HIV&HEP/TB Officer

Purpose of the Post:

The incumbent will provide technical assistance in the areas of in the areas of HIV prevention, testing, diagnosis and treatment and care, tuberculosis (TB) prevention, diagnosis, and treatment and care, elimination of viral hepatitis and of vertical transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis and syphilis, , i to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Ukraine Public Health Center for theirNational HIV, TB, and Hepatitis Programmes. The overall goal is to accelerate progress towards ending AIDS, tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), and the epidemic of viral hepatitis, as part of Ukraine’s regional and global commitments.

This work will be carried out within the framework of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA) between the WHO Country Office and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, aligned with the the Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (2022–2030), WHO End TB Strategy, and the Health 2020 European policy framework, as well as Regional Action Plans for ending AIDS and the epidemics of viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for 2022-2030 and Tuberculosis Action Plan for the WHO European Region 2023-2030, The incumbent will contribute to strengthening integrated, people-centred service delivery, improving access to prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment, reducing stigma and discrimination, and enhancing multisectoral collaboration to achieve equitable and sustainable health outcomes.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

The incumbent will provide technical assistance in , HIV, TB and viral hepatitis (VH) prevention, diagnosis and treatment to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, Ukraine Public Health Center and the National HIV TB, and Hepatitis Programmes with the overall aim of ending AIDS, TB, tDR-TB, and eliminating viral hepatitis as public health threats in Ukraine. This will be achieved within the framework of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA) between the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Health 2020 European health policy framework, the Global End TB Strategy and the Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (2022–2030).

Key duties:

1. Provide technical assistance and support to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, Ukrainian Public Health Center, the National HIV,TB, and hepatitis programmes, National Validation Committee on triple elimination of vertical transmission (HIV, Hepatitis B, syphilis) and other national bodies on the prevention, treatment and control of HIV, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis, particularly drug-resistant TB and HIV coinfections.
2. Provide technical support to facilitate the development and implementation of national HIV, TB and VH strategies, national guidelines and tools in line with global and regional consolidated guidance and WHO’s 95-95-95 and ending AIDS target, ending tuberculosis ,and elimination target for hepatitis, as well as triple elimination targets.
3. Ensure the Secretariat function of the National Validation Committee on triple elimination of vertical transmission (HIV, Hepatitis B, syphilis)
4. Support efforts to strengthen HIV, TB, and VH surveillance, monitoring and evaluation systems in line with existing regional surveillance networks and global reporting mechanisms.
5. Support efforts to strengthen country capacity to generate and systematically use HIV, TB, and VH strategic information through national information systems and routine programme monitoring in line with global norms and standards.
6. Support efforts to strengthen country capacity to provide key HIV, TB and VH interventions through training using adapted manuals, tools and curricula, and support the dissemination, adaptation and implementation of global guidelines on prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment.
7. Support efforts to map HIV, TB, and VH technical assistance needs and facilitate provision of high-quality technical assistance for programme management, governance, implementation and resource mobilization.
8. Provide technical assistance, capacity building and training, and coordination of planning, implementation and evaluation of activities in line with the approved work plan of communicable disease control areas (HIV, TB, VH) within the communicable diseases programme, BCAs, Global Fund and other collaborative agreements.
9. Support the development and implementation of national TB, HIV and VH strategies and action plans aligned with global and regional strategies, Global Fund and other collaborative agreements, and contribute to documenting the implementation of the WHO European response to communicable diseases with regard to reducing vulnerability and removing structural barriers and the related priority areas of intervention, targets and indicators defined by global and regional strategies, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
10. Promote WHO policies, practices and integrated service delivery approaches to promote equitable access to HIV, TB and VH prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment, including people-centred and community-based models.
11. Support policy dialogue, technical assistance and capacity building for the national HIV, TB, and VH programmes in developing and implementing evidence-based and sustainable interventions.
12. Provide technical support to strengthen civil society and community-based organizations in their responses to scaling up HIV, TB and VH prevention and treatment, addressing vulnerability and removing structural barriers to accessing communicable disease services.
13. Support the integration of HIV/TB/VH services to improve case finding, testing, treatment adherence and prevention of co-infections through combined programming and service delivery.
14. Facilitate the introduction and scale-up of innovative diagnostic technologies and treatment regimens for HIV TBand VH, in line with WHO recommendations and country needs
15. Strengthen collaboration with laboratories, surveillance networks and national reference centres to improve diagnostics, quality assurance and data reporting for HIV,TB and VH.
16. Provide technical support to strengthen blood safety, biosafety and waste management practices within HIV and VH service delivery points, including in penitentiary and conflict-affected settings.
17. Contribute to the work of the WHO country office related to ensuring access to quality communicable disease prevention and treatment for all in need, particularly in conflict-affected areas and among internally displaced persons, marginalized populations and those in the penitentiary system.
18. Ensure timely reporting of HIV, TB and VH related activities within country workplans through the Medical Officer to the WHO Representative/Head of Country Office and the Regional Office.
19. Prepare reports to donors on TB, HIV and VH programme and project implementation, highlighting progress towards 95-95-95 and disease elimination targets.
20. Organize and support national and international HIV, TB, and VH consultancies, technical missions and joint programme reviews.
21. Perform other duties as designated by the supervisor within the technical scope of the position, contributing to integrated communicable disease control, sexually-transmitted infections, health system strengthening and the achievement of universal health coverage.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, public health or related area of study

Desirable: Master's degree in any of the above mentioned areas. Post-graduate training in infectious diseases,HIV, tuberculosis or hepatitis

Experience:

Essential: At least two years of work experience in Tuberculosis and/or HIV and/or hepatitis prevention and control at the national level

Desirable: Relevant work experience within WHO, United Nations or another international organization. Relevant work experience with countries of Eastern Europe.

Competencies

1. ​Teamwork​
2. ​Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences​
3. ​Communication​

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of public health disease control strategies, especially of current practices and associated technologies for treatment and prevention of, HIV tuberculosis and hepatitis;
2. Demonstrated knowledge of the epidemiology and challenges of tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis in WHO European region in general and Ukraine in particular
3. Demonstrated knowledge of targeted interventions for key populations at higher risk;
4. Proven skills in developing partnerships with and between Government officials and agencies responsible for HIV, TB and VH; civil society, community-based organizations and other networks in WHO European region in general and Ukraine in particular;
5. Demonstrated knowledge and ability to develop and implement tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis prevention, treatment and related advocacy efforts and products.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of any other UN languages

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 38,776 ( (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.

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• 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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