Technical Officer (Climate Change and Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To reduce the burden and negative impact of communicable diseases on health and on the social and economic well-being of all people in the WHO/AFRO Region. To reduce morbidity, mortality and disability through the prevention, control, eradication and/or elimination of selected communicable diseases.To contribute to the reduction of environmental risk factors of ill health and the environmental burden of disease, through regular assessments of the environmental risk factors to human health and the deployment of cost effective preventive interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities which are performed according to the needs and agenda\:To provide technical support for the planning and implementation of regional strategies, norms, standards and guidelines and build capacity to reduce health vulnerability to climate change, and promote health by aligning the health adaptation planning process to national health-related planning at all levels, taking stock of available information, and identifying and addressing capacity gaps and weaknesses to ensure full collaboration and efficient implementation of cross-cutting activities.To proactively support Member States by providing up-to-date information concerning mitigation and adaptation measures to cope with the implications of climate change on health-related strategies and policies.To coordinate reviews of scientific evidence on the links between climate change and health, and develop a regional assessment on climate change impacts on human health, assessing vulnerability of human health to climate change, existing adaptation activities and available adaptive capacity, identifying and recommending adaptation measures for the development and implementation of national health adaptation programmes and a research agenda.To proactively collaborate with counterparts at the national level to promote and enhance the development and implementation of comprehensive projects, programmes and plans to resolve/mitigate priority environmental health issues, in particular ensuring early warning systems for climate sensitive diseases are in place.To be actively engaged with the monitoring and evaluation of health adaptation projects and programmes implemented by governments and concerned stakeholders at the national, regional and global level to determine progress against implementation targets and plans, effectiveness and specific vulnerabilities and/or to propose remedial actions and innovative solutions to identified constraints.To collaborate with governments and stakeholders and support regular reporting and the production of national, regional and global reports to share successes, lessons learnt and best practices as an authoritative reference to make policy decisions and resource allocations and to raise and increase awareness on the threats that climate change presents to human health.To actively support the development and dissemination of appropriate information packages and guidelines to facilitate community-based behavioural change programmes related to climate change and human health.To fully participate in the identification of national capacity gaps to improve existing procedures and introduce new practices and/or ideas among partners and key stakeholders; and support the planning and management of workshops, seminars and training to strengthen health staff and Member State skill-sets.To support the development of strategic partnerships, including drafting proposals, to increase advocacy and ensure that health is properly represented in the climate change agenda and for resource mobilization to sustain PHE activities and interventions contributing to climate change mitigation interventions on human health.To perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university degree in Environmental Health or Climate Change related sciences and a postgraduate degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or a related field.
Desirable\: Post-graduate training or specialization in Public Health, Science/Engineering, Management, Chemical Safety, Health Education or Communication for Development.

Experience

Essential\: At least seven years' practical experience in development and implementation of scientific and operational aspects of human health and climate change, of which, at least three years were at the international level.Experience, ideally in developing countries, working with organizations and issues pertinent to climate change and human health projects, policies and/or monitoring, including with governmental bodies at regional and national level.
Desirable\: Experience facilitating training in addition to research experience in environmental health and climate change.Experience with the UN System or WHO, ideally related to climate change and human health, and knowledge of national, regional and global partnerships and networks.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge and skills in the principles and practices of protection of human health from climate change, particularly in risk management, climate change and health, environmental health, project management and research; Proven ability to evaluate country needs for planning and promoting national health adaptation capabilities; Demonstrated expertise supporting the planning, development and implementation of norms and standards related to climate change and health; Proven track record in supporting the development of effective mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation to facilitate reporting, lessons learnt and best practices and the promotion of cross-cutting activities; Sound understanding of global and regional issues of PHE; Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to give technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners; Proven ability in climate change resource mobilization and advocacy; Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to promote consensus and resolve issues in a proactive manner; Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Excellent knowledge of English or French.
Desirable\: Working knowledge of the other

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 72,637 (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 3226 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.

• 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.