Unit Head (Chemical Safety and Health))

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. The role of the Department for Environment, Climate Change and Health (ECH) within the overall work of WHO is to promote a healthier environment, intensify primary prevention and to influence public policies in all sectors to address the root causes of environmental threats to health. ECH develops and promotes preventive policies and interventions based on an understanding and an in-depth scientific analysis of the evidence base for environmental determinants of human health.The Chemical Safety and Health (CHE) Unit works to establish the scientific basis for the sound management of chemicals, and to strengthen national capabilities and capacities for chemical safety. In this context, the unit establishes norms, guidelines and guidance on chemicals of concern, harmonized risk assessment methodologies and other chemical safety issues. Support to Member States is provided on poisons prevention, information and management as well as on chemical incidents and emergencies. The unit promotes health in international conventions and agreements, leads implementation of the WHO Chemicals Road Map adopted in WHA70(23) and WHA67.11 on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and provides the Secretariat for the Inter-organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic duties --> Provides technical leadership, coordination and managerial support within the Department/Programme, in the Unit of Chemical Safety and Health ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.--> Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the sound management of chemicals for strengthening and improving technical capacity of target clienteles.--> Oversees a unit of technical staff specialized in various domains within their area of expertise and facilitates the efficient flow of unit synergies.--> Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a team of technical staff, financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.--> Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work. --> Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables.--> Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise. --> Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in sound chemicals management to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies.--> Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for the protection of health in sound chemicals management.--> Perform all other related duties as assigned.Specific duties: Engage with Member States and other stakeholders to implement the WHO Chemicals Road Map (WHA70(23)) and strengthen WHO networks of ministries of health and other public health institutions involved in the assessment and sound management of chemicals.Lead and coordinate the provision of authoritative scientific and technical advice on chemicals and health, the development of WHO information products, norms, standards and guidelines, and related communication and advocacy campaigns.Across the organization, coordinate implementation of cross-cutting chemicals management polices such as the Minamata Convention on Mercury (WHA67.11). Represent the Organization at the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions and the International Conference on Chemicals Management to promote public health objectives in the development and implementation of international instruments on chemicals. Act as head of secretariat to the Inter-organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree in medical sciences, epidemiology and/or toxicology related to the functions of the position.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the identification and management of the health impacts of chemicals, including experience in the area of health policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable: Representational experience at senior level in intergovernmental fora.

Skills

Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.Good skills in mobilizing resources. Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.Technical excellence in relation to the impacts of chemicals on health and expertise in their management at national and international levels. Recognized leadership and ability to work with expert networks and with other organizations, including in inter-institutional teams, at international and national levels.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. 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 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 6094 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• 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.