Technical Officer (Fiscal Policies for Health)

Geneva

Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
Location: Geneva
Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Public Health and Health Service
- Banking and Finance
- HQ/HPR Health Promotion HEP
Closing Date: Closed

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 Division, the Department of Health Promotion (HPR) works to reduce risks associated with tobacco use, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity, thereby contributing to better population health, through cross-cutting normative, fiscal and legal measures to enhance wellbeing, health literacy and engage multi stakeholders through settings approach and community engagement strategies.

Within the HPR Department, the Fiscal Policies for Health (TAX) Unit provides strategic leadership, capacity building and specialized technical assistance in the field of fiscal measures for health, particularly on excise taxation on tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverage products. In addition, the TAX Unit leads on the development of tools which provide guidance on how to use fiscal measures, in particular taxation of tobacco, alcohol and SSBS to reduce healthcare costs and generate a revenue stream for development.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic duties: Under the broad supervision of the Unit Head, HPR/TAX, the Economist:

Provide technical input to the work program in the area of Fiscal Policies for Health.
Undertake research and economic analysis to generate evidence for advancing policies and programs supportive of fiscal policies for health, including compiling all relevant global, regional and country specific information that will advance tobacco and other health taxes reform.
Monitor work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow-up on the implementation of planned activities.
Analyze data of best practices in implementing fiscal policies for health as well as prepare and disseminate information.
Prepare broad economic and tobacco industry analysis on target countries for tobacco and other health taxes work as well as country and regional fact sheets on relevant economic themes and develop a system that would update these fact sheets automatically.
Collaborate with the TAX team in the preparation of presentations relevant to tobacco and other health taxes work.
Contribute to the planning and undertaking of meetings, capacity building and other fora organized by TAX team on fiscal policies for health.
Provide assistance in the overall project management of the TAX team by coordinating communication with partners, preparing minutes of meetings, organizing conference calls, videoconferences and other meetings as well as ensure timely follow-up.
Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific duties:

Support the provision of advice, expertise, specialized technical assistance by the TAX team and help follow up in the development of fiscal policies for health to Member States including, but not limited to: (a) increases of excise duties on tobacco products; (b) changes in the taxation structure for tobacco products; (c) strengthening effective implementation of tobacco tax policy; and (d) countering industry arguments against tobacco and other health taxes.
Develop and manage a sharepoint for the TAX team compiling all relevant data and reports on the economics of tobacco and tobacco taxation as well as other health taxes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A first university degree in economics or related field relevant to the position from a recognized university.
Desirable:

An advanced degree (Masters level or above) in economics or related field.
Specialization or training in an area related to excise taxation of tobacco, alcohol or SSB products.

Experience

Essential:

At least 5 years of progressively professional experience in the area of economics of noncommunicable disease, revenue modeling, excise taxation of tobacco, alcohol or SSB products in national and international context, of which at least 2 years of this experience is in tobacco taxation work.
Demonstrated exposure at the international level.

Desirable: Experience working with Governments, UN agencies or academia at the country level.

Skills

Good knowledge of country level situations with regard to fiscal policies for health, particularly on excise taxation on tobacco, alcohol and SSBs as well as good understanding of relevant country needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO's policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations.
Ability to review and objectives of assigned program and activities.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
Excellent mathematical and analytical skills.
Public speaking techniques.
Excellent writing and drafting skills.
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
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of 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 62,120 (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 4260 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.