Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of The Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) Cluster is to provide leadership and vision in supporting Member States in the WHO African region to reduce population exposure to key risk factors for NCDs; to reduce morbidity and mortality due to NCDs and improve the overall health status of the African population. The NCD Primary Prevention Programme area (NPP) focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles—such as prevention of Tobacco use, Consumption of healthy food, Regular physical activities, Preventing Violence and Injuries -particularly road traffic accidents. The NPP facilitates and undertakes policy development, support to development of legislations, multi-sectoral programme planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, surveillance and research activities. It also implements innovative methods to scale up NCD prevention and control activities in countries in order to achieve adequate coverage and substantial impact on reducing the burden of NCDs in African countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties\: --> Collaborate with, and technically support national officials, IST and WHO country offices staff to develop, enhance, and implement evidence-based and integrated, policies, strategies, systems, programmes, standards, and initiatives in Eye Health, avoidable blindness, and other Disabilities and rehabilitation, in the context of national and sub-regional health policies, ensuring the following\: implementation of recommendations of the Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness Community-based approaches for the assessment of the current situation, trends andimplementation of obligations of the WHO mandates and guidelines to address national priorities; Empowering people with Eye and Ear Health issues and other disabilities; Implementation of Multisectoral, holistic, and community-based, care and rehabilitation approaches; Strengthening of information systems and health research to generate data for decision-makers; De-institutionalization and service re-organization; Stakeholders' collaboration and partnership development for placing Eye Health issues and other disabilities and their rehabilitation in higher national agendas; Support to Eye Health issues and other disabilities in humanitarian emergencies; Inclusion of related interventions across the life course and continuum of care; Enhancement of the capacity of public/private health care workers' in providing integrated NCD services within PHC service delivery systems, including developing training programmes for all categories of health personnel, including those at district and local level; Development and promotion of national policies, laws; and the orientation of health systems towards addressing NCDs through inclusion in Universal Health Coverage; Surveillance, epidemiology and health surveys relative to Eye Health, avoidable blindness, and Other Disabilities;--> Operational research, monitoring, documenting and dissemination of best practices and partners' experiences to scale-up or improve programmes; Development of coordinated and joint activities with other programmes such as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), especially dealing with specific risk groups; Promotion of the procurement of safe, efficacious, and affordable technologies and rehabilitation devices; Strengthen partnership and collaboration with all stakeholders and resource mobilization --> Guide the planning and budgets for the Country Work plans including recruiting/contracting for medical and health-strategy advisors and resource mobilization to support the implementation of the plans at the regional and country levels;--> Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced medical degree or a Post-graduate degree in Public health or Public-health-related discipline
Desirable\: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in Ophthalmology

Experience

Essential\: At least 7 years' experience in developing, managing and/or providing medical advisory services for the control and elimination of NCDs through capacity building focusing in Eye and Ear Health and Other Disabilities, within Public Health Programmes, of which at least 3 years inclusive should be at the international level.
Desirable\: Relevant work experience in WHO and/or other UN agencies, non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Field experience in developing countries.

Skills

--> Extensive area-specific, technical and programmatic knowledge of programmes and approaches for integrated capacity-Building programmes for NCD, in particular, Eye and Ear Health and Other Disabilities; working knowledge of district hospital care, Universal health coverage, in-service and pre-service training, Essential NCD drugs, PHC delivery systems; --> WHO role, mandates, strategies & action plans (global, regional and country-specific) including budgeting and financial management; partnership & resource mobilization; communication and ethical standards for personnel; Equity, diversity & human rights principles; --> Demonstrated ability to provide clear advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners. --> Willingness to share technical knowledge.

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. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable\:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 70,647 (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 3256 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 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit\: http\://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.