Technical Officer (Antimicrobial Stewardship)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The mission of the Antimicrobial Resistance Division is to define, advance, promote and monitor comprehensive policies and strategies that prevent, reduce, and mitigate drug-resistant infections and the overall impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally based on the Global Action Plan on AMR and the 13th Global Programme of Work of WHO and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also provides global direction and strategic leadership for the global response to AMR in coordination with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and other United Nations (UN) and international agencies and facilitates the creation of common goal and vision through innovative partnerships, political engagement and promoting multisectoral engagement and synergy across the One Health spectrum in humans, animals, plants, food, feed and the environment. Its main objective is to support the development, implementation, and monitoring of One Health National Action Plans for Member States and facilitate the mainstreaming of effective strategies and actions, including on the prevention and control of infection, antimicrobial stewardship, awareness creation and communication, research and development in their health and development agendas in partnership with FAO, OIE and other key partners.

The Department of Global Coordination and Partnership on AMR leads and coordinates the global One Health multisectoral response to AMR in cooperation with FAO, OIE, the UN as well as other agencies, civil society, and the private sector, towards a world free from the suffering of drug-resistant infections. The Department has the following functions in line with WHO's General Programme of Work to protect antimicrobials important for human health and mitigate drug-resistant infections: Leads the global One Health multisectoral response to AMR across the human, animal, plant, food, feed and environment sectors, through multisectoral engagement and interventions, and strengthening advocacy and awareness; Facilitates global coordination and interagency engagement and partnership for creation and sustenance of shared global vision and goals; Shapes the research and development agenda through innovation, priority setting and supporting global initiatives that enable the generation, translation and dissemination of knowledge; Facilitates, nurtures and scales up evidence-based interventions to enhance stewardship, awareness, and understanding of AMR across the One Health spectrum.The Antimicrobial Stewardship and Awareness Unit facilitates, nurtures and advocates for evidence-based interventions to enhance antimicrobial stewardship activities, promotes awareness and understanding of AMR and coordinates global advocacy and campaigns on AMR. This includes: Advocating for evidence-based interventions to enhance the appropriate, prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials in the human, human-animal health and food chain sectors; Optimizing the stewardship of antimicrobials through the dissemination of normative guidance, best practices, and technical support; Driving awareness and understanding of AMR through education, training, behavior change, and communications; Coordinating global campaigns, including World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
• Provide specialist technical and coordination support to the work program in the area of antimicrobial stewardship through the dissemination of normative guidance and best practices, across the One Health spectrum.
• Develop and coordinate work plans and budgets aimed at sustained and effective implementation of the antimicrobial stewardship activities and behavioral change activities.
• Support resource mobilization efforts liaising with partners to generate funding to support critical antimicrobial stewardship activities.
• Advance liaison and coordination with counterparts in Tripartite organisations, donor and partners (UN and bilateral) for development, implementation and assessment of the impact of antimicrobial stewardship activities.
• Advocate for the preservation of antimicrobials through effective coordination and partnership with the Tripartite organisations and other stakeholders for strengthened impact and result at country level.
• Write and coordinate timely technical reports on programs for stewardship activities and behavioral change in close collaboration with partners, governments, civil society and the private sector.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of standards, tools, instruments and mechanisms for the containment of AMR as part of the One Health response through application of behavioral change science and seeking synergy between the animal, human and environment sectors.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in Health such as medicine, public health, pharmacy, pharmacology or closely related field.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree or additional training in behavioral science, human or veterinary medicine.

Experience
Essential:
• A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in communicable diseases, AMR or public health.
• Demonstrated professional experience in developing and implementing policies and strategies with engagement of diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in antimicrobial stewardship activities.
• Experience in managing and working in multidisciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated experience at the international level.

Desirable: Experience working in developing countries.

Skills
• Sound technical knowledge and political understanding of the global response against AMR and its stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge and skills in the area of resource mobilization.
• Knowledge and experience in promoting behavioral change and stewardship activities.
• Knowledge of WHO and/or the Tripartite Organisations' policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the area of One Health response to AMR, and ability to apply them on the global and country level.
• Highly developed communication, diplomatic and advocacy skills.
• Ability to prepare, review and revise reports and objectives of assigned program and activities. Strong writing skills.
• Team spirit and management skills.

WHO Competencies
• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English
Desirable: Knowledge of another WHO language

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 73,516 (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 5367 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'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.
• 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.