Technical Officer (Traditional Medicine)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Division Mandate\:

To support countries to attain universal coverage of health services for better and equitable health outcomes. Health systems act as the foundation that both underpins and unifies public health efforts aimed at combating diseases and building healthy communities in an efficient and equitable manner, especially for high priority, excluded and under-served population groups. A strong health system foundation enables effectiveness of individual programmes and efficient use of shared system resources for all programmes. In addition, it also promotes community empowerment and participatory governance as means of integrating equity-enhancing and rights-based approaches as well as addressing the social determinants of health.

Unit Mandate\:

To support development of integrated people-centred service (ISD) for communities and referral for optimal use of resources by all programmes; to accelerate progress towards universal coverage of safe and quality health services including integration of traditional medicines and practices into the health system. To assist countries to develop and manage a competent health workforce that can deliver integrated people-centred service, through HRH strategic planning, capacity building for priority health interventions and strengthening of governance, appropriate regulation and education capacities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide support to Members States in their effort to integrate traditional and complimentary medicine with national health systems.

2. Assess the existing regulation and registration systems for traditional medicine practice in Member States with particular focus on protection of public health and safety.

3. Provide technical support to Member States to promote safe and effective traditional medicine practice and products.

4. Promote quality, safety and efficacy of traditional medicine in Member States by providing support on developing the national standards of traditional medicine practice and products.

5. Provide support to countries to establish proper systems for registration and regulation of traditional medicine practitioners.

6. Ensure the registration and information systems for T&CM are congruent and compatible with national information systems.

7. Facilitate technical cooperation and the networking of WHO collaborating centres, including compliance with the WHO workplans, as well as be directly responsible for designation and re-designation of WHO collaborating centres, working on the implementation of regional and country priorities.

8. Gather data and evidence on the integration of T&CM with national health systems as well as mobilize funds to provide technical support to Member States for maximizing the health potential of evidence-based traditional medicine.

9. Contribute to the organization-wide programmes and initiatives, such as NHPSP, CCS, UHC country roadmaps, Models of Care, etc.

10. Ensure submission of donor reports, biennial planning, mid-term and end-term reports in time and of good quality.

11. Perform other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Degree in medicine, traditional medicine or related area from a recognized university with postgraduate degree in public health or equivalent.

Desirable\: Postgraduate degree in traditional medicine.

Experience

Essential\: A minimum of seven years of experience, including experience at international level, in the field of medicine, public health or related area with several years of experience either in research or teaching on traditional medicine.

Desirable\: Public health background.

Skills

1. Thorough knowledge and understanding of international norms and standards that ensures the quality, safety and efficacy of Traditional Medicine products and practices;

2. Knowledge of existing regulations on Traditional Medicines, as well as, existing systems for registration of Traditional Medicines;

3. Ability to maintain the standard of conduct of an international civil servant and to work harmoniously as a member of an international team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable\: Beginners knowledge of other UN Languages.

REMUNERATION

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.