OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The incumbent will manage the communicable and noncommunicable diseases programme in the country, while maintaining a multi-sectoral overview, and will ensure the availability of technical expertise to advise the government on integrated programmes and initiatives to strengthen the country’s capacity building in investigation, surveillance, and control. The incumbent will promote and strengthen programme activities within an assigned area of responsibility, consult with national counterparts on programme needs, and perform related managerial tasks as required. The position contributes to the WHO’s country cooperation strategy in communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.
● Work under the direct supervision of the respective (Senior) public health officer and/or the head of the WHO country office.
● Facilitate the efficient and effective management, as well as coordination of expertise, to provide technical advice on the development of sustainable, multi-sectoral, and integrated national strategies, policies, interventions, and plans for improvements in health systems and capacity building in the area of communicable and non-communicable disease control.
● Recommend action plans for the inclusion of disease prevention and control interventions across the life course and continuum of care.
● Coordinate the adoption of norms, standards, guidelines and tools to support the implementation of disease control projects.
● Manage the operational aspects of related operational research, surveillance, epidemiology, and health surveys.
● Facilitate the implementation of projects for the control of the respective diseases, including setting annual priorities, key performance targets, monitoring and evaluation of the work plans, budgets, and team performance.
● Guide the documenting and dissemination of best practices and partners’ experiences.
● Analyse and evaluate a diverse range of data and information related to communicable and non-communicable diseases and outbreaks; identify disease sources and provide recommendations and reports on the appropriate response to identified risks, and the implementation of preventative and control measures.
● Monitor the national burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases or factors, especially through health information systems and health research activities. Coordinate the development or enhancement of existing information systems on communicable and noncommunicable diseases and the monitoring of progress towards universal health coverage (UHC).
● Serve as technical communication focal point with the public on communicable diseases in the country; and establish new community outreach activities concerning the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of communicable and noncommunicable disease.
● Facilitate and ensure the procurement of safe, efficacious and affordable medicines and technologies.
● Advocate, build and strengthen partnerships and networks to enhance multi-sectoral collaboration and mobilize resources to address integrated, communicable and noncommunicable disease prevention and control.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, medicine, or statistics.

Desirable: Training or specialization in communicable diseases and noncommunicable diseases.

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/ .

Experience

Essential: At least five years of relevant experience, with proven international exposure, in communicable and noncommunicable diseases, focusing on disease investigation, surveillance and control, as well as developing strategies and action plans for implementing capacity building and disease prevention programmes.

Desirable: Demonstrated professional experience providing technical services to national counterparts, ministries of health, and other partners on communicable disease related issues. Relevant work experience, with WHO and/or UN agencies, health cluster partners, nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations. Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained in an international context.

Skills

● Transmissions, specialized methods of diagnosis, development and treatment of communicable diseases, including HIV infection and other communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
● Technical and programmatic knowledge of the prevention and control of a range of communicable and/or noncommunicable diseases.
● District hospital care, universal health coverage, in-service and pre-service training, essential drugs for noncommunicable diseases, primary health care delivery systems.
● Expertise to strategically plan, coordinate and support the implementation of health programme interventions.
● Knowledge of country situation in relation to communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
● WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related disease control areas, and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
● Health and safety regulations.
● Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
● Developing and promoting collaborative multi-sectoral partnerships and mobilizing resources.
● Ability to provide clear advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of spoken and written 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 64,121, (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station. 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 will be used to fill similar positions in Samoa and other duty stations within the Western Pacific Region.
• 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.
• 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.
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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.
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