Technical Officer – Research & Evaluation

Overview of the programme

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 financial protection against health-related risks.

WHO Country Office for India is supporting the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to strengthen the existing health systems to cater to the growing needs of mental health and substance abuse.

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 1.9 billion people, with India’s population of 1.4 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 1.4 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.

Description of Duties:

The purpose of this position is to provide strategic technical support to National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in the areas of Research & Evaluation including Operations Research, Implementation Science Research, Process Evaluation, Joint Interim Review Mission, Outcome Evaluation, Impact Evaluation etc. At NACO, the incumbent will work with WHO Country Office and Deputy Director General – Strategic Information of NACO, with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India work plans.

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India, Deputy Head of WHO Country Office for India and Team Leader (Communicable Diseases) and direct supervision of National Professional Officer (HIV/Hepatitis Prevention and Surveillance), the incumbent will have the following responsibilities in her/his assigned area of work:

• Provide technical assistance in coordination of activities under Network of Indian Institutes for HIV/AIDS Research (NIIHAR);
• Provide technical support to the NACO team working on Research and Evaluation in implementing all the key activities of National HIV/AIDS Research Plan;
• Provide technical support to reviewing and advice on the research proposals submitted to NACO;
• Assist in monitoring progress in ongoing research studies and progress notes and executive summaries of various research activities for routine reporting, dissemination, action, feedback;
• Work closely with the NACO team working on Research and Evaluation in coordinating programme evaluation component under SR-TISS;
• Provide technical support in organizing meetings including Brown Bag Seminar every month, workshops on operational research and dissemination etc.;
• Coordinate planning meetings of the Technical Resource Group, NACO Ethics Committee and NIIHAR as and when required;
• Develop presentations, technical briefs, briefing notes and project concept notes, study reports as required;
• Contribute to other ongoing activities and projects as suggested by supervisors;
• Participate in regular HHS team meetings, CD team meetings of WHO and meetings/workshops of NACO as suggested by supervisors; and
• Undertake other duties and tasks as assigned by supervisor(s)

Qualification requirements

Education

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in social sciences (Economics/Sociology/Anthropology etc.), medicine or Statistics/Biostatistics.

Desirable: Master’s degree in social sciences (Economics/Sociology/Anthropology etc.), medicine or Statistics/Biostatistics would be an added asset.

Any research degree including MPhil or PhD etc. or postgraduate qualification in community medicine, statistics, public health or epidemiology.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions. The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Experience:

Essential: At least one year research experience, in a government department/public sector undertaking, in a multinational corporation, reputed private organizations or NGOs.

Knowledge of data analysis software like SPSS, STATA etc. would an advantage.

Desirable: Past experience of working in HIV/AIDS programme or projects under government or bilateral/ multilateral agencies in India.

Experience of working with State AIDS Control Society or National AIDS Control Organization or other communicable diseases, having good skills in using different data analysis packages will be an added advantage.

Project management experience, including coordination of activities and reporting.

Competencies:

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

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization. Good knowledge of modern office procedures and practices.
• Ability to analyse data; Ability to speak and write clearly. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports.
• The incumbent should contribute to ensuring high professional, ethical, and institutional standards of the Organization.
• Meet professional conduct expectations, and basic universal norms of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and lawful behaviour. 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.
• Demonstrate due diligence.

Renumeration

Monthly remuneration is INR 148,472 taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) for a period of one year. S/he could be posted anywhere in India as per the needs.

Additional Information

• This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and interviews will be used as a form of screening
• 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 a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• 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.
• Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.