Technical Officer

PN 405020

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme envisions a region where all health-related policies, decisions on healthcare development and implementation, and innovations are informed by best available evidence from verifiable knowledge, research and reliable information. The programme's mission is to strengthen the capacity of Member States to improve availability, quality and use of evidence from reliable information, research and other sources of knowledge, and to enhance effective innovations toward Universal Health Coverage and health related Sustainable Development Goals.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Provide technical advice to Member States in conducting situation analysis of the core components of CRVS systems to identify gaps and set priorities for the improvement of CRVS systems.

2. Be responsible for implementing activities related to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities and programmes in CRVS systems.

3. Collaborate with international partners, in and outside the health sector, to draft, revise and further develop strategies, standards and tools to strengthen country CRVS systems.

4. Provide technical input to WHO's work in health data standards and Family of International Classifications (FIC) in collaboration with focal points in governments, the academic community, the regional WHO FIC collaborating centers and others.

5. Provide technical support to countries on CRVS strengthening, ICD implementation, CRVS assessments, Verbal Autopsy methods, cause of deaths analysis, data quality assessment and mortality estimations as well as production of Vital Statistics reports at national and sub-national levels.

6. Provide technical support to countries on certification and reporting of causes of death and in analyzing causes of death reports for indicator development and burden of disease assessment.

7. Participate in the regional and national institutional capacity for monitoring and evaluation of SDGs using data from routine health information systems, surveys and other sources, such as CRVS systems as related to mortality and morbidity assessments.

8. Establish and maintain effective contacts with global and regional partnerships to mobilize resources (human resources, technical and financial) for health information systems strengthening in the region.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medicine, biostatistics, epidemiology or public health.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health or public health related field.

Experience

Essential: At least five years' experience at both the national and international levels in the field of statistics and data development, including CRVS systems and use of classifications and terminologies.
Desirable: Working experience with NGOs, UN or international agencies.

Skills

• Very good knowledge of the assessment, planning, development and implementation of projects and programmes on CRVS systems.

• Excellent knowledge of the principles and recommendations for vital statistics systems.

• In depth knowledge of CRVS systems, cause of death certification and analysis.

• Excellent management capacity, including networking and alliance building.

• Proven knowledge of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD); International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and related classifications.

• Excellent knowledge of Verbal Autopsy methods, cause of deaths analysis, data quality assessment and mortality estimations.

• Knowledge of Verbal Autopsy software such as Inter-VA and Smart-VA.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork.

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.

• Communication.

• Moving forward in a changing environment.

• Promoting innovation and organizational learning.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Arabic.

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 60,962 (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 1494 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.
• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.