Head of Convention Secretariat

Head of the WHO Framework Convention Secretariat on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in Geneva, Switzerland

A strong leader with high integrity and acute awareness of the interface of strong commercial interests and public health is being sought.

The Convention Secretariat is the global authority concerning the implementation of the WHO FCTC. It also works to promote the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.

The role of the Convention Secretariat is to counterbalance the deadliest industry in the world so that resources can be directed to where they’re most needed, and not in mopping up the human costs of the tobacco industry’s irresponsible behaviour.

The Convention Secretariat is an entity hosted by the World Health Organization in Geneva and cooperates with relevant departments of WHO and other competent international organizations and bodies, and non-governmental organizations accredited as observers to the Conference of the Parties.

Responsible and accountable to the Conference of the Parties and Meeting of the Parties for the delivery of the treaty and to the Director-General of WHO on staffing management, the successful individual will\:

• Lead the Convention Secretariat and serve governing and subsidiary bodies in implementing specific provisions of the Convention and supporting the development of protocols and guidelines in a complex political environment, such as support Parties engaged in legal action
• Promote political awareness, visibility and support for the WHO FCTC international cooperation and support as South-South and Triangular cooperation, collaborate with the UN Interagency Task Force on NCDs including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• Monitor the implementation of the WHO FCTC, prepare in-depth analysis linked to priorities identified by the Conference of the Parties
• Manage the day-to-day running of the WHO FCTC including mobilizing resources

Education 

An advanced degree (at least Master's or equivalent degree) in public health, international law, international relations or other relevant discipline.

Experience 

At least 15 years of experience in international health, including working with international organizations and Member States, and maintaining strong links with the international tobacco control community, and preferably working experience in developing countries of which a minimum of five years' experience at the international level coordinating with, for example, national governments, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and professional and academic bodies.

Demonstrable experience in organizational management and financing for complex health-related organizations, including the ability to analyze organizational problems and find adequate solutions.

Proven experience to deal effectively with the media, academic groups, United Nations entities, industry, political leaders and civil society, as well as public health and anti-illicit trade specialists.

Proven experience in effectively mobilizing resources. 

Languages

Sufficient skills in English and proficiency in at least one of the other official languages of WHO.

Salary\: This position is classified at the "D2" level in the United Nations common system. WHO offers an attractive expatriate package including health insurance, financial support for schooling of children and a relocation package.

The successful candidate is expected to assume their functions on 24 January 2020.

Selection procedures

• This selection is subject to special selection procedures. Further details of these procedures shall be made available upon request to morfinc@who.int.
• All candidates will be expected to complete a Declaration of Interest Form in which, among other things, they will declare that they have never had any professional relationship[i] with, or received any form of funding or support from the tobacco industry[ii] or from entities representing the interests of the tobacco industry.
• In case of appointment, the successful candidate and the members of his/ her immediate family commit not to engage in any relationship with the tobacco industry or with any partner in a partnership with the tobacco industry, including any whether gainful or not, within five (5) years following the end of his/her appointment.
• A staff member of the WHO Secretariat, including the FCTC Secretariat, submitting his/her application for the post of Head of the Convention Secretariat will be put on special leave with half pay from the time of the communication of the application to the parties
• This is a time limited appointment of four (4) years, with the possibility of a single renewal for a further four (4) years, following a new selection process
• Applicants are invited to attach a motivation letter and are encouraged to keep the length of their application below 3500 words
• Because of the nature of the procedure established by decisions FCTC/COP8(8) and FCTC/MOP1(12), parts of the selection process, including the list of candidates, may be public.    

[i] â€œProfessional relationship” should be understood as not including a public officeholder’s interactions with the tobacco industry required for setting and implementing public policies with respect to tobacco control.”

[ii] Â« Tobacco industry Â» is defined in Article 1 of WHO FCTC and means tobacco manufacturers, wholesale distributors and importers of tobacco products;

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.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• As a WHO staff member assigned solely and exclusively to support this Partnership, selected staff will have no right of reassignment or transfer outside the Partnership either during or at the end of his/her appointment, including pursuant to WHO Staff Rule 1050. (This does not apply to WHO fixed-term staff members reassigned from a non-Partnership position.)