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Technical Officer

Geneva

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator (ACT-A) is a ground-breaking global collaboration to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. COVAX is the vaccines pillar of the ACT-A. It is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO. Its aim is to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world. The mRNA vaccine Technology Transfer Hub was established in response to the flagrant inequities in access to COVID-19 vaccines in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa. Formally established in July 2021, the purpose of the hub is to increase access to mRNA vaccines made closer to home by establishing manufacturing capacity using a technology transfer hub model to ensure sustainable vaccine security in future pandemics. The Hub will be an mRNA training facility where the technology is established at an industrial scale and clinical development is performed. Interested manufacturers from low- and middle-income countries can receive training and any necessary licenses to the technology. WHO and partners will bring in the production know-how, quality control and necessary licenses to a single entity to facilitate a broad and rapid technology transfer to multiple recipients around the world.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

  • Support and coordinate the work related to mRNA technology transfer and COVAX in order to ensure effective participation of the Chief Scientist in key events and engagements with critical technical units within WHO and with external partners, including those at the highest level.
  • Systematically research and monitor technical developments, analyze available information/research and provide technical reports on all matters related to COVAX, technology transfer and other prioritized health topics in a relevant and timely manner.
  • Coordinate with the Chief Scientist and technical lead on technology transfer the substantive technical preparation of briefings and consultations attended by the Chief Scientist, including the drafting of keynote speeches, preparation of presentations and production of technical and background materials.
  • Identify new and expand existing partnerships in relation to the above-mentioned initiatives (to COVAX and MRNA technology transfer).
  • Identifying WHO as a convening global body and lead in health programme delivery and connecting global institutions with regional and country partners and colleagues.
  • Liaise with technical counterparts of other WHO Divisions in providing technical expertise and relevant background materials and actively engage with in-house initiatives that are relevant to COVAX and technology transfer (e.g. BioHub, data sharing, genomics, etc..)
  • Support the coordination of global experts technical consultations that are led by the Chief Scientist Office.
  • Perform other work-related duties as required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced degree in medicine, medical science (pharmacy, microbiology, biochemistry, etc) or other human health sciences discipline
Desirable: A PhD degree in medical science (pharmacy, microbiology, biochemistry, etc)

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of national/international progressive experience in Public Health, analyzing health data and reporting for senior-level decision-making, and/or on global development with a health focus. coordinating, strategizing, and researching most complex health topics and strategies and developing reports, speeches, briefings, presentations and communications for prominent level audiences.
Desirable: Experience working in an international context with a country-level focused approach. Experience in working on public health biologicals (e.g. therapeutics or vaccines).

Skills

  • Strong scientific skills and expertise in providing senior-level advice and guidance to senior-level decision-makers.
  • Outstanding managerial, technical, programmatic and knowledge management skills.
  • Demonstrated managerial skills with a proven capacity to coordinate a wide range of stakeholders, working groups and staff in pursuance of global goals and public health initiatives.
  • Experience in translating data, scientific reports and recommendations to well-articulated messages for different target audiences.
  • Excellent knowledge and proven skills in public health and executive support, specifically as applied to high-level meetings and engagements.
  • Effective working relations with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Personal attributes include integrity, tact, and discretion.
  • Ability to anticipate risk/problems and to make proposals to ameliorate these.
  • High level of judgement, responsibility, and initiative.

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.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Other UN languages.

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 5150 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.
  • 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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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