OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
WHO supports countries to strengthen their health systems to progress towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC), the essence of which is universal access to a strong and resilient people-centered health system with primary care as its foundation. The overall objective of WHO Division of Universal Health Coverage through the life-course is to provide global policy, programme, and technical and scientific leadership for universal health coverage and primary health care, working in close partnership with WHO regional and country offices and other partners, working towards the goal of an additional one billion people accessing quality UHC without financial hardship.
Within the UHL division, the WHO Global Centre of Traditional Medicine complements the core normative functions of the HQ-based Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative (TCI) Unit, and in collaboration with all WHO regions. The Traditional Medicine Centre will focus on areas of work covering evidence and learning, data and analysis, sustainability and equity, and innovation and technology to optimize the role of traditional medicine towards achieving goals for universal health coverage and sustainable development overall.
Globally, WHO's holistic, integrated work on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine - across HQ, regions, and the Centre - supports Member States to harness the potential contribution of traditional medicines to health, wellness and people-centered health care, to promote the safe and effective use of traditional medicines by regulating, researching and integrating traditional medicines products, practitioners and practice into health systems, where appropriate, promote scientific advances, access and use through innovations and technology, and protect biodiversity and local resources and rights towards equitable and sustainable development.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Generic duties
- Provides technical leadership, coordination and managerial support within the Department/ Programme in the Unit of Evidence and Learning, ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
- Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the availability and strength of evidence on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine for strengthening and improving technical capacity of target clienteles.
- Oversees a unit of technical staff specialized in various domains within their area of expertise and facilitates the efficient flow of team synergies.
- Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient management of a small team of technical staff, financial resources, and effective work planning to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
- Conducts high-level advocacy and policy dialogue and establishes/strengthens partnerships, including with academia, professional associations, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions, for the harmonization and alignment of actors and resources in the formulation and implementation of national action plans, as an integral part of strengthened and resilient national health systems, to improve access to evidence and learning to achieve the programme objectives in line with the mission of the Organization.
- Contributes to resource mobilization for the GCTM Technical Unit of Evidence and Learning including, but not limited to, coordinating the drafting of proposals and proactively participating in resource mobilization campaigns, in collaboration with other relevant technical areas.
- Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for strengthening capacity in the respective area of work.
- Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements including promoting the dissemination of lessons learned and good practices and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables.
- Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies, and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise.
- Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in the traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine evidence and learning to position the technical area of work and implementation into global and/or national policies.
- Represents the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine evidence and learning.
- Performs all other related duties as assigned.
Specific duties
- Identify research needs and priorities and develop research agenda and methodologies for short-, mid- and long-term priorities aligned with WHO target product profiles and other strategic priorities.
- Develop a framework to assess level and strength of evidence of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine.
- Liaise with WHO guidelines process to align guideline needs with evidence generation and analysis in traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine.
- Develop capacity-building learning modules (including strengthening of research capabilities), with WHO Academy and other relevant partners.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential:
- Advanced level university degree (Master's level or above) in traditional, complementary, or integrative medicine, or in public health, including a focus on multidisciplinary research methods and scientific evidence syntheses, as related to the functions of the position.
Desirable:
- A Ph.D. in traditional, complementary, or integrative medicine or in public health.
Experience
Essential:
- At least 10 years of experience in the management of traditional, complementary, or integrative medicine programmes, including experience in research, capacity building and strategies.
- Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
At least 10 publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Desirable:
Working experience in a senior management role on traditional, complementary, or integrative medicine, or public health programmes, at international, regional, or global level and demonstrated management ability on large and multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural projects.
Skills
Concrete and proven skills in the planning, management and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programme. Strong analytical skills in the technical area with broad, practical knowledge of developing and establishing policies and strategies and their application in countries. Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources. Good skills in mobilizing resources. Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area. Proven leadership capacity combined with interpersonal, presentation, communication skills and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated knowledge in the areas related to health systems and health services, and in the policies, regulations, networks, standards & norms of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicines. Experience with the generation of research data and synthesis of evidence.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French or other WHO official languages.
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 90,664 (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 2697 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.
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