Director

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To support member states of the WHO Africa Region to eliminate or reduce the burden of communicable diseases to the level whereby they cease to be a public health problem through\:i. Strengthening national programmes based on PHC and health as a human right; ii. Building capacity of national programmes in communicable diseases control with effective improved operational planning and implementation; iii. Supporting countries to expand monitoring and evaluation of their national programmes, and provide feedback on their performance;iv. Promoting research and facilitating the management and sharing of knowledge with effective collaboration with WHO collaborating centres and academia, to reduce morbidity and mortality due to communicable diseases;v. Implementing innovative methods to scale up communicable diseases control activities in countries in order to achieve adequate coverage with a view to obtain a substantial impact on the burden of disease.The incumbent shall be expected to provide leadership and vision to guide the areas of work enumerated above towards obtaining a substantial impact of WHO's work on communicable diseases in the WHO African Region. She/he shall be responsible for developing, leading, monitoring and evaluating the work of the Cluster and coordinating its work with WHO Headquarters, other clusters, and health partners in general.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the Regional Director and direct supervision of the Director, Programme Management, the incumbent will develop, coordinate and lead the region's strategies and programmes in the area of communicable diseases for the region. Duties include\:--> Providing leadership and manage staff under his/her responsibility; ensure their continuous training and development; promote a culture of high performance, ethical behavior and integrity in accordance with the Organization's Policies, Rules and Procedure;--> Leading the region's work in the development of national health policies, strategies and plans for an integrated approach to reduce the burden of communicable diseases;--> Coordinating the Regional Office/ISTs and WCO's support to countries, by ensuring sound technical support according to the organizations core functions and mandates.--> Contributing to the conceptualization and implementation of integrated community approaches for communicable diseases prevention and control activities;--> Building strategic partnerships to enhance technical coordination and collaboration including mobilizing technical expertise and networks in the region, as well as resource mobilization for these important areas of work; --> Coordinating/facilitating the development and implementation of the biennial work-plan of the CDS cluster and monitor it to ensure delivery of its major outputs, with effective reporting and efficient resources use;--> Contributing in collaboration with WHO Headquarters and partners towards building and implementing the scaling up of CDS control activities in countries;--> Catalyzing mobilization of domestic and external resources, and support development of national business cases for investment in CDS priority interventions. --> Providing support to countries to generate data and monitor trends.--> Advocate for heightened commitment, increased visibility, prioritization, and understanding of CDS within and beyond WHO. --> Promote regional stakeholders' dialogue and public-private partnerships including with intergovernmental organizations, development banks and regional economic communities, research institutions and the academia. --> Shaping research agenda and identifying research needs and priorities aimed at improving communicable diseases implementation at country level including promotion and strengthening of research capabilities;--> Performing any other duties as assigned by the Regional Director or the Director for Programme Management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Medical degree with postgraduate degree/training in public health.
Desirable\: Specialized training in communicable diseases would be an asset.

Experience

Essential\: More than 10 years progressive experience in developing, designing and implementing CDS programmes, surveillance systems and/or disease control/elimination and eradication initiatives with a minimum of 5 years inclusive of international health work in developing/LMIC countries, with demonstrable success and results from managing major projects and/or programmes involving engagement with strategic international partnerships and alliances.
Desirable\: Work experiences that are diverse incorporating private sector, NGOs, other UN or governmental Health related agencies will be an advantage. Familiarity with community mobilization methods. Field experience in public health programmes in developing countries will be an advantage; emergency field experience will be a distinct asset. Knowledge of WHO's rules and regulations is an advantage.

Skills

--> Extensive knowledge of CDS policies, strategies and interventions;--> Ability to exercise leadership and to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels; --> Proven ability to plan, execute, supervise and manage a large international health programme;--> Ability to work in a multicultural and multi-partners environment; --> Excellent communication skills;--> Ability to work under pressure. DesirableKnowledge of WHO's mission, goals and policies, including familiarity with the work of the Regional Office, the Executive Board, the World Health Assembly and the WHO Regional Committee for Africa;

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
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 97,805 (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 4507 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.