Regional Adviser (Neglected Tropical Disease Control)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

In collaboration with Member countries, international and bilateral organizations and NGOs to reduce major neglected tropical diseases through strengthening the capacity of the Member countries. To eradicate dracunculiasis and yaws; to interrupt transmission of leprosy; to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminthiases, trachoma visceral leishmaniasis as a public health problem; to control cutaneous leishmaniasis, dengue and chikungunya, mycetoma, chromoblastomycosis and other deep mycoses, scabies and other ectoparasitoses, snakebite envenoming within targeted date. To prevent and control disease vectors, intermediate hosts and animal reservoirs responsible for the transmission of major vector borne diseases.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall supervision of Director, Department of Communicable Diseases, the incumbent will perform the following:

1. Plan and develop methodologies and evaluate the activities of the regional programme on the basis of the Regional Director's priorities and policies and ensure close cooperation with other related areas;

2. Ensure coordination and exchange of information with headquarters, other regional offices, health ministries, other organizations, etc.;

3. Participate with national authorities, nongovernmental organizations and international organizations to formulate the regional and country health programmes and to develop plans and activities to implement programme activities of the department; advise the Regional Director on the identification of priorities and action plans to meet objectives of the department's programmes;

4. Administer support to regional and country activities by providing advice and guidance to consultants and colleagues, and by recommendations on the selection of supplies and equipment;

5. Mobilize extrabudgetary resources to meet the programme needs which will enhance the programme implementation;

6. Promote and coordinate the activities of international, bilateral and voluntary agencies in the delivery of the programme, elimination of targeted diseases from the Region, advise and assist national authorities in identifying training needs and in organizing national and regional educational activities;

7. Promote the development of research programmes by encouraging the application of appropriate research methods, ensuring collection and distribution of research information, formulating protocols and scrutinizing research proposals for funding, advising on relevance and technical aspects of their design;

8. Exercise delegated authority to approve exceptions to the established methodology, e.g., interpret the Organization's policies with respect to difficult and complex cases; and

9. Perform any other related work as required and as may be assigned by the Supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Graduate in medicine from a recognized University with postgraduate degree in public health.
Desirable: Post graduate degree/diploma in tropical medicine.

Experience

Essential: Atleast 10 years of work experience, including considerable experience obtained in an international context, with progressive responsibility in policy analyses and advice as well as technical assistance to countries, including capacity building; and contribution to normative work to support country policy and technical assistance.
Desirable: 3-5 years of experience in an international organization, preferably a UN organization. Similar experience of working with donors & international partners.

Skills

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of a wide range of public health issues. Sound knowledge of the principles and practice of vector borne diseases and their control.

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.

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 89,837 (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 2560 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.