Consultant – WHO Taskforce on Workforce Mental Health and Wellbeing

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical support, advise and contribute to the coordination, drafting and implementation of a WHO Workforce Mental Health Plan, in collaboration with the WHO Taskforce on Workforce Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Background

The WHO Taskforce on Workforce Mental Health and Wellbeing was established by the WHO Director-General in 2021. The WHO Taskforce on Workforce Mental Health and Wellbeing works across the three levels of the Organization (headquarters, regional offices and country offices) with multiple internal stakeholders and initiatives to address organizational risk factors to the mental health and wellbeing of the workforce.

Deliverables

• Provide relevant support in the coordination of the three-level WHO workforce mental health taskforce through participation in meetings, activities, projects and reporting to facilitate the implementation of the strategic objectives detailed in the draft WHO UNAIDS workforce mental health plan.
• Prepare drafts of the WHO UNAIDS workforce mental health plan and submit for approval.
• Participate in building partnerships and work closely with other departments, initiatives and offices to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to mental health for the workforce (i.e., Departments or offices of: Respectful workplace, DEI, PRESEAH, Staff Health and Wellbeing, Human Resources and Talent, Ombudsmen, Staff Association, Communications), including agencies in receipt of WHO SHW and Ombudsperson services (UNAIDs, UNITAID, ICC, IARC).
• Contribute to the integration of mental health into related organizational strategies, policies and plans i.e. (those designed to meet the human resource and health needs of the workforce).
• Participate in workforce mental health within agency committees and interagency committees and working groups including but not limited to The UN Mental Health Strategy Implementation Board.
  • Contribute to the implementation of the budget in relation to activities of workforce mental health plan.
  • ​​Facilitate ongoing initiatives of workforce mental health e.g., the development and maintenance of the online platform designed to support workforce mental health, initiatives that increase awareness for mental health including webinars, training requests, workforce mental health data, communications plan.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Master's degree in mental health or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in programme coordination and implementation in relevant field of expertise e.g., workforce mental health care, mental health, occupational health or public health.

Desirable:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience working in humanitarian emergencies.
• Experience with WHO or other UN agencies.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Ability to contribute to the strategic vision for workforce mental health, including excellent skills in coordination and project management.
• Excellent skills in engaging effectively and diplomatically with diverse actors including the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written and presentations) including the ability to defend and explain difficult issues and positions to staff at all levels.
• Very good working knowledge of technology tools such as Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language.

Location

On site: WHO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland.

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B - USD 7,000 – 9,980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

USD 3,000 per month.

Expected duration of contract:

6 months.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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 is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• 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.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html