Technical Officer (Climate Change and Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The WHO Country Office in Kiribati is part of the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS), a decentralized division of the Western Pacific Region established to coordinate the provision of technical support for the countries and areas of the Pacific islands. The WHO Country Liaison Office for Kiribati is the centre of the Secretariat's mechanism for delivering its technical cooperation. The goal of WHO's country presence is to enable the entire organization to sport Kiribati in reaching its health goals and contributing to global and regional public health action. Kiribati is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the health impacts of climate variability and change. Climate change threatens not only the health and well-being of the nation but its very existence. The combination of exposure to climatic hazards, limited capacity of the health system, including inadequate basic infrastructure such as communication, water and sanitation and electricity, human resources, and supplies, as well as communities that are remote and hard to reach provide significant challenges in reducing climate change-related morbidity and mortality. Without substantial and proactive investment in adaptation in the health sector and community-levels, the current and projected climatic changes will result in increased health risks through direct and indirect pathways.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Country Liaison Officer (CLO) of the WHO Office in Kiribati, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

1) Provide technical and scientific input to the work program of Climate Change, the Environment, and Health (CCE) and support the technical and scientific implementation of the CCE thematic priority in For the Future;

2) Coordinate implementation of a GEF supported climate change and environmental health initiative and projects in Kiribati to ensure its compliance with the defined project scope, management methodology, standards, budget and timelines;

3) Ensure effective management of available resources, quality delivery of expected outcomes and outputs, and active engagement with the team and relevant stakeholders;

4) Coordinate WHO's technical assistance by developing comprehensive project plans in collaboration with national counterparts and technical staff during all project phases from initial development through implementation;

5) Communicate proactively with national counterparts, WHO staff and development partners to provide encouragement, identify problems, identify solutions, and implement efficiency improvements, as needed and ensure an active project management committee is in place;

6) Identify project risks and implementation challenges and work closely with responsible team leads to mitigate these risks and to identify solutions to address business needs;

7) Prepare quarterly and annual reports to be cleared by the WHO Representative to the South Pacific;

8) Ensure visibility of project plans including communication plans, status, dependencies, risks and issues. Monitor project progress continuously and deliver scheduled reports to supervisors and donors on measurable items, milestones and deliverables and risks; and

9) Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in public health, geography, environmental sciences/ management, environmental engineering, development studies, environmental economics, or another field relevant to the project from a university or institute.
Desirable: Qualification in environmental health, environmental sciences, and/or climate change.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of experience in a similar or related position in programme or project planning /management role, or public / environmental health.
Desirable: Experience working in climate change and health field, knowledge of national policy environments, project / programme management working closely with governmental and partner organizations, and report writing. Knowledge of the project reporting and technical and operational requirements is an advantage.

Skills

Proven skills in the areas of project management; Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of health implications of climate change and the environment; Ability to adapt and manage deliverables and resources and to think and act quickly, sometimes under pressure, yet remain effective; Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners; Ability to promote best practices, advise on improvements, independently perform research, and apply information from a broad range of sources; Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, advocate, motivate, resolve conflict, and adapt to a variety of situations; and ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team.

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.
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at AUD (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.

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• 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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