialogue, advocacy, communication with multi sectoral partners on health promotion, noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors.

WHO COMPETENCIES

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

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 34,745 (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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