Position Title: Reproductive Health Specialist

Position Number: 173979

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Depending on the location of the position, the incumbent will report to the Director of the Health Promotion Programme (or any related Cluster in the region) or the Head of WHO the country office. Within the delegated authority and in collaboration with other specialists at HQs and in other offices the specialist will lead and manage Reproductive Health strengthening programmes and teams in the country(ies) including maintaining good relations with national counterparts, multiple stakeholders from professional agencies to United Nations agencies, from development banks and other donors and funding agencies to establish collaborative and consultative models of policy dialogue and resource mobilization.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic Duties
1. Provide technical and managerial leadership in the area of Maternal, Newborn and Reproductive Health ensuring that the activities in this area are established and carried out efficiently and effectively.
2. Provide technical leadership and policy advice to Member States to advocate for and strengthen the national health systems from development, implementation and monitoring of maternal, newborn and child health interventions in partnership with other collaborating partners.
3. Monitor country- or Region specific developments in respect of the programmatic areas covered, and report these to the regional office/ Headquarters so that these findings can be utilized for strategy development purposes
4. Lead the development of new national strategies and policies through collaboration with the national authorities and recommend health development initiatives in the areas of health systems strengthening, partnership building and improvements in the planning and management of existing health systems for reduction of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in the countries.
5. Promote making Pregnancy Safer and behavior change and develop and establish reproductive health policies.
6. Oversee and coordinate work plans and budgets for team activities including resource mobilization for the work programme and ensure the implementation of planned activities.
7. Lead and conduct research on reproductive health across the life cycle research.
8. Coordinate programs for capacity building in the area of Reproductive health and other related areas.
9. Serve as a technical advisor to the public concerning sustainable health systems that contribute to improved maternal, newborn child health and related programmes and services. Respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.
10. Promote and establish a variety of new community outreach activities to facilitate the expansion of current and new health-care networks for improved maternal, newborn and child health systems.
11. Advocate, coordinate, and build partnerships with national counterparts, technical departments at HQ and negotiate with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to Reproductive health systems and resolve issues or concerns and seek funding for new projects and work programmes.
12. Represent WHO at various meetings.
13. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential
Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in a health-related field (medicine, public
health) with a specialization in reproductive health, pediatrics, obstetrics or other related field.
Desirable
PhD level degree in Medicine/Public Health.
Experience
Essential
At least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in reproductive health developing capacity and policies linked to high quality maternal, newborn, and reproductive health care programmes. Within this experience, demonstrated professional experience working at the country and/or regional level providing technical advice and services to national counterparts, Ministries of Health, and other external partners on reproductive health programmes. Experience managing diverse teams.
Desirable

Skills

• Excellent knowledge and expertise of country level situations with regard to reproductive health systems development and management with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Excellent knowledge of Maternal, newborn and child health care systems and safety regulations.
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• Team leadership, team spirit and time management skills.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork;
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
• Communication;

Use of Language Skills

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

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 77,326 (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 2056 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.
  • Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=
    • Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:
    (a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated;
    (b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided;
    (c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.
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