Junior Tobacco Control Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

In Jordan, around 43 percent of all individuals over age 18 smoked tobacco in 2020, meaning millions of Jordanians are at a substantially increased risk of morbidity and early mortality from cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and many other tobacco-attributable diseases. Studies conducted in Jordan have shown that tobacco use is responsible for 9,027 deaths per year, and 56 percent of these tobacco-related deaths occur under the age of 70. In addition, around 80% Jordanians are at risk from exposure to secondhand smoke. Alongside the cost to health, tobacco imposes a substantial economic burden. In 2012, worldwide, healthcare expenditures to treat diseases and injuries caused by tobacco totaled nearly six percent of global health expenditures. Furthermore, tobacco use can reduce productivity by permanently or temporarily removing individuals from the workforce due to poor health. When individuals die prematurely, the labor output that they would have produced in their remaining years is lost. In addition, individuals with poor health are more likely to miss days of work (absenteeism) and, when they are at work, to operate at a reduced capacity (presenteeism, workplace smoking).

In 2015, tobacco use in Jordan accounted for JOD 1.6 billion in economic losses and causes substantial human development losses. The investment case study showed that there is an opportunity to reduce the social and economic burden of tobacco in Jordan. Enacting the recommended multisectoral tobacco control provisions would save over 3,100 lives each year and reduce the incidence of disease, leading to savings from averted medical costs and averted productivity losses. In economic terms, these benefits are substantial, adding up to JOD 6.5 billion over the next fifteen years. Further, the economic benefits of strengthening tobacco control measures in Jordan and implementing new ones greatly outweigh the costs of implementing them over 15 years (JOD 6.5 billion in benefits versus JOD 26.4 million in costs). By investing now in tobacco control measures, Jordan would reduce tobacco consumption, improve health, reduce government health expenditures and grow the economy. It would also reduce financial hardship among Jordanian citizens, particularly among those with low incomes. The investment case identified strong tobacco control investments that Jordan can take. It offers compelling economic and social arguments to implement core WHO FCTC measures.

The WHO aims to empower the active civil society Anti-Tobacco organizations to play a larger role in forming public opinions, establishing pressure groups and alliances for combating tobacco consumption and accelerating efforts to implement core Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) measures (namely in the non-price measures to reduce the demand for tobacco): 1. Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke; 2. Regulation of the contents of tobacco products; 3. Regulation of tobacco product disclosures; 4. Packaging and labelling of tobacco products; 5. Education, communication, training and public awareness; 6. Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and, 7. Demand reduction measures concerning tobacco dependence and cessation.

National UN Volunteers in Jordan are entitled to: - Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of JOD JOD 854.8 ; - Annual and learning leaves; - Free Medical and life insurance; and - Free access to different learning platforms.

Under the direct supervision of Communication Officer, the UN Volunteer will:

1. Supporting Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community Engagement: 1.1. Follow up with NGOs and civil society organizations in relation to tobacco control and the areas of commitment identified by each entity; 1.2. Track the achievement of each NGO based on the identified commitments and identify areas where the WHO can support them; 1.3. Set up regular meetings with NGOs to assist them in achieving their short-term and long-term plans for tobacco control; 1.4. Coordinate and facilitate the communication between different partners in the area of tobacco control including Ministry of Health (MOH), Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), and NGOs; 1.5. Identify areas of collaboration between NGOs and communicate events organized by each NGO to other NGOs that can provide support in the event; 1.6. Assist the WHO Communications teams in the dissemination of messages about Tobacco Control through social media focusing on youth and e-cigarettes; 1.7. Work with NGOs to disseminate tobacco control messages through social media; 1.8. Assist the WHO Tobacco Control team in setting up for World No Tobacco Day.

2. National Strategy and Action Plan: 2.1. Collaborate with the WHO tobacco control team, NGOs, and national stakeholders to finalize the tobacco control strategy and action plan; 2.2. Compile the action plans for each NGO and consolidate them into one document.

3. Assist in capacity-building trainings: 3.1. identify the training needed for each NGO represented in the NGO retreat; 3.2. identify the training needed for MOH and GAM; 3.3. Assist the WHO Tobacco Control team in conducting training based on the FCTC and its guidelines to national stakeholders and NGOs.

4. Assist in a database for tobacco control: 4.1. Communicate with the NGOs to identify one that could create a shared folder for the NGOs to access and share information; 4.2. Collaborate with the identified NGO and the WHO Tobacco Control team in identifying the necessary essential documents that need to be included in the shared folder.

5. Support WHO Tobacco Control Team: 5.1. Support the WHO Tobacco Control Team in their work on tobacco control.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences • Self-management • Teamwork

at the national and/or international level in Tobacco Control, Public Health, or Community Engagement or other relevant programmes; experience with Tobacco Control is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills in Arabic and English; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in Tobacco Control or Health, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Amman, the capital, is a peaceful city with over four million residents. People are friendly to visitors. Services in terms of banking, transportation, health and communications are easily available. Though Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken among the majority of the population, especially in Amman. Road network is good both in terms of spread and quality of the roads. Public transportation in Amman is limited. Taxis are relatively cheap and easily available. There are a number of shopping malls, restaurants, gyms, and cinemas. A large variety of accommodation options can be found; however, it is worth noting that prices in Amman have generally increased in the past few years. There are no specific security threats. Amman is a very easy city in which to live; large, many amenities, very modern and serviced by an international airport with direct flights to most capital cities. According to the assessment of the UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) Jordan is a family duty station (category A hardship).

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the insurance plan.