Roster for Zonal Coordinator (Neglected Tropical Diseases)

Title: Roster of Zonal Coordinator (Neglected Tropical Diseases)

Grade: NOA

Contract type: Special Services Agreement

Deadline for applications: for 3 weeks

Duration: Initial offer of one year, extendable

(For details on contract type, please refer to Additional Information below)

Prospective Locations:

Dumka, Jharkhand

for immediate vacancy. Roster will be created to fill future vacancies.

The incumbent will be initially stationed at the prospective location. S/he could be posted anywhere in India as per the Project needs.

INTRODUCTION:

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

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 aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving the financial protection against health-related risks.

The Country Office contributes to providing technical support in developing national policies, strategies and activities in the area of health systems strengthening including, (i) advocating for Universal Health Coverage and building up national capacity in UHC-related matters (ii) facilitating the adoption of evidence -based public health interventions as well as appropriate reforms/changes with a view to promote equity and accelerate the movement towards universal health coverage.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

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 (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India’s population of 1.3 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), 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.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.3 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage.

In pursuit of the above goals, the Neglected Tropical Diseases network of WCO-India was launched in 2017 to work closely with the Union and State governments to support elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, Kala Azar and Leprosy in India.

NTD support to states include surveillance of the three diseases, planning and monitoring of prevention activities such as mass drug administration, indoor residual spraying, capacity building for activities related to lymphatic filariasis, leprosy and kala azar, drug supply chain management, planning, monitoring and training on transmission assessment surveys, and operational research.

In the context of the 13th General Programme of Work and within the framework of the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (2019-23), the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in:

• Accelerating progress on universal health coverage
• Promoting health and wellness by addressing determinants of health
• Better protect the population against health emergencies
• Enhancing India’s global leadership in health

Description of Duties:

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India, Deputy Head of WHO Country Office for India and Team Leader Communicable Diseases, and day-to-day supervision of the State Coordinator-NTDs, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities for a cluster of districts in her/his assigned area of work:

• To work under guidance of the State NTD Coordinator to support and facilitate districts in the implementation of work towards elimination and control of neglected tropical diseases (Kala-azar, Lymphatic Filariasis, Leprosy, soil-transmitted Helminthiasis and others) in the state;
• To liaise with and coordinate with the senior district health administration to ensure population and service coverage of preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of various National Health Programmes for NTDs;
• To assist districts in the organization of training programmes and act as a resource person to strengthen the capacity of the district and block level health functionaries in various neglected tropical diseases;
• To participate and assist State Coordinator-NTDs in data quality assessments, coverage supervision tool and coverage evaluation;
• Undertake the strengthening of information systems and health intelligence for decision-making as well as provide technical guidance in evidence generation for various neglected tropical diseases;
• To provide technical guidance to districts in the monitoring, surveillance and pharmacovigilance aspects of select NTDs;
• To work in collaboration with the NPSP offices to ensure the effectiveness in the implementation and management of the NTDs programme; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor(s).

Subject to the agreement of both parties, these Terms of Reference may be modified from time to time, as required in the interest of the Programme.

Education:

Essential: University degree in Medicine (MCI/State Medical Council registration essential)

Desirable: Post graduation in Community Medicine/preventive & social medicine/public health/ pediatrics/other allied fields. The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Competencies:

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Experience:

Essential: At least one (1) year of public health experience after graduation (post-graduation will be counted as experience)

Desirable: Experience in public health/program management and/or experience of working in the field of Neglected Tropical Diseases would be an added advantage.

Languages: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of local language will be an asset.

Additional Information:

Monthly remuneration is INR 136,415 taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he could be posted anywhere in India as per the Project needs.

Zonal Coordinators are nationals of the country (India) in which they are to serve, are recruited locally and are not subject to assignment to any official station outside the home country. Only Indian Nationals should apply.

The incumbent should contribute to ensuring high professional, ethical, and institutional standards of the Organization. S/he should also meet professional conduct expectations, and basic universal norms of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and lawful behavior. This includes compliance with the above, including ability to: perform within existing organizational structures and governance; adhere to WHO's processes; demonstrate gender and cultural sensitivity; demonstrate respectful and constructive interpersonal communication; perform as a team player; and demonstrate due diligence.

Applications which are not completed in all respects will not be considered.

Those who are interested may wish to send their applications in the attached Personal History Form (PHF) (signed and duly completed in all respects) to seindssarec@who.int