NPO (Maternal and Reproductive Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

With a view to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, the goal of the WHO support in the area of health through the life course is to help India better confront the changing epidemiological environment and further strengthen and improve services in the areas of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health through the development of evidence-based health policies and strategies.Through policy and technical support at National and State level, the activities of the WHO Country office more specifically aim at helping the Government of India (GOI) to\: - further develop and improve pre and in-service training and capacity building for relevant staff; - further develop and implement an integrated quality assurance system for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services;- further support the definition and implementation of strategies to address childhoodmalnutrition and early childhood development;- improve the management of reproductive health and child and adolescent health services.

 

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

 

All the Member States of WHO South East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

 

WHO's Twelfth General Programme of Work (2014-19) focuses on six (6) leadership priorities specifying

(i) advancing universal health coverage

(ii) health related millennium development goals

(iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities

(iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005)

(v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

 

WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions\:

(i) providing leadership on global health matters;

(ii) shaping the health research agenda;

(iii) setting norms and standards;

(iv) articulating evidence-based policy options;

(v) providing technical support to countries; and

(vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.

 

The South - East Asia Region of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India's population of 1.2 billion. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems as well as of the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate.The 7 Regional Flagship Priority Areas for WHO South-East Asia Region include the unfinished Millennium Development Goal agenda to end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths with a focus on neonatal deaths.Mission of the WHO Country Office for India Within the framework of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy, the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in\: (i) developing and sustaining its own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii) anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India and the direct supervision of Team Leader (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health), with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India biennial work plans in accordance with WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India, as part of the WCO-India team working on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), the incumbent will have the following responsibilities\:

 

1. Strengthen WCO India capacity to provide technical support in the area of Maternal and Reproductive Health (MRH) in all related policies and interventions of the Government of India (GOI) through\:a) Formulating the biennium work plans for GoI/WHO collaborative programme in MRH; b) Assisting in developing technical proposals as per work plans;c) Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the progress of workplan implementation;d) Preparing administrative and technical reports;e)Documenting successful interventions and synthesizing lessons learnt for wider dissemination.

 

2. Collaborate with Central and State level authorities and other stakeholders on technical matters related to MRH with emphasis on strengthening antenatal care, provision of skilled birth attendance, maternal and infant death audits, promoting access to safe-abortion and family planning services, addressing health issues of women beyond the reproductive age and reproductive health research for evidence generation;

 

3. Provide technical assistance to Govt. of India in building skills and capacities for health care functionaries at various levels (center, state and districts) both for pre-service and in-service education;

 

4. Support adaptation of WHO guidelines, tools and training materials related to Maternal and Reproductive Health for the country and their application in the national programmes;

 

5. Support information exchange and normative function of WCO India through contributions to reports, policy and media briefs and scientific papers through collation, analysis, systematic review and synthesis of data and information;

 

6. Provide support of monitoring and evaluation of programme effectiveness in MRH, including the review and synthesis of relevant data and information;

 

7. In consultation with supervisors, liaise with donors/development partners (bilateral and UN) and civil society to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies relating to MRH;

 

8. Undertake any other tasks/duties as assigned by supervisor(s).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree in medicine from a recognized university (MBBS).
Desirable\: Post graduate degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Public Health.

Experience

Essential\: At least two years of professional experience in field of Maternal and Reproductive Health at national/state level. Experience in programme implementation related to maternal health/ reproductive health including developing plans/proposals, monitoring implementation and writing reports and experience in research methodologies.

Desirable\: Working experience with inter-governmental agencies, the UN Agencies or WHO at the national and international level will be an advantage.Recognized expert in the field with ability to lead and guide expert technical groups in Maternal and Reproductive Health.

Skills

The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization.Thorough knowledge of the country's needs and priorities in the area of Maternal Health and Reproductive Health; ability to make oral and written presentations on technical issues and preparation of reports; demonstrated ability to work in harmony with national/international staff; maintaining poise even in difficult situations; good knowledge of the administrative functioning of government ministries and other related departments/agencies; knowledge of WHO programmes and practices will be an added advantage.Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence. Leadership, coordination and supervision skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at various levels. Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors. Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment.Modern management skills (planning and evaluation, etc). Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare, monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements. Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports. Knowledge of WHO/UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage.

WHO Competencies

1.Teamwork
2.Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3.Communication
4.Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5.Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Hindi.
Desirable\:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at INR 2,001,058 (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 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.

• 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.