Medical Officer, Cardiovascular Diseases

Purpose of the Post:

Support strategic leadership and capacity strengthening of the Regional Office in development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, plans and programmes for management of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), specifically in the area of cardiovascular diseases. Provide technical advice and support to European Member states with regard to strengthening national and sub-national capacities in developing and implementing policies, strategies, tools and capacities in relation to cardiovascular diseases.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective:

The Division of Country Health Programmes (CHP) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases and address the social, economic and environmental determinants of health, and promotes policies and actions for health through stewardship of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. It focuses on health promotion measures; prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, and risks related to tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and the harmful use of alcohol; communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases; elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and advocacy for increased use of vaccines; containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance; addressing existing and emerging environmental health risks, and supporting violence and injury prevention. A determination to ensure universal access to people-centred quality health services across the continuum of care is matched by enriching the evidence base for policy design and interventions using social, cultural and behavioural approaches, to drive implementation of innovation at national, regional and local levels.

The WHO/Europe Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases approach will foster the achievement of NCD-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals in the WHO European Region countries through fostering innovations and strengthening national capacities, governance, multisectoral action, and partnerships in reducing major risk factors, orienting health systems towards people-centered health care and universal health coverage and ensuring access to quality NCD services across the care continuum.

The NCD Management unit will work to close the gap between the east and west of the Region in cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, delivering policy recommendations, and training and capacity-building support to countries across the continuum of care, from clinical prevention, through early detection and screening, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care to implement priority interventions contextually and providing diseases-specific advice, improving service delivery models as part of health systems strengthening, people-centered health care and universal health coverage, linking also with flagships to provide evidence-based digital health solutions and behavioral change interventions. Cancer is a major source of health inequity in the WHO European Region. Accordingly, fostering and disseminating innovations to improve cancer control in the Region will be a special focus. The unit will work with WHO ambassador to the European Union’s initiatives on cancer prevention and treatment, to ensure coordinated response and to develop pan-European approach for action against cancer, achieving equity across Europe. It will convene regional stakeholders and establish a regional platform of experts from Member States, relevant United Nations regional specialized agencies, European professional associations, cancer patient associations, WHO Collaborating Centres and academic networks to steer novel approaches in implementation of global cancer initiatives, including elimination of cervical cancer, breast cancer and childhood cancers. The unit will facilitate the development of sub-regional coalition of countries and the establishment of institutional twinning mechanisms to increase uptake and appropriate transfer of evidence-based knowledge and best practices. It will provide strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to countries in developing and implementing national cancer control plans, building quality-assured cancer screening programmes, combining evidence and expertise to build country capacities increasing compliance with good cancer care standards, and work cross-programmatically to improve access to quality and innovative cancer medicines.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

Support strategic leadership and capacity strengthening of the Regional Office in development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, plans and programmes for management of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), specifically in the area of cardiovascular diseases. Provide technical advice and support to European Member states with regard to strengthening national and sub-national capacities in developing and implementing policies, strategies, tools and capacities in relation to cardiovascular diseases.

Key duties:

As the WHO EURO content expert and focal point for cardiovascular diseases;
1. Provide high-level, specialist technical support to the work program in the area of cardiovascular diseases ensuring technical quality and competence and to be responsible for the overall timeliness and quality of all programmatic deliverables both for country and inter-country work;
2. Develop regional plans to implement global and regional strategies in the area of cardiovascular diseases prevention and management harnessing European and other experiences and knowledge, documenting gaps therein for the definition of the research agenda on the subject matter; develop joint initiatives and coordinate international activities with relevant organizations and partners in the technical area;
3. Ensures consistency and cohesiveness with WHO guidelines, approaches and messages, contributing to the WHO normative function;
4. Develop and synthesize related knowledge to build the evidence base in cardiovascular diseases for dissemination to European Member States; adapt global technical packages and tools to regional/country needs, develop, facilitate and support implementation of innovative approaches, instruments and tools in the area of cardiovascular diseases;
5. Provide comprehensive technical guidance and support to countries to implement and scale up evidence-based interventions, developing and promoting effective models of care for integrating/embedding prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases in PHC and across the care continuum and UHC;
6. Coordinate with the relevant staff and units within CHP, and other Divisions, especially with CPS to ensure coordination of activities and joint initiatves on increasing affordable access to cardiovascular diagnosis, technology and medicines, digital solutions and ehealth platforms; as well as Country Offices, development of cross-programmatic initiatives pursuing EPW core priorities and linking with flagships, when relevant;
7. Provide technical support and direct advice on technical information and data on the area of cardiovascular diseases; data analysis and preparation of reports to facilitate information sharing, decision-making and response. Liaise with relevant experts to ensure broadest dissemination of WHO guidance and policies to the international community and general public.
8. Produce authoritative and relevant policy papers and briefs on the subject matter;
9. Contribute to overall WHO efforts in prevention and control of NCDs through strategies and programme priorities established at global, regional and national levels;
10. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

Expert level knowledge in medical and diseases control aspects relevant to the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, specifically in the area of cardiovascular diseases.

Knowledge of global and regional public health aspects of NCDs.

Knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries in the WHO European Region.

Track record of delivering presentations for high level events and technical meetings.

Ability to engage in partnership and collaboration with international organizations, professional associations, philanthropies, institutions and Member States, to build relationships and create synergies in work.
Emotional awareness; the ability to identify and harness one’s emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to
do the same.

Competencies:

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing Results
Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: An advanced university degree in medicine, public health or related areas directly related to cardiovascular diseases.
Desirable: Specialized medical training in cardiovascular diseases. PhD in the field of NCDs.

Experience:

Essential: At least 7 years of national and international professional experience in NCDs. Proven practical experience and track record in implementing or advising on key domains of cardiovascular diseases. Broad knowledge of technical programmes related to the area of work (disease surveillance, epidemiology, capacity building, guideline development, design of essential NCD/cardiovascular services). Experience developing and implementing NCD programmes at the national and international levels.
Desirable: Experience in the WHO European Region. Relevant experience in WHO, UN organizations/agencies, international institutions or NGOs.

Languages:

Fluency in English required. Working knowledge of either French, Russian or German an asset.

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 3786 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.