.
Purpose of the Post
Within the context of the operational plan of each country of assignments and the strategic guidance of the AFRO/UCN/TVDs Programme, the purpose of the position is to provide technical leadership to the work of the Multi-Country Assignment Teams (MCATs) in the identified locations in driving WHO support to assigned countries in strengthening capacities and systems for enhanced coverage of TVDs interventions and impact on the burden of TVDs cases and deaths through strengthened and resilient health systems. WHO technical support and capacity building investments will focus on: Delivery of high-quality, people-centered, and integrated essential packages for the prevention and control of TVDs Leadership for malaria, NTDs and VBDs control, elimination and/or eradication including keeping these TVDs on the radar and driving the agenda through stakeholder meetings, special advocacy days and mass media engagements, and producing and disseminating relevant reports including governing bodies reports and annual malaria, NTDs and VBDs reports; Facilitating use of TVDs WHO technical products through timely and high-quality adoption/adaptation and implementation of WHO Technical Products; Providing evidence-based advice/guidance to achieve TVDs impact, and support the convening and brokering of appropriate solutions through development of systems and capacities for evidence generation and use including operational and implementation researches, programme reviews, and development and implementation of country evidence-based strategic plans; Supporting mobilization/alignment of resources through effective engagement with malaria, NTDs and/or VBDs resource contributors (bilateral and multilateral donors and the Global Fund) and technical and financial accounting for resources including WHO statutory accounting; Institutional(Ministries of Health, national institutions, sub-national levels)capacity-building through institutional capacity needs assessment for malaria, NTDs and VBDs and support for capacity building including trainings/equipment and commodity security at all levels; and Development of country operational partnerships focused on leveraging partnerships to deliver transformational change and significant impact of country programmes, promoting a coherent position on issues related to malaria, NTDs and VBDs, and delivering support through a shared approach by partners.
Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):
The overall objective of the Programme is to provide leadership and ensure action in supporting Member States to improve their access to, and coverage of, quality, essential health services for tropical and vector-borne diseases (TVDs)including malaria, vector-borne diseases (VBDs) and priority Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The Programme achieves this through leading a comprehensive, integrated, multi-sectoral response through strengthened and resilient national health systems and relevant systems in national non-health sectors and priority communities, to ensure whole of society approach to TVDs including delivery of high-quality, people-centred, and integrated essential packages for the prevention and control of TVDs towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the SDGs in the WHO African Region, in collaboration with partners. It engages with regional, economic communities, donors and implementing partners; providing normative guidance to Member States for the development, implementation and monitoring of policies, strategies and plans for addressing TVDs; improving through technical assistance and capacity building the following: epidemic preparedness and elimination of targeted TVDs; systems for disease surveillance, analytics and knowledge translation including at sub-national levels; data generation and utilization of strategic information for effective programme management and service delivery, including shaping the regional, research agenda for the implementation of national policies, strategies, guidelines and plans, and reporting on trends and progress towards national, regional and global TVDs targets. The goal is to enable countries in the WHO African Region ensure evidence-based policies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high-quality, integrated, health services, increase the coverage and quality of effective interventions, and to create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies and interventions.
Organizational Context (Describe the work environment, the role of the individual within the team – team member, specialist, adviser, facilitator, coordinator/manager, representative, expert, authority in the field, etc; available guidelines and degree of independence in decision making, and nature and purpose of contact within and outside the Organization):
Under the direct technical supervision of the WHO Representative (WR) in the host country and UCN Director, in consultation with other WRs sharing in the Multicounty Assignment Teams (MCATs) in the identified locations, the incumbent is an organizational specialist who provides technical guidance, mobilizes and coordinates expertise to advise countries; promotes, implements and facilitates the development and implementation of TVDs component of the WHO Country Support Plan for each assigned country. The incumbent will develop and manage the TVDs component of the technical cooperation programme of the Organization in assigned countries, ensuring harmonization and alignment with the national strategic plans or roadmaps of respective countries of assignment as well as the investment plans and focus of in-country partners. He/she will be guided by the regional implementation frameworks for various global malaria, NTDs and VBDs strategies and roadmaps singly or as may be integrated in the region, and existing regional programme budget for TVDs. Contacts- Under the technical supervision of the hosting WR and UCN Director and in consultation with other WRs and general Functional supervision of the MCATs Coordinator including collaboration with other MCATs, Programmes and Clusters of the Regional Office, WRs, Country offices and Collaborating Centers, as well as ministries of Health, research and teaching institutions, other national health officials, and strategic partners including UN Country teams, donors, Civil Society Organizations, community-based and community-led organizations and NGOs, duties require extensive ongoing contacts, to collaborate, exchange information, promote, and integrate strategies, approaches, plans, and initiatives. Successful attainment of the objectives and expected results involves extensive contacts with officials and TVDs professionals in member states to develop and implement AFRO's work programme in TVDs work area. The Officer leads the review of experiences at country level, with a view to making proposals for improved quality, approaches, and remedial actions, in close association with the TVD Team members, national and regional officials, NGOs, and health professionals. Other contacts include a range of experts, and representatives of multi- and bilateral agencies, academia, intergovernmental organizations, and institutions, to provide and exchange advice and expertise. The incumbent continually collaborates in cross-Cluster work and task teams to achieve organizational results.
Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected):
1. Promote cross-cutting, end-to-end delivery to achieve impact and strengthen health systems for the prevention and control of TVDs at all levels, across the life course and in emergency situations.
2. The incumbent will implement innovative ways of working to facilitate strong collaboration and linkages with Programmes, clusters, and partners (WHO Collaborating Centers, research and teaching institutions, NGOs, regional and sub regional economic entities, etc.) to ensure that appropriate, efficient, and timely support is provided to countries, even during emergencies.
3. Provide leadership for malaria, NTDs and VBDs control, elimination and/or eradication including leadership for a comprehensive triple response to malaria, NTDs and/or VBDs technical/normative response, health systems response, and multi-sectorial response; Support use of WHO technical products through timely and high-quality adoption/adaptation and implementation of WHO Global Public Health Goods;
4. Support provision of evidence-based advice to achieve malaria, NTDs and VBDs impact, and support the convening and brokering of appropriate solutions through development of systems and capacities for evidence generation and use including operational and implementation researches, programme reviews, and development and implementation of country evidence-based strategic plans;
5. Keep malaria, NTDs and VBDs on the radar and driving the agenda through stakeholder meetings, special advocacy days and mass media engagements, and producing and disseminating relevant reports including specific reports to governing bodies and Annual programme reports for malaria, NTDs and VBDs;
6. Support mobilization/alignment of resources through effective engagement with malaria, NTDs and/or VBDs resource contributors (bilateral and multilateral donors and the GF) and technical and financial accounting for resources including WHO statutory accounting.
7. Support institutional capacity-building through institutional capacity needs assessment for Malaria, NTDs and/or VBDs and investment in capacity building including trainings and equipment and commodities support.
8. Support development of country operational partnerships focused on leveraging partnerships to deliver transformational change and significant impact of country programmes, promoting a coherent position on issues related to malaria, NTDs and vector-borne diseases, and delivering support through a shared approach by partners.
9. Perform other related responsibilities, as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.
RECRUITMENT PROFILE
Competencies (Describe the core, management or leadership competencies required - See WHO competency model – list in order of priority, commencing with the most important ones – identify a minimum of three and a maximum of five competencies):
1) Teamwork
2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3) Communication
4) Producing results
5) Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.
Competencies: Management
For all Positions that possess Managerial/Supervisory responsibilities, an additional
mandatory Management Competency is required.
Is this a Supervisory Position? No
Functional Skills and Knowledge (Describe skills and knowledge specific to the post):
Experience working in national health systems in the African Region; Practical knowledge of communicable diseases epidemiology and interventions. Sound knowledge of communicable diseases control especially the control, elimination and/or eradication of malaria, NTDs and/or
VBDs.
Education (Qualifications):
Essential: Medical degree with post-graduate training in Public Health/ Epidemiology.
Desirable: Training in Management of Health Programmes.
Experience:
Essential: A minimum of 7 years of international and national experience in in communicable diseases control at national and/or international level, preferably in Africa; Training in the prevention, control, and elimination/ eradication of communicable diseases.
Desirable: Experience in comprehensive and all of society response to a communicable disease including medical response, strengthening health systems, multi-sectoral action, community participation and public-private partnerships for health action. Work experiences that are diverse, incorporating private sector, NGOs, other UN, or governmental Health related agencies will be an advantage proven track record in writing reports and publications. Experience working in developing countries.
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English and /or 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). 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.
- 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.