Technical Officer (Climate Change and Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The role of the Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health (PHE) is to promote a healthier environment, intensify primary prevention and influence public policies in all sectors so as to address the root causes of environmental and social threats to health. Within PHE, the programme on health and climate change is mandated and guided by a World Health Assembly Resolution (61.19), by a workplan approved by the WHO Executive Board, and by work on climate and environmental determinants of health described in the WHO General Programme of Work. The programme also leads the WHO global initiative on climate change and health in small island developing States (SIDS climate change and health initiative), providing targeted support on this issue for over 40 small island developing States, territories and areas.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

- Provide expert policy and technical support to all Member States for health and climate change, through a comprehensive programme of policy and strong technical support based on WHO's Operational Framework for Building Climate Resilient Health systems.

- Manage the development of, and provide technical inputs to, normative technical guidance and capacity development programmes to protect health from climate change including managing staff and/or consultants, and convening and directing external experts. Support the implementation of the products through Regional Offices and Country Offices.

- Programme and technical lead for mobilization of resources for the implementation of health system resilience to climate change, including through building partnerships with, and mobilizing resources from, multilateral and bilateral climate donors (Green Climate Fund; Global Environmental Facility, International Climate Fund), in collaboration with WHO Central Resource Mobilization, and leading development of funding proposals, in collaboration with Regional and Country Offices.

- Provide oversight of global programmes and projects on health protection from climate change, including ensuring technical and financial reporting to donors.

- Manage the finalization of the global action plan for the SIDS climate change and health initiative, and its implementation and progress tracking across the domains of implementation and financing.

 

Main achievements include\: A comprehensive set of normative policy and technical guidance, and capacity development materials is produced and supported across Member States, in coordination with Regional and Country Offices. Increased financial resources are mobilized, implemented and managed to increase health protection from climate change across a greater number of countries around the world, with strong relationships established between WHO, donors, and other partners. Timely and accurate reporting is provided to programme donors.The global plan of action for the SIDS initiative is completed, endorsed by WHO Governing bodies, widely recognized and adopted among MS and partners, and implemented across an increased number of SIDS.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced level university degree (minimum Masters level) in public health and studies on climate change and health or environmental health.
Desirable\: Studies or training in environmental and social determinants, and/or health equity and/or project management.

Experience

Essential\: At least 7 years of international professional experience on climate change and health including on project management, provision of technical supportand capacity development. At least 3 years' experience managing sizeable climate change and health projects. Experience in building strategic partnerships with climate change partners. Substantial track record in mobilizing and implementing resources forclimate change and health.
Desirable\: Substantial working experience with UN Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and/or national Ministries, including in developing countries; Experience in working in WHO in collaboration with WHO Regional and Country Offices.

Skills

Substantial knowledge and experience of climate change and health, international development, capacity development, programme and financial management of sizeable projects, and WHO's role in supporting Member States to respond to climate change.Demonstrated skills in the development and coordination of normative policy and technical guidance on climate change and health. Demonstrated skills and experience in building partnerships with global donors and mobilizing resources on climate change and health.Excellent interpersonal, and collaborative skills, and ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with other partners, within and outside WHO.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of Other UN 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 71,332 (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 4464 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.