Technical Officer (NCD)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Programmes (CHP) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases and address thesocial, 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 andemerging 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 cancer control, delivering policy recommendations, and training and capacity-building support to countries across the continuum of care, from prevention, through early detection and screening, diagnosis, treatment, supportiveand palliative care to implement priority interventions contextually andproviding cancer-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 immunisation 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 is of paramount importance. The unit works with WHO cancer ambassador to ensure coordinated response and to develop pan-European approach for action against cancer, achieving equity across Europe. It convenes regional stakeholders and establishes 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 facilitates 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 provides 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide technical support to the delivery of cancer integrated prevention and control at country and intercountry level, notably by supporting development of the United Action Against Cancer (UAAC) initiative.

Key duties:

Facilitating dissemination of WHO signature solutions, exchange of best practices, international comparisons and translation of global and regional initiatives, including the UAAC, by assisting in organizing events, drafting agendas, session briefs, writing terms of reference and developing background material.

Assisting in preparing supportive material as relevant to missions, technical assessments, reviews and requests from organization and countries.

Synthesizing evidence and experiences in briefs, PowerPoint presentations and reports.

Supporting the provision of extended technical support to demonstration countries for cervical, breast and children cancer.

Assisting country support by liaising with countryoffices and national counterparts for assigned countries in order to support the timely implementation of project activities.

Facilitating study visits, field visits andmissions by providing technical and organizational support.

Collecting and analysing data through desk reviews and exchanges with relevant experts, in order to inform national and regional policies, action plans and roadmaps.

Assisting in the preparation of scientific papers and communication materials and in the coordinating/overseeing publication processes.

Contributing to the NCD Programme operational planning and reporting activities in the area of own competency and reporting on intercountry work including coordinating regular technical reporting.

Other relevant duties relevant scope of the assignment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in social, or economic sciences, medicine, public health or related areas relevant to the post.
Desirable: Master's degree or additional post-graduate qualification in public health.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of relevantpublic health experience in the area of NCDs.
Desirable: Demonstrated experience with review and synthesis of literature and evidence; preparation of reports, presentations and briefing materials; organization of events and project work. Relevant experience within WHO and/or other UN agencies or supranational entities and in countries of the WHO European Region.

Skills

Demonstrated excellent project management and organizationalskills;

Demonstrated skills in reviewing literature, synthesis and reporting the results;

Demonstrated excellent writing and presentation skills;

Demonstrated knowledge of standard text, spreadsheet and presentation software applications;

Emotional intelligence;

Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of either French, Russian or German.

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 48,805 (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 2733 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.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.