JOB DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To achieve the control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases throughout the Western Pacific Region by targeting the reduction of morbidity and mortality of such conditions and diseases. The division supports integrated people-centred care approaches by strengthening primary healthcare services for prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment of target diseases and conditions along the life-course, while ensuring to reach the unreached and achieving universal health coverage. The unit’smission is to promote mental health, and human rights for all across the lifespan; to prevent harmful use of alcohol and other substances, to prevent mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders; and to reduce the mortality, morbidity and disability for persons with MNS disorders and associated psychosocial, cognitive and intellectual disabilities. Objectives:a.To promote care, recovery and the human rights of people with mental, neurological and substance use (MNS)disorders and associated disabilities;b. To increase access to affordable, good quality services and supports for people with MNS disorders and associated disabilities, their families, and communities within the context of UHC and across the life-course;c. To include care for people with MNS disorders and associated disabilities in emergency responses for immediate relief and to build back better To prevent suicide, MNS disorders, harm due to alcohol and other substances, and addictive behaviours, across the life-course.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:1. Provide technical leadership and managerial support to the work program, ensuring that the activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.2. Lead support to Member States and relevant WHO Offices as requested and coordinate the development of national strategies and policies through authoritative policy advice and recommendations on plan of action for improvements in the existing health systems; act as a technical advisor at the senior counterpart level and the public concerning relevant areas.3. Oversee, as requested, in-country activities concerning promotion, prevention, care and data for MNS conditions.4. Initiate and coordinate implementation of actions and guidance for interventions in high-risk groups and environments, and provide technical supervision in the development, testing and/or dissemination of major WHO and inter-agency normative guidance and tools5. Advise WHO senior staff in providing leadership with Member States, UN agencies and Non-State Actors and support WHO’s advocacy efforts.6. Promote or conduct the implementation of public health research for MNS conditions.7. Oversee the analysis and synthesis of data on MNS conditions and their consequences, and promotion, prevention and care for MNS conditions and on the implementation of public health strategies and action plans and lead the preparation of high-level reports.8. Organize capacity building, across the different levels of the health and social care system.9. Build strong partnerships and advocate with counterparts in technical departments at HQ and in regional and Country Offices and negotiate with donor and development partners(UN and bilateral) to harmonize policies and strategies.10. Lead, if requested, WHO’s response to mental health in one or more emergencies.11. Coordinate the development and monitoring of work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.12. Oversee contractual engagements with partners and institutions.13. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree relevant to mental health, brain health, alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours (e.g. in public mental health, clinical or counselling psychology, psychiatry, neurology/neurosciences, addiction medicine, mental health/psychiatric/neurological nursing, mental health/psychiatric social work, mental health economics, medical anthropology, psychiatric or neuroepidemiology).
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in public health. A doctorate in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience leading programmes related to mental health, brain health, alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours focusing on mental health services/systems, promotion, prevention and care and data for MNS conditions. Within this experience demonstrated professional experience working at the country and/or regional level providing technical advice and services to Ministry of Health/Member States and other partners on mental health related issues. Experience managing complex projects. Demonstrated international experience.
Desirable: Experience with WHO or another United Nations agency in mental health, brain health, alcohol, drugs, and addictive behaviours.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of and expertise in technical aspects of field of specialty (knowledge of policies, systems, and interventions for MNS conditions[including treatments, promotion, and preventive activities], mental health and human rights, and epidemiology).In depth knowledge of country level situations with regard to mental health, brain health, alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours with good understanding of country needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, and guidelines and in the related areas. Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions. Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills by working harmoniously as a member of a team, adapting to diverse educational, socio-political and cultural backgrounds and maintaining a high standard of personal conduct. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions recommendations. Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy. Public speaking techniques. Excellent drafting and communication skills. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Leadership and management skills

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WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

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 92,731 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3987 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(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. 
• 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 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. 
• 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 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. 
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. 
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