Regional Adviser, Management of NCDs and Cancer

Purpose of the Post:

The purpose of the post in to provide strategic planning and leadership as well as authoritative advice and direction to Member States in respect to management of the four major non-communicable diseases. Lead the horizontal coordination of the technical work between the various units of the Division and across the Organization anchoring the NCD issues on their agendas for optimal integration of prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in respect of universal health coverage, health systems and care continuum. Reposition management of NCDs and initiate joint programmes and partnerships. Provide strategic advice and coordinate special initiatives on cancer with WHO Ambassador to the European Union’s initiatives on cancer prevention and control to ensure coordinated pan-European approach to cancer initiatives.

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.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

The purpose of the post in to provide strategic planning and leadership as well as authoritative advice and direction to Member States in respect to management of the four major non-communicable diseases. Lead the horizontal coordination of the technical work between the various units of the Division and across the Organization anchoring the NCD issues on their agendas for optimal integration of prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in respect of UHC, health systems and care continuum. Reposition management of NCDs and initiate joint programmes and partnerships. Provide strategic advice to the Director, CHP and coordinate special initiatives on cancer with WHO Ambassador to the European Union’s initiatives on cancer prevention and control to ensure coordinated pan-European approach to cancer initiatives.

Key duties:

1. Provide strategic advice to the Director on policies, strategic directions and priorities on management of NCDs, and as a content expert provide leadership and direction for management of NCDs.
2. Develop and implement integrated multi-diseases approaches across the Unit, CHP and other Divisions, and country offices and strengthen delivery capacities for the activities of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in the WHO European Region.
3. Co-lead with the NCD Office the technical assistance in development of NCD investment cases, national NCD strategic plans as well as strategic planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of WHO Europe prevention and control for NCDs.
4. In close interaction with the Director, and in collaboration and coordination with NCD Office Moscow as well as relevant staff in CHP, and other Divisions, Country Offices, headquarters and relevant partners, coordinate and facilitate evidence-based development, processing, information gathering, writing, and finalization of formal technical/strategic documents and state of art scientific papers, including for Governing Bodies.
5. Develop strategic directions, tools and instruments and advise Member States in evidence-based NCD policies and plans for national NCD responses in technical cooperation with the teams in CHP, CPS and other divisions, and country offices, including the design, testing and deployment of innovative, context-based recommendations and models for integration of NCD interventions within health systems to ensure high-quality services for the prevention and management of both acute episodes and chronic health conditions across the care continuum.
6. Develop, direct and coordinate strategic initiatives (signature solutions) related to cancer, including pan-European approach to cancer and other initiatives. Take a lead role in convening regional stakeholders and establishing and managing regional partnership/s and coordination group/s to steer novel approaches in implementation of global cancer initiatives, including cervical cancer, breast cancer and childhood cancer.
7. Monitor the expert advisory panels, guide the development of joint initiatives and work plans with professional societies and WHO Collaborating Centres (dealing with cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and others) aligning joint activities with the objectives of Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in the WHO European Region and monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of collaboration.
8. Represent WHO Europe and provide authoritative advice on matters related to the screening, early diagnoses, treatment and monitoring of NCDs in relevant meetings, liaison with international, regional and national health authorities and external partners.
9. Identify opportunities and special areas of mutual interest with potential donors.
10. Produce authoritative and relevant policy papers, briefs and presentations on the subject matter.
11. Support the Director of CHP in discharging responsibility of coordinating upstream matters related to the NCD management, and broader WHO Europe Prevention and Control of NCDs.
12. Perform other duties, as required.

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

Comprehensive knowledge of global and regional public health aspects of NCDs.

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

In-depth knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries in the WHO European Region.

Experience in developing innovative actions, convening and managing multi-level partnerships.

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

Excellent leadership, project management and performance management skills.

Ability to foster team work and to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels.

Ability to motivate and supervise staff.
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
Promoting WHO's position in health leadership
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree (Master’s level) in medicine, public health related to non-communicable diseases.
Desirable: PhD in the field of NCDs. Specialized medical training in noncommunicable diseases, preferably in cancer.

Experience:

Essential: At least 10 years of national and international professional experience in NCDs, including treatment of NCDs. Proven practical experience and track record in implementing or advising on key domains of NCD Management. Broad knowledge of technical programmes related to the area of work (disease surveillance, epidemiology, capacity building, guideline development, design of essential NCD services). Experience developing and implementing public health 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 100% FTE remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 85,543 (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 4612 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.
For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
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.

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