OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development and implementation at national, regional, and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centered, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights, and gender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health, and social care services. To do so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology.

The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii)setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options;(v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020-2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens’ expectations about health.

WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavor; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. Mental health was prioritized in the European Programme of Work 2020-2025 as a flagship programme followed by launch of the Pan-European Mental Health Coalition in 2021 to mobilize national leaders, professionals, members of civil society, representatives of international organizations and experts for collaboration and mainstreaming mental health in global agenda, integrating mental health into emergency response and recovery efforts, strengthening mental health systems and services as well as promotion of mental health across the life course. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the context of the WHO Country Office, the incumbent will contribute to country programmes to scale up prevention and treatment of mental, neurological, substance use disorders and support the promotion of mental health with particular focus on affected population.
Under the overall guidance of the WHO representative, the incumbent will:

Key duties

1. Contribute to the assessment of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs, resources and capacities within the country and planning and implementing response to the needs identified.

2. Assist in planning, introducing, development, monitoring and evaluation of mental health services in both specialized and non-specialized settings.

3. Promote an inter-sectoral, multi-layered and coordinated approach in the area of MHPSS and promote “do no harm” principles.

4. Work with counterparts in the Ministry of Health, National Coordination Center for Mental Health and other national and local entities/institutions to improve the capacity in the MHPSS response and strengthening mental health system and services.

5. Provide technical support to partner civil society organizations and other entities, on MHPSS activities.

6. Prepare technical briefing notes, reports, information products and content on mental health topics.

7. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor’s level) in Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Project Management, Medicine, Public Health, or related field.
Desirable: Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Project Management or related field. Specialized training or certification in (a) public health (b) clinical psychology or psychiatry and/or (c) MHPSS in emergency and humanitarian crises(d) mental health project management.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of relevant experience working in the area of Mental health, social work, public health, , MHPSS or related field.
Desirable: Experience working in the area of humanitarian and/or emergency response and recovery context. Demonstrated experience in planning and coordination of mental health projects and programme implementation in both humanitarian and development context. Experience working in WHO, other UN agencies, international on-governmental organizations or recognized humanitarian organizations.

Skills

Technical skills and knowledge in the area of mental health, MHPSS, capacity building and mental health project management.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of key WHO policies, documents and guidance materials on MHPSS and mental health system and services, as well as situation with human rights in the area of mental health.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the country context and developments with regards to mental health and related areas such as coordination of emergency response, non-communicable diseases, substance use disorders, human rights, with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies.
Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Bulgarian.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at BGN 61,411 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.
• 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.
  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.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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• 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.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
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