National Professional Officer (Lymphatic Filariasis)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India, other WHO Offices and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans for strengthening the work in the area of NTDs, including Lymphatic Filariasis, Leprosy, Visceral Leishmaniasis, and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis., This includes strengthening the monitoring of the prevention and control of NTDs and facilitating the adoption of evidence based public health interventions as well the transitioning of existing programmes and health system reforms to promote equity and accelerate the movement towards universal health coverage and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases.

In the Country Cooperation Strategy for India, one of the focus areas for accelerating progress on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), is the elimination of neglected tropical and vector borne diseases.

UNDERLYING VALUES AND CORE FUNCTIONS OF WHO

WHO's mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying

1. advancing universal health coverage
2. health related sustainable development goals
3. addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities
4. implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005)
5. increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products
6. addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India's population of 1.3 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.3 billion people in India by supporting the government in

(1) accelerating progress on universal health coverage

(2) promoting health and wellness by addressing determinants of health

(3) to better protect the population against health emergencies and

(4) enhancing India's global leadership in health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of Deputy Head of WHO Country Office and the direct supervision of the Team Leader Communicable Diseases, with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India's biennial work-plans in accordance with WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India as part of the WCO-India team working on communicable diseases, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

1. Provide technical and strategic advice and support to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India in strengthening the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (ELF) programme with an emphasis on policy, strategy, interventions, surveillance, monitoring and reporting.

2. Collaborate with national and state authorities, WHO Regional Office and Headquarters, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, national centres of excellence and other stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of the Lymphatic Filariasis programme including programme reviews, evaluations and capacity building at national and sub-national level.

3. Work in close collaboration with communicable diseases and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) focal points, health systems and other programmes in WCO-India in the movement towards universal health coverage with the focus on the rights to health, equity and quality of health services.

4. Engage multilateral and bilateral developmental partners in supporting India's role in global health through capacity development, strengthening of surveillance system, information sharing, and transferring of knowledge in consultation with MoHFW, Government of India. Facilitate multisectoral collaboration and resource in support of the national programmes on Lymphatic Filariasis.

5. Support the building of national research capacities in the area of Lymphatic Filariasis including the generation and dissemination of evidence and the utilization of evidence to informed policy and decision making.

6. Support in documenting successful interventions and synthesizing lessons learned for wider dissemination.

7. Support information brokering/exchange function of WCO India through contributions to the health information repository at the WCO India by collation, analysis and sharing of relevant health information and statistics.

8. Undertake any other tasks/duties as assigned by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Degree in medicine from a recognized university (MBBS).
Desirable: Post graduate degree in Medicine/Public Health/ Communicable Diseases or related field

Experience

Essential: At least two years of professional experience in the field of Neglected Tropical Diseases (including elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis) at national / state level.
Desirable: Experience of work in UN and/or other international organization. Experience working with Government Officials at national/state level.

Functional Skills and Knowledge

The incumbent should identify with and demonstrate the core values of the World Health Organization.

Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard to Lymphatic Filariasis with good understanding of country's needs and priorities, of issues and policies in various aspects of control of health systems organisation. Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas. Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence. Leadership, coordination and supervision skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and subnational levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical issues. Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors. Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment.

Modern management skills (planning and evaluation, etc.). Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare and monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements. Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports.

Knowledge of WHO /UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of Hindi.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

Excellent knowledge of computer applications; ability to make oral and written presentations on technical issues; and ability to write detailed, coherent, and concise briefing documents.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at INR 2,275,397 (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.