National Professional Officer (Water and Living Environment)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

As a centre of technical and scientific excellence, the WHO Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region (“the Centre”) based in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, will contribute to the development of healthier and safer environments and strengthened community resilience to climate and environmental change for health and health equity for all people of the WHO Western Pacific Region. The Centre's objectives are to (1) strengthen the scientific information and evidence for policy-making on existing and emerging climate and environmental determinants of health, including adapting global norms and standards and monitoring trends in the Region; (2) assist Member States in developing and implementing policies to protect and promote health and well-being by addressing climate and environmental determinants of health across sectors; and (3) support Member States in developing and strengthening technical capacities and programmes, working with partners and stakeholders, including vulnerable populations, contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Western Pacific Regional Framework for Action on Health and Environment on a Changing Planet and WHO Global Strategy on Health, Environment and Climate Change.The Programme on climate, environment and health of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) aims to (i) effectively apply the Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13) through programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of WHO's programme of cooperation with countries in the Region; (ii) efficiently implement the WHO collaborative programmes by promoting technical cooperation, stimulate interest and coordinate support towards health development, based on global and regional strategies and WHO guidelines; and (iii) provide advice on programme and managerial matters encountered in project execution and administrative support.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Head of Centre\:

(1) Plan, implement, monitor the technical activities of the Water and Living Environment unit, in close collaboration with the Regional Office;

(2) Communicate and consult the governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders of hosting country on administrative and technical issues as mandated by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Centre signed in January 2019;

(3) Prepare for and facilitate working groups, meetings and workshops for capacity building and programme implementation to address the subject areas of Water and Living Environment unit;

(4) Assist the Head of Centre in communicating with ministries of health, ministries of environment and other institutions of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Health and Environment through reports, teleconferences, meetings etc., in close collaboration with the Regional Office;

(5) Assist the preparation of missions involving WHO staff and external consultants and help in following up their recommendations; and

(6) Perform other relevant duties as required by the Head of Centre.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced degree (master's level or higher) in environmental health specialized in water and living environment (chemical safety, WASH, environmental epidemiology, toxicology, etc.)
Desirable\: Doctoral degree in public health specialized in environmental health and/or epidemiology or related science field.

Experience

Essential\: At least seven years' experience in programme management, technical assistance, and/or resource mobilization.
Desirable\: Relevant experience on the issues of water and living environment, such as chemical safety, waste management, built environment, environmental noise as well as WASH is an advantage. Experience working within WHO or other UN agencies is an asset.

Skills

General knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in environmental health and specific knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in chemical safety, waste management, built environment, environmental noise, as well as WASH;

Work experience in project management (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) and writing of progress reports particularly under tight schedule, meeting deadlines;

High level of knowledge on the health impact of toxic chemicals, noise and WASH; and

Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of professional and personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at KRW 91,275,000 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.