Regional Adviser (Air Pollution, Environment & Chem. Safety)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall goal of the programme is to reduce the burden of disease related to environmental health, air pollution, chemical safety & risk management, mercury & lead management and poison management, occupational health and workplace safety and develop coping capacity of health sector and communities and reduce health impacts from environmental health and air pollution.

• In collaboration with Member States, international organisations, NGOs and other WHO programmes, to develop, coordinate, implement and monitor the region's environmental health, air pollution, and chemical safety & risk management, mercury & lead management and poison management and occupational health and workplace safety.

• To advise the Regional Director on the priorities and policies in the above programme areas.

• To support national authorities in developing policies, conducting assessments and actions plans for the above-mentioned areas.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall supervision of Director, Healthier Populations and Noncommunicable Diseases (HPN), the incumbent will carry out the following:

1. Formulate the regional programmes, programme budget, implement, monitor and document achievements on environmental health; air pollution; chemical safety & risk management; mercury& lead management; poison management, occupational health and workplace safety;

2. Review national and regional activities in the above programme areas, identify priorities and develop action plans to meet programme objectives;

3. Support Member States in revising/developing policies on environmental health, air pollution, chemicals management, occupational health and workplace safety;

4. Support Member States in assessing health risks from environmental health, air pollution and chemicals and preparing national plans to address the risks;

5. Provide technical support for sustaining improvement in environmental health, air pollution, chemicals management, occupational health and workplace safety by facilitating strategy development, generating evidence, capacity development and advocacy;

6. Ensure the coordination and exchange of information with headquarters, other regional offices, relevant ministers and other organizations;

7. Maintain liaison with, and provide advice to related national agencies, international and bilateral agencies in planning, evaluation and implementation of environmental health, air pollution, chemical safety, occupational health and workplace safety related activities;

8. Assist Director-HPN, WHO Representatives in country offices (WRs) and country focal points on matters relating to the mentioned technical areas;

9. Prepare administrative and technical reports as necessary;

10. Ensure close collaboration and provide inputs to related areas such as health systems, emergencies, and maternal and child health;

11. Facilitate monitoring of SDG targets for climate change, air pollution and chemical safety; and

12. Perform other related duties, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master's level degree in Medical or public health-related field from a recognized university with specialization in environmental health.
Desirable: PhD in public health or areas related to environmental health.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years' experience including considerable experience in an international context, in the implementation and management of environmental health, air pollution, chemical safety and management, occupational health and workplace safety.
Desirable: Minimum five years' experience in environmental health in developing countries.

Skills

• Broad-based knowledge and skills in the protection of the human environment programme areas particularly in environmental health, air pollution and chemical safety.
• Ability to plan, organise, manage and evaluate country needs for promoting national capabilities.
• Excellent drafting skills to produce reports, policies, documents on subject matter(s) and deliver verbal presentations. Proven ability to manage the work of a team requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and ability to integrate the work of the team into the assigned work programme.
• Excellent communication skills to provide expert advice on substantive issues and to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to action plans and WHO's position in the assigned area(s).• Ability to appreciate and adapt the strategies to local conditions
• Ability to demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter; to meet commitments, observe deadlines and achieve results.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills to identify the key issues in a complex situation, and find solutions to problems and take decisions with an eye to the impact on stakeholders and counterparts and on the Organization.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Producing results
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 2762 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.