Project Officer (Economics)

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 116,005 USD and 151,899 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the Tobacco and Reduction of other Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors (TNR) Programme is to provide leadership and guidance in supporting Member States to tackle Tobacco and other Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) risk factors with the goal of reducing the burden of NCDs and improving the health of the populations in the WHO African Region. It does this through the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of multisectoral actions to prevent and reduce tobacco use, the harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Specifically, the TNR Programme builds Member States/country capacity through guidance, facilitation and technical support in: the development of evidence-based policies, legislation, strategies and plans on NCD risk factors; the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of multi-sectoral policies, plans and programmes; and the strengthening of surveillance and monitoring systems to report on global, regional and country targets and trends, including the Global Strategy to Accelerate Tobacco Control, the Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol, the Global Strategy for Diet and Physical Activity, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and related Sustainable Development Goals. The Programme works in collaboration with (a) the RDI Unit, to promote research on tobacco, alcohol, diet and physical activity; (b) the EPG Unit, to foster partnerships, alliances and networks for increased resource mobilization and to exchange information and experiences between countries in the region and beyond; and (c) the NCD programme to implement innovative activities aimed at scaling up the prevention of NCD risk factors and reduce the burden of NCDs in the African region. The goal is to enable countries in the WHO African Region to 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

· Build capacity in various areas of the economics of tobacco to government officials, academia, civil society and WHO country office staff in selected countries in the Region, in accordance with the deliverables of the Project;

· Provide technical assistance on tobacco economics to government officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health from selected countries in the Region, regional and sub-regional intergovernmental organizations including ECOWAS, UEMOA, EAC and CRES;

· Engage with Ministries of Finance, Senior Finance and Tax experts at country level to secure support and adoption of tax policy proposals and proposals for sustainable funding for tobacco control and non-communicable diseases;

· Provide technical expertise in the prevention of the illicit trade in tobacco products and in the process of engagement with Ministries of Finance;

· Provide technical support to Ministries of Agriculture in the adoption of policies to assist tobacco farmers to shift to alternative livelihoods including other agricultural value chains

· Promote partnerships to strengthen South-to-South cooperation in the area of tobacco taxation including health and economic cost studies;

· Develop tools for monitoring of progress in the implementation of tax policies in the regions and for monitoring of illicit trade in tobacco products, providing regular progress reports on tobacco tax-related, technical issues and activities.

· Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First University Degree in Economics or Agricultural Economic Studies.

Desirable: Master’s in economics or Management or training in tobacco control.

Added benefits

Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Economics.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 5 years of experience working in developing countries in the field of economics or agricultural production. Experience in working on tax policies in government or academia at a management level, or tobacco control, in econometrics and the area of tobacco economics.

Desirable:

Relevant experience working with UN agencies, other international organizations, and/or technical networks such as non-governmental or humanitarian organizations in related fields in both developing and developed countries.

Work experiences that are diverse, incorporating private sector (excluding the tobacco industry), NGOs, other UN, or governmental health related agencies will be an advantage.

Skills

Working level of computer literacy with proven ability to use standard office software packages, including eHealth tools.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond
4. Communication
5. Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French with intermediate knowledge of the other.

Desirable:

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), 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 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 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.

· This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.