Technical Officer (Demographic Change and Healthy Ageing)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's UHC/Healthier Populations Division is to contribute to reducing health inequalities and reducing preventable disease and injury caused by environmental, social and economic determinants of health. This is achieved through a coordinated inter-sectoral approach aimed at enabling all people to enjoy better health and well-being, in line with the Organization's 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13) and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Within the HEP Division, the Department of Social Determinants of Health (SDH) leads WHO's efforts on addressing the social, physical and economic conditions that impact upon health, by compiling and disseminating evidence on what works to address these determinants, building capacity and advocating for more action. The Department supports Member States and other partners to address violence and unintentional injuries, foster healthy ageing, and improve equity and well-being. This will be facilitated through cross-cutting initiatives on improving urban health, addressing economic determinants, and developing strategic frameworks and evidence-based policies.

Within the SDH Department, the Unit on Demographic Change and Healthy Ageing (DHA) leads WHO's multisectoral and multi-stakeholder collaboration to improve the social and physical environments that are responsive to demographic change and foster healthy ageing. The main areas of focus are on: 1) supporting voice and community engagement; 2) connecting diverse stakeholders and partnering across sectors; 3) developing evidence, norms and standards; 4) building capacity and multisectoral leadership; 5) developing multisectoral policy; and 6) global advocacy. The Unit coordinates work on the Decade of Healthy Ageing.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Head of Unit, Demographic Change and Healthy Ageing, the position holder will assist with the development of normative documents and their implementation. The incumbent will work closely with ageing and thematic expert leads within and outside the Department.

• Provideinput into the work programme on demographic change and healthy ageing in Headquarters and assist the Head of Unit in its successful implementation.
• Draft, revise and further develop guidelines, national strategies and policies for demographic change and healthy ageing.
• Conduct data analyses and collect information on best practices and partners' experiences in implementing policies and programmes that address the social determinants of healthy ageing and strengthen health and broader systems.
• Undertake research on demographic change and healthy ageing to facilitate the development and implementation of the programmes and activities to reduce ageism, loneliness and social isolation, and prevent and respond to violence through multisectoral and multistakeholder collaboration.
• Support the development of the Platform for the Decade of Healthy Ageing.
• Manage the capacity building in healthy ageing including an on-line leadership training programme.
• Support the development of a data hub linked to the Decade Platform.
• Manage the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism including developing governance mechanisms, leading on the developing interventions in the areas of ageism and violence against older people.
• Provide advice on evidence, norms and standard development related to healthy ageing.
• Advocate, coordinate, and build partnerships with technical departments at HQ, national counterparts, and donor and development partners (UN and bilateral).
• Support the Head of Unit in convening WHO staff involved in demographic change and healthy ageing and addressing social determinants of health in their programmes.
• Serve as a technical resource concerning demographic change and healthy ageing in the country(ies) specifically on ageism, social isolation and violence against older persons responding to inquiries and providing detailed and technical information as needed.
• Monitor work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities under your responsibility.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced universitydegree in social sciences, psychology, public health, public policy, demographyor other relevant areas from a recognized university.
Desirable: Doctoral degree or above in Social Sciences, Public Health or a related area to the role.

Experience

Essential:

• At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in the area of social determinants of health or healthy ageing.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting high quality research, capacity building, managing coalitions / alliances, project management (including fundraising and donor reporting) and coordination involving multidisciplinary stakeholder groups.
• Proven expertise in data analysis, conducting systematic reviews (including retrieval, synthesis and assessment), evaluating interventions and their effectiveness and developing global public goods.
• Demonstrated experience at the international level.

Desirable:

• Experience in evidence-based policy-making.
• Previous work experience with WHO or another UN agency.
• Publishing experience preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of country level situations regarding ageism and violence with good understanding of relevant country's needs, priorities and policies;
• Knowledge of WHO's policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
• Ability to conduct research, collect data and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening multisectoral policies, systems and programmes.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned programme and activities.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• Strategic, efficient, reliable and results orientated while being creative.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• Team spirit and time management skills.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.
• Intermediate knowledge of Any other UN 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 5324 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.