Team Leader (Communicable Diseases)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans for strengthening the work in the area of Communicable Diseases. The WCO-India programme of work supports the GOI in:

1. Providing technical support in developing national policies, strategies and programs activities in the area of Communicable Diseases and prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

2. Contributing to strengthening the monitoring of the prevention and elimination of Communicable Diseases as public health problem.

3. Facilitating the adoption of evidence-based public health interventions in relevant areas and well as the transitioning of existing programs and health systems reforms and changes with a view to promote equity and accelerate the movement towards Universal Health Coverage.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

All the Member States of WHO in the South East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

WHO's mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage; (ii) health related sustainable development goals; (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities; (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005); (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products; (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

The South - East Asia Region of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India's population of 1.3 billion. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems as well as of the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate.Mission of the WHO Country Office for India Within the framework of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in: (i) developing and sustaining its own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii) anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India and the direct supervision of Deputy-WR, with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India biennial workplans in accordance with WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India , the incumbent will lead WCO-India team working on communicable diseases and AMR and will have the following responsibilities:

1. Provide technical leadership and managerial support to the WHO Country office team working on Communicable Diseases and AMR, facilitate the development and the implementation of the relevant work plans under the WHO-GOI collaborative programme while promoting the integration of health programmes with health systems approaches and ensure the monitoring and evaluation of related activities;

2. Promote the generation of evidence on communicable diseases and AMR and contribute to informed policy decisions by government and provide cutting edge policy advice. Help improve the information system on communicable diseases / AMR and the monitoring of progress towards UHC and facilitate its integration in to the national health information system;

3. Provide technical assistance and support for the development and adaptation to the country context of the relevant WHO's normative materials (including the production and/or adaptation of reports, guidelines, SOPs);

4. Liaise and coordinate with concerned technical units/ departments of MOH&FW, WHO/SEARO and WHO/HQ and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) to harmonise recommendations on policies and strategies related to Communicable Diseases and AMR and advocate for intersectoral actions to address determinants;

5. Contribute to the management of WCO's knowledge and advise on matters regarding universal health coverage of CDs, such as HIV/AIDS/hepatitis, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Neglected tropical diseases (including vector-borne diseases) , etc.;

6. Advise in strengthening and integrating, innovative private sector engagement models, research and innovations in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of CDs;

7. Ensure technical quality and relevance of contractual engagements with partners and institutions, make recommendations to the supervisors regarding WHO's support;

8. Collaborate with MOH&FW and selected states in undertake gap analyses and support capacity building efforts in these deficient areas to ensure that priorities are fulfilled;

9. Contribute to evaluating the impact of WHO's collaboration with India (aggregated and area specific) and to developing evaluation tools (e.g. defining the necessary performance indicators);

10. Support information brokering/exchange function of WCO India through contributions to the health information repository at the WCO India by collation, analysis and sharing of relevant health information and statistics;

11. Contribute to the external relationships, representation, communication and advocacy work of the WCO India aimed at improving health system transparency and accountability; and

12. Prepare administrative and technical reports and presentations and undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in health (medicine or public health) or social sciences.
Desirable: Post graduate degree in Medicine/Public Health/Communicable Diseases and/or Business Administration.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of relevant experience including considerable experience obtained in an international context with progressive responsibility in Public Health and Communicable diseases and policy analyses and advice as well as in technical assistance to countries, including capacity building, evidence generation and evaluation.
Desirable: Experience of work in UN and/or other international organizations.

Skills

The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization.

1. Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard to Communicable diseases with good understanding of relevant country's needs and priorities, issues and policies. Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas.

2. Good knowledge of the administrative functioning of government institutions and related departments/agencies, and of the other partners in India.

3. Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence. Public health leadership skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and international levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical issues. Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors. Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment.

4. Modern management skills (team management, performance management, planning evaluation, etc). Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare and monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements. Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports.

5. Knowledge of WHO /UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

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 2613 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.