National Professional Officer (HIV/STI/Hepatitis)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right.All of WHO's actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying value of equity as described in the General Programme of Work. The 13th General Programme of Work defines the mission of WHO as one to promote health, to keep the world safe, and to protect the vulnerable. The GPW calls for heightened accountability, prioritizing impact and outcome at country level, and to improve the lives of three billion people, through universal health coverage, through addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations.WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions\: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.The European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out.The WHO Country Office supports the Member State to shape its health policy in line with WHO's principles and values and advocates for an integrated approach to health development. By means of a single, unified and functionally integrated country representation, WHO facilitates the implementation of the GPW13 and particularly BCA with the Member State and its corresponding country work plan. WHO helps the country to improve its health system, facilitates policy dialogue and provides technical support as necessary. The WHO country office administers, consolidates, manages and enhances WHO collaboration in the country including all resources deployed in the country either permanently or temporarily to maximize WHO impact. The Country Office also has a representational, fund-raising and resource steering function, as neededThe aim of the Division of Health Emergencies and Communicable Diseases (DEC) in the WHO Regional Office for Europe is\:--> to improve health security across the WHO European Region by maintaining regional alert and response operations and assisting countries in building their capacity for surveillance systems, preparedness for, and response to all health emergencies, in line with the requirements of the International Health Regulations and specific country risks;--> to promote WHO's leadership in health emergencies and communicable disease prevention and control, including through relevant regional initiatives and specific research projects;--> to assist countries in the Region to design, establish and run effective health programmes that are able to tackle the burden of communicable diseases, particularly, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, especially M/XDR-TB, viral hepatitis, influenza, malaria, antimicrobial resistance and vaccine-preventable diseases through strengthened immunization programmes and to achieve/maintain regional elimination/eradication goals as for measles, rubella, malaria, and poliomyelitis;--> to ensure, within EURO, the availability of state-of-the-art competency to provide high level technical support to Member States of the Region, in collaboration with Headquarters and in close partnership with relevant institutions of the Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To support technical collaboration and assistance to the Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and activities to prevent, control and end tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) within the overall context of Universal Health Coverage, under the WHO's country programme in Turkmenistan as defined in the relevant Biennial Workplans and grant agreements.Key duties\:

1. manages and coordinates the implementation of WHO JTH components of the Turkmenistan Biennial Workplan 2020-21 in close cooperation with national governmental counterparts and other key stakeholders;

2. coordinates and contributes to WHO/EURO overall efforts and especially the country specific work on strengthening response to HIV, TB and STI in Turkmenistan;

3. ensures proper incorporation of health systems function in the programme delivery; contribute to advocating and promoting the WHO policy and strategies on HIV/AIDS, TB and STI;

4. within the context of overall Regional fundraising strategy, supports the JTH coordinator and WR to identify sources for potential additional funding and prepares project proposals in line with the WHO's overall policies and objectives; identifies possibilities for local/national funding of the agreed programme and for financing WHO expert support for implementation of the national TB strategy, and national HIV strategy and action plan;

5. supports the operationalization and coordination of WHO collaboration activities for capacity building of national state and non-state actors involved in HIV, TB and STI programmes and facilitates exchange of information and experiences within the country and with international partners and experts;

6. supports ongoing efforts to strengthen communicable diseases surveillance, monitoring and evaluation systems in line with existing regional surveillance networks and strengthen country capacity to generate and systematically use strategic information through national information systems and routine programme monitoring in line with global norms and standards;

7. promotes WHO policies, practices and integrated service delivery approaches in order for the country to achieve equitable access to quality prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment;

8. facilitates updating of the national strategies, guidelines and tools in line with global and regional consolidated guidance in various settings, including prisons, and health emergency context;

9. performs other relevant duties, as assigned by the supervisors;

10. supports implementation of collaborative HIV/TB activities at national, regional and facility levels through revision of HIV/TB case reporting tool.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, epidemiology, public health or related area of study.
Desirable\: Master's degree in any of the above-mentioned areas. Specialized training in one of the following areas\: international health, sexually transmitted and /or communicable diseases management, epidemiology, health policy.

Experience

Essential\: At least two years of relevant work experience with national health authorities or with national organizations, civil society groups in the field of TB, or HIV/AIDS or other related communicable diseases. Experience in project management and implementation of public health programmes in the above-mentioned fields.
Desirable\: Relevant work experience within WHO, United Nations, NGOs, donors or similar entities. International managerial experience. Experience providing policy advice to countries and governments.

Skills

--> Demonstrated knowledge of public health and epidemiology, particularly in disease prevention and control strategies, and especially of current practices and associated technologies for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tuberculosis, HIV and STI;--> Demonstrated knowledge of challenges and opportunities of communicable diseases in Turkmenistan and the targeted interventions for key populations at higher risk;--> Proven skills in developing and strengthening partnerships with and between government officials and agencies responsible for communicable diseases (particularly tuberculosis, HIV and STI), civil society, community-based organizations and other networks in the country;--> Demonstrated knowledge and ability to develop and implement communicable diseases interventions (particularly tuberculosis, HIV and STI) and related advocacy efforts and products;

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Local language . Expert knowledge of Russian.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 31,912 (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.

• 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'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.