Roster of Zonal Coordinator (Neglected Tropical Diseases)

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

Objectives of the Programme

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving the financial protection against health-related risks.

The Country Office contributes to providing technical support in developing national policies, strategies and activities in the area of health systems strengthening including, (i) advocating for Universal Health Coverage and building up national capacity in UHC-related matters (ii) facilitating the adoption of evidence-based public health interventions as well as appropriate reforms/changes with a view to promote equity and accelerate the movement towards universal health coverage.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India’s population of 1.3 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.3 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage.

In pursuit of the above goals, the Neglected Tropical Diseases network of WCO-India was launched in 2017 to work closely with the Union and State governments to support elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, Kala Azar and Leprosy in India.

NTD support to states include surveillance of the three diseases, planning and monitoring of prevention activities such as mass drug administration, indoor residual spraying, capacity building for activities related to lymphatic filariasis, leprosy and kala azar, drug supply chain management, planning, monitoring and training on transmission assessment surveys, and operational research.

In the context of the 13th General Programme of Work and within the framework of the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (2019-23), the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in:

• Accelerating progress on universal health coverage
• Promoting health and wellness by addressing determinants of health
• Better protect the population against health emergencies
• Enhancing India’s global leadership in health

Description of Duties:

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India, Deputy Head of WHO Country Office for India and Team Leader Communicable Diseases, and day-to-day supervision of the State Coordinator-NTDs, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities for a cluster of districts in her/his assigned area of work:

• To work under guidance of the State NTD Coordinator to support and facilitate districts in the implementation of work towards elimination and control of neglected tropical diseases (Kala-azar, Lymphatic Filariasis, Leprosy, Dengue, Rabies, soil-transmitted Helminthiasis, Snakebite and others) in the state;
• To liaise with and coordinate with the senior district health administration to ensure population and service coverage of preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of various National Health Programmes for NTDs;
• To assist districts in the organization of training programmes and act as a resource person to strengthen the capacity of the district and block level health functionaries in various neglected tropical diseases;
• To participate and assist State Coordinator-NTDs in data quality assessments, coverage supervision tool and coverage evaluation;
• Undertake the strengthening of information systems and health intelligence for decision-making as well as provide technical guidance in evidence generation for various neglected tropical diseases;
• To provide technical guidance to districts in the monitoring, surveillance and pharmacovigilance aspects of select NTDs;
• To work in collaboration with the NPSP offices to ensure the effectiveness in the implementation and management of the NTDs programme; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor(s).

Subject to the agreement of both parties, these Terms of Reference may be modified from time to time, as required in the interest of the Programme.

Required qualification

Education

Essential: University degree in Allopathic Medicine (M.B.B.S) (MCI/State Medical Council registration essential)

Desirable: Post graduation in Community Medicine/preventive & social medicine/public health/ pediatrics/other allied fields.

The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Experience:

Essential: At least one (1) year of public health experience after graduation (post-graduation will be counted as experience)

Desirable: Experience in public health/program management and/or experience of working in the field of Neglected Tropical Diseases or communicable diseases would be an added advantage.

Competencies:

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

Languages: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of local language will be an asset.

Location: The incumbent will be initially stationed at the prospective location. S/he could be posted anywhere in India as per the Project needs.

Remuneration

Monthly remuneration is INR 148,472 taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he could be posted anywhere in India as per the Project needs.

Additional information

• This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and interviews will be used as a form of screening

• 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 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.
• 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• 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.
• Zonal Coordinators are nationals of the country (India) in which they are to serve, are recruited locally and are not subject to assignment to any official station outside the home country. Only Indian Nationals should apply.