Technical Officer (Chemical Safety)

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 13thGeneral 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 Conventionon Mercury and provides the Secretariat for the Inter-organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Provide advice and technical support to Member States with respect to chemicals of concern, including on mercury in the context of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and related World Health Assembly Resolutions.Coordinate the delivery of global projects to address specific chemicals of concern, including mercury, in partnership with WHO Regional and Country Offices, UN Partners and health sector partners. Manage multi-component projects to address specific chemicals of concern, including overseeing technical subject area contractors, monitoring progress and preparing technical and financial reports as required by donors. Prepare technical documents and reports, conduct data collection, and lead the development, adaptation,application and mainstreaming of tools and guidance for addressing specific chemicals of concern and their health impacts.Lead/Advance the development and implementation of curricula, training programmes and workshops for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and institutional strengthening globally relatedto chemicals of concern, including with the support of WHO Academy.Participate actively and represent WHO in international fora including multilateral negotiations on chemicals, including the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the other chemicals and waste conventions, interagency UN networks and technical committees, to facilitate inclusion of health in international instruments, a strong health evidence base, and promote engagement of the health sector. Participate actively and represent WHO in professional networks, ensuring contacts with relevant academic, research and practice communities, and other interest groups. Support partnerships and collaborations with technical departments at WHO HQ, Regional and CountryOffices, national counterparts, and donor and development partners (UN andbilateral), as appropriate.Perform other duties asrequired.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medical or biological sciences, with a post-graduate degree in a toxicology-related field.
Desirable: Further training in toxicology and/or epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: Minimum of seven years of experience working on the health aspects of chemicals of which at least five years at an international level. Demonstrated experience in analysing, interpreting andcommunicating results related to the health impacts of chemicals and related interventions to different audiences.Demonstrated experience in implementing global projects involving a range of partners, to deadlines. Proven experience in representational roles in inter-agency collaborations with respect to chemical safety and related fields.
Desirable: Experience working in a WHO office or in another international organization and/or UN agency.

Skills

Expert technical knowledge of the health impacts of chemicals and interventions to address them. Ability to collect, synthesize and analyse scientific and policy information and data, identify issues and formulate opinions, and make conclusions and recommendations on chemical safety issues.Strong project management skills, with high-level planning and execution to deadlines to effectively lead and carry out the work described. Excellent spoken and written communication skills, including ability to write and speak in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual, evidence-based information to different audiences, including policy makers, scientists and the general public.Ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with partners and stakeholders, within and outside WHO, in multi-cultural and multi-sectoral settings.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable:

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 74,913 (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 5181 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.

---