Regional Adviser (Antimicrobial Resistance Control)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of AMR programme is to strengthen AMR containing capacity of SEAR Member States. Recognizing the importance of AMR, SEAR Regional Director declared it as one of the flagship projects. For the last several years, WHO has been strongly advocating for greater and focused attention and actions against the growing problem of AMR.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of Director, Programme Management and under the direct supervision of the Director, Communicable Diseases, the incumbent will:

A. Core responsibilities in assisting Member States in relation to AMR:

• Dialogue with and advice to policymakers on national plans and policies;
• Develop and implement innovative approaches, adapted to regional/country needs, in the prevention, control and management of AMR;
• Technical assistance with the development of mechanisms, instruments and tools;
• Estimation of the required resources and knowledge to build understanding and capacity for improving and assessing the prevention, control and management of AMR;
• Mobilize legal and regulatory powers to attain health system goals; recommending that the health system is designed to adapt to changing needs and exerting influence across sectors other than health and advocating for better health;
• Advocacy, knowledge transmission and advice for the enhancement of the capacities and skills of health ministries in carrying out their AMR function.

B. Intellectual and technical leadership and guidance:

• WHO SEARO technical content expert and focal point for the prevention, control and management of AMR in line with the five strategic objectives of the AMR global action plan and related activities;
• Ensure technical quality and competence in the AMR programme, responsible for the overall timeliness and quality of all programme deliverables;
• Develop regional plans to implement global and regional strategies for AMR, documenting gaps for the definition of the research agenda;
• Ensure consistency with WHO guidelines, approaches, and messages;
• Coordinate international and regional activities with relevant organizations and partners and building and maintaining strong partnerships with UN institutions, civil society partners and other institutions;
• Manage and synthesize related knowledge to build the evidence base for dissemination to Member States;
• Produce policy papers, briefs and other publications on the prevention, control and management of AMR;
• Document various policy options applicable to AMR in terms of their implications and their impact.

C. As a Regional Programme Manager:

• Provide managerial oversight to the work of all AMR programme/project staff in regional and country offices;
• Monitor budgetary obligations and liquidations of regional and country work plans, and mobilize extra-budgetary resources to meet programme needs at regional and country levels for implementation of planned products/services;
• In coordination with AMR working group, to be responsible for the allocation of resources in country and regional workplans;
• Perform the general management of the programme staff, including technical programme staff outside the Regional Office;
• Regularly monitor and assess the performance of the programme.
• Advise Director and WHO Country Offices on recruitment of different categories of staff as well as capacity building of Member States in synergizing/integrating the health sector response to prevent, control and manage AMR.

D. Any other duties, as may be assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in medicine; Post Graduate degree in public health and/or infectious disease epidemiology and/or disease surveillance and/or relevant health field from a recognized university.
Desirable: PhD in public health and/or epidemiology will be an advantage.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of working experience with increased responsibilities in infectious disease surveillance and control, including considerable experience obtained in an international organization.
• Experience in the field of infectious disease and AMR, epidemiology, strategy development and management of infectious disease control programmes, project funding and international partnerships.
• Working experience in low resource countries.
• Previous experience with resource mobilization and extensive network of partners.

Desirable: Working experience with the UN system, in particular with WHO or other relevant international organizations or programmes.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the principle and practices of a wide range of public health issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of AMR capacity-building.
• Management skills and field experience in working through partnerships; and skill in advocacy and in negotiation with donors.
• Ability to plan and carry out programme-oriented operational research on AMR would be an advantage.
• Experience in developing technical reports and documents including in the field of AMR.
• Demonstrable written and verbal communication skills.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• 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 92,731 (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 2511 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion)are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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