Technical Assistant

Contract

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

WHO Azerbaijan’s goal is to achieve Health for All, leaving no one behind, driven by a strong focus on Sustainable Development Goals. WHO Azerbaijan supports Government to tackle the public health challenges and improve people’s health and well-being. The aim of WHO is to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage, which means everybody having access to the quality health services they need without experiencing financial difficulty. This is largely possible through a publicly funded, well-equipped, innovative, responsive, and quality primary health care delivery system in the country. WHO Azerbaijan major objectives are: ● Ensuring equal access to quality, health care for all. Leaving no one behind. ● Preparing the country for responding to public health emergencies ● Decreasing premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases, pregnancy related conditions and in children. ● Strengthening the health information system for better monitoring and response to public health challenges.

This UNV assignment is part of Azerbaijan Pandemic Response Activity (APR) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the WHO Country Office in Azerbaijan in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the State Agency for Mandatory Health Insurance (SAMHI), and TABIB. The project focuses on emergency medical care services (ECS), the public health system (PH), Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in health care facilities and health professionals’ education (HPE) in Azerbaijan. In each one of these focus areas, the common framework is to upgrade the relevant policies, upskill the current and future health workforce and result in a sustainable improvement of relevant services

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of National Professional Officer, the National UN Volunteer Specialist will:

1. Provide technical help to the Project Officer preparation of a project work plan in line with the objectives and targets of the project in close coordination with counterparts and partners.
2. Contribute to the organization of project training activities and support the development and update of specific training materials for the project in coordination with relevant partners and ministries.
3. Participate in meetings, activities, and training programs on planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation phases.
4. Take notes at the meetings and prepare technical process reports.
5. Provide technical input for translating medical terms in presentations and training materials.
6. Facilitate small group training processes if requested.
7. Perform all other work-related duties.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

● Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); ● Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. ● Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
● Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. ● Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. ● Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

● Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to WHO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to WHO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; ● Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and WHO in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; ● Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; ● Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. ● Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; ● Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; ● Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; ● Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WHO mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

public health projects. Demonstrated experience working with stakeholders such as national policymakers, NGOs, Health authorities, and international organizations in public health, or similar areas. ● Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; 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. ● Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (PowerPoint, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment ● Have affinity with or interest in public health, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.