Head of Office

Contract

This is a P-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about P-6 contracts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Programmes (CHP) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases and address the social, economic and environmental determinants of health, and promotes policies and actions for health through stewardship of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. It focuses on health promotion measures; prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, and risks related to tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and the harmful use of alcohol; communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases; elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and advocacy for increased use of vaccines; containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance; addressing existing and emerging environmental health risks, and supporting violence and injury prevention. A determination to ensure universal access to people-centred quality health services across the continuum of care is matched by enriching the evidence base for policy design and interventions using social, cultural and behavioural approaches, to drive implementation of innovation at national, regional and local levels.

The WHO/Europe Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases approach will foster the achievement of NCD-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals in the WHO European Region countries through fostering innovations and strengthening national capacities, governance, multisectoral action, and partnerships in reducing major risk factors, orienting health systems towards people-centered health care and universal health coverage and ensuring access to quality NCD services across the care continuum. The “NCD Project” Office, an integral part of Country Health Program Division of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, contributes to WHO/Europe's Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases approach through excellence in NCD surveillance, modelling and policy monitoring, implementation research and innovations, including digitalization and big-data approaches to addressing NCDs trends and determinants. The “NCD Office” provides policy and strategic directions and technical support to countries in developing and strengthening tobacco control programmes and intensifying support for WHO FCTC implementation, interventions to reduce alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, through regulation and policy change, alongside traditional and innovative efforts to change behaviour. It provides specialized support to countries in the development of NCD investment cases, implementation of the “best buys”, the empowerment of individuals, including for better health literacy and capacity-building through regional and country specific NCD flagship courses.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide managerial oversight and scientific leadership to the development and implementation of activities of the NCD Office within the limits of the authority delegated by the Divisional Director. In addition, the incumbent contributes to overall efforts to manage the noncommunicable diseases work including material, human and financial resources. Ensure effective supervision of the work and quality of technical support to Member States. The incumbent contributes towards building a strong identity, internal and external visibility of the NCD Office as centre of excellence in NCD prevention and control within the European Region.

Key duties:

1. Providing strategic leadership and visibility for the work of the NCD Office seeking out innovative opportunities, guiding the publications of the Office, leading the NCD Office's interactions with Member States, donors, and stakeholders, and acting as role model for scientific and diplomatic work.

2. Conducting the general management of the NCD Office including development of NCD Office strategy in line with the EPW - European Program of Work implementation, and reporting on biennial work plans, partnerships and communication strategy, and the management of budgetary and human resources, ensuring that all aspects of the NCD Office work are at the highest standards and in accordance with WHO rules and procedures.

3. Building further a strong identity, internal and external visibility of the NCD Office as centre of excellence in NCD prevention and control within the European Region.

4. Ensuring optimal coordination with the host country, including maintaining constant liaison and communication, continuous interaction with the main scientific institutions, and ensuring timely reporting and evaluation;

5. Managing the secretariat of a high-level NCD Advisory Council for the Regional Office;

6. Contributing to the development of internal and external partnerships including transversal cooperation with programmes/units and with WHO Country Offices as well as to enhancing and facilitating partnerships with regional and sub-regional stakeholder relevant organizations.

7. Ensuring technical quality and competence in the work of the NCD Office and to be responsible for the overall timeliness and quality of all programme deliverables of both country and intercountry work plans;

8. Contributing to regional plans to implement global and regional strategies in the surveillance, prevention, and control of NCDs, documenting gaps therein for the definition of the research agenda on the subject matter;

9. Ensuring consistency and cohesiveness in the surveillance, prevention, and control of NCDs with the WHO guidelines, approaches, and messages, contributing to the WHO normative function;

10. Coordinating international activities of the NCD Office with relevant UN agencies, organizations and partners in the technical area;

11. Producing authoritative and relevant policy papers and briefs on the subject matter,

12. Other tasks as requested by the Divisional Director and Regional Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Master's level) in Medicine, Health Sciences or Non-Communicable Diseases. Desirable: Additional university degree in any of the above fields and /or training in prevention and control of NCDs.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of professional experience in the area of non-communicable diseases, of which, at least 5 years at the international level attaining senior managerial position(s). Proven track record of implementation of health programmes and / or reforms or institutional restructuring. Documented scientific or policy development in the area of prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and/or public health policy. Desirable: Relevant experience working with(in) WHO, UN organizations/agencies, international institutions or NGOs. Demonstrated experience working in the field of international relations, strategic planning, managing change and team building.

Skills

1. Strong leadership and organizational skills

2. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with all stakeholders, both internal and external, including diplomacy, tact, empathy and an ability to deal with and communicate effectively with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders, and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

3. Excellent oral, written and presentational communication skills.

4. Excellent skills in working across programmes and Divisions; with national counterparts and other relevant agencies and stakeholders. Competent in translating evidence into actionable policies options. Experience of leading teams and projects under disruptive circumstances and using agile tools.

5. Demonstrated knowledge of the WHO European Region political context and public health settings.

6. Demonstrated emotional awareness: ability to identify and harness one's emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one's own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

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. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian or German.

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 102,715 (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 3681 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

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

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.