Technical Officer (Climate Change Adaptation and Health)

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 130,178 USD and 167,838 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 Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health (CDE) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of communicable diseases and addresses 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, behavioural insights; 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 European Centre for Environment and Health (ECEH) in Bonn, Germany, provides technical and scientific expertise on the impacts of environment on health. It delivers to countries policy advice, tools to inform and support decision-making in the areas of air quality, access to safe drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene, minimizing the adverse effects of chemicals, adaptation to and mitigation of climate change, environmental sustainability of health systems, urban health planning, including transport and mobility work, as well as violence and road traffic injury prevention. WHO ECEH works with all units to develop collaborative initiatives addressing environment-related diseases. It strengthens country capacities to address environment and health challenges through development and delivery of a range of training courses on environment and health, including on health impact assessment.

The Programme on Water and Climate (WAC) addresses the health-related aspects of climate change, as well as of water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH). WAC provides the secretariat function to the Protocol on Water and Health, jointly with UNECE. It also provides the secretariat for the Working Group on Health in Climate Change (HIC), a working group established by the European Environment and Health Process (EHP), to facilitate dialogue and cooperation among Member States in the WHO European Region to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change. WAC works with Member States to support the development of climate change health adaptation strategies and plans, and to develop and improve WASH regulations, management and surveillance approaches. The Programme supports regional implementation of the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions in the areas of climate change and WASH, the achievement of goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the commitments taken by Member States in the Declaration of the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health. The Programme also supports the response health emergencies related to climate-induced extreme weather events and outbreaks of water-related disease.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide coordination at the multi-country and national levels in the area of climate change adaptation and health through promoting health sector leadership and multi-stakeholder coordination. To prepare policy-oriented syntheses of the scientific evidence of health effects of climate change and extreme weather events, and the effectiveness of policies and solutions to reduce these effects; to build capacities of Member States in the WHO European Region towards strengthening their public health response and health system and community resilience to climate change. To coordinate integration of climate change considerations across health programmes in the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Key duties

Under the supervision and guidance from Programme Manager WAC, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities and achieve the following objectives:

1. Provide technical support to and capacity development in Member States in assessing health risks of climate change, developing health adaptation policies and national action plans, and adopting approaches to strengthen climate-resilience of health systems;
2. Contribute to the collation and synthesis of evidence related to health risks of climate change in the WHO European Region and the effectiveness of policies and adaptation interventions;
3. Assist Member States in implementing the climate change and health commitments made in the Declaration of the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health;
4. Coordinate transatlantic cooperation on climate change and health among the Regional Offices for Europe and for the Americas, including facilitation of policy dialogs and the preparation of joint thematic policy briefs;
5. Coordinate WHO’s support to the EHP Partnership for Health Sector Climate Action in close liaison with Partnership leads and members, and support implementation of the Partnership’s work programme;
6. Provide regional liaison and coordination of engagement of the Regional Office in global processes, including the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) and the Conferences of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);
7. Provide secretariat functions to the Working Group on Health in Climate Change (HIC) in close liaison with national focal points and international partners;
8. Promote and support inter-programmatic coordination in the Regional Office towards integrating climate change considerations with other health programmes, including, but not limited to, health systems, emergency preparedness and response, water and sanitation, urban planning, infectious and vector-bone disease, noncommunicable disease and mental health programmes, as well as with the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and the WHO European Regions for Health Network;
9. Provide technical support and advice in the response to, and investigation of, health emergencies related to climate-induced extreme weather and slow onset events, within WHO’s emergency preparedness and response frameworks;
10. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with United Nations agencies (including United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)), the European Commission, donor countries and academia and co-create project proposals as appropriate;
11. Participate in the mobilization of resources to support the implementation of activities in environment and health with focus on climate change adaptation and health;
12. Coordinate the work with WHO collaborating centres in the area of climate change and health, and initiate and maintain collaboration with relevant external partners;
13. Undertake related duties as required, including, but not limited to, representing WHO at technical meetings related to the above tasks, preparing briefing notes and talking points for management, acting for other WHO staff members when necessary to facilitate continuity of work.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Educational qualifications

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in environmental science or engineering, public health, epidemiology or other relevant recognized health and natural sciences related degree. Desirable: Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) with specialization in climate change and health.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of combined national and/or international work experience in the area of climate change and health, and/or in environment and health. Proven experience in analysis, development and implementation of policy and regulatory documents in the field of climate change and health and/or environmental health, and in providing technical and policy advice and implementation at country level. Demonstrated experience with organizing technical expert meetings, drafting of technical documents, briefings and speaking notes, and communications and advocacy.

Desirable: Relevant work experience in environmental health within WHO and/or the United Nations system and/or other international entities.

WHO Competencies

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

Knowledge and skills

• Demonstrated in-depth expertise in the scientific, technical and policy aspects of climate change and health
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant international agreements, initiatives and processes in the area of climate change and health, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
• Demonstrated knowledge of WHO policies in environment and health, including relevant WHA and Regional Committee resolutions, as well as regional platforms and processes, such as the European Environment and Health Process;
• Demonstrated knowledge of WHO work, guidelines, policies and initiatives in the area of climate change and health, including the Alliance for Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH);
• Demonstrated ability to work with internal and external partners in an effective and competent manner and with due regard for cultural diversity;
• Recognized skills in setting priorities, in communication, and in designing, developing, implementing and coordinating/managing projects;
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge and expertise openly and freely, providing guidance, coaching and advice on technical areas;
• Proficiency in the use of standard office software and databases.
• Emotional intelligence, the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of the English language. Desirable: Working knowledge of French, Russian, 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 77,326 (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 2487 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 TA positions at the same grade level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• 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.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
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