Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To enable high-burden countries to ensure evidence-based policies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high quality health services for maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (MNCAH), and increase coverage and quality of effective MNCAH interventions among pregnant women, newborns, children and adolescents, and to create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies. As part of the cluster for Family, Women, Children and Adolescents cluster its work is embedded within the Life Course Approach and contributes to the overarching goals of Universal Health Coverage and Health Security.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Lead the department to develop evidence based policies, strategies and plans for integrated maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, with a view to reducing risk, morbidity and mortality, and improving health across the life course. 2. Lead the department to provide Member States and other relevant stakeholders with policy guidance and technical information needed for the development, implementation and monitoring of comprehensive national policies and programmes for maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.

3. Develop evidence-based norms and standards and integrated interventions for health services delivery to pregnant women, newborns, children and adolescents, incorporating a rights-based approach.

4. Build capacity for high quality, integrated health services for pregnant women, newborns, children and adolescents, at facility and community levels. And monitors and measures progress in implementation and impact on survival, growth and development.

5. Manage the human and financial resources of the MCA Department to achieve organizational objectives and results; planning, monitoring and reporting to ensure optimal performance of the Department; accountability for the timely, correct and efficient use of financial resources.

6. Work with relevant international, regional and national counterparts to promote concerted action by WHO's partners (UN agencies, governments, and civil society) to further WHO's vision for every pregnant woman, newborn, child and adolescent has universal access to high quality health services and enjoys the highest attainable standard of health and development.

7. Promote the integration of WHO Regional and Country Office perspectives and operational capacities into the global programme of work for MCA. Foster an integrated approach to the delivery of WHO's MCA programme, including cultivation of global technical networks within and outside WHO.

8. Mobilize resources to fund the work of MCA at all levels of the organization.

9. Represents, as and when requested, the Assistant Director-General or Director-General at external policy, coordination, scientific or other international meetings.

10. Acts, as and when requested, as Assistant Director-General, Family, Women, Children and Adolescents Cluster.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Degree in Medicine with appropriate specialization (at advanced degree level) (e.g. paediatrics, public health or health management) with emphasis on maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.
Desirable\: Postgraduate degree in Public Health.

Experience

Essential\: At least 15 years of relevant professional experience at the national and international level. At least 10 years of experience of maternal, newborn, child and/or adolescent programmes and their public health aspects in the field, including experience in developing countries. Proven excellent leadership and management experience.
Desirable\: Experience in working with a UN agency.

Skills

Broad knowledge of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and its public health aspects at regional and global levels. Knowledge of epidemiology of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent morbidity and mortality. Excellent managerial expertise and relevant experience in planning MNCAH services. Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and supervise staff of various backgrounds and develop a team approach to issues. Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources for health programmes. Ability to write clearly and articulately present on a broad range of issues while representing and promoting the interests of the Organization. Excellent negotiating skills and ability to interact with national and international authorities

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.The language requirements are interchangeable.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of official language.

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 107,150 (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 7527 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.