Technical Officer (Education and Capacity Development)

Contract

This is a NO-B contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about NO-B contracts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii)setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options;(v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work2020-2025 -“United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens' expectations about health.

WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

The WHO Azerbaijan Country Office, through USAID Azerbaijan Pandemic Response Activity, is implementing a project with three objectives, each with specific outcomes and outputs. Objective 1 focuses on improving emergency care systems and preparedness in selected regions. The expected outcomes include developing and adopting standards, protocols, and procedures for emergency care, training programs for the health workforce, and providing high-quality emergency care services. Objective 2 aims to build a sustainable and evidence-based infection prevention and control program at national and healthcare institutions. The expected outcomes include the establishment of national and hospital IPC committees, the development and implementation of IPC standards, guidelines, procedures, and training programs, the establishment of a surveillance and feedback system, and the practicing quality improvement systems for infection prevention and control. Objective 3 aims to support the Azerbaijan government's efforts to improve the public health policy framework, strengthen public health institutions, and upskill the public health competencies of the health workforce. The expected outcomes include the improvement of the public health policy framework, strengthening the foundational capacities of state bodies in essential public health areas, and upskilling the public health competencies of the health workforce. All objectives have a health profession education theme. Each objective has technical leads, project officers, communication, admin teams, consultants, and UNVs to implement the Project over two years and comply with the project work plan.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the USAID-funded Azerbaijan Pandemic Response Activity Project, the purpose of the position will be to support, coordinate and monitor the implementation of education and training activities aimed at strengthening the emergency care system (ECS), building a sustainable, evidence-based infection prevention and control (IPC) program, protocols, and procedures, support the Azerbaijan Government's effort to strengthen the public health institutions and upskill the ECS, IPC and public health competencies of the health workforce.

Key duties

Under the comprehensive guidance of the Project Manager and Technical Officer, the incumbent will utilize a range of essential skills in health professions education, IPC, and public health. Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting the project management team in planning (developing a training delivery, monitoring, and evaluation plan comprising venues, trainers, trainees, materials, and other logistical elements, including alignment with learning management systems), implementing (programs, trainers, and training centers) educational and training initiatives, as well as and monitoring evaluating (collecting data in line with guidelines and preparing preliminary evaluation reports) their outcomes.
• Collaborating with counterparts and partners to prepare work plans, deliver milestones, and meet project objectives and targets within specified deadlines.
• Aiding in the development, update, and adaptation of guidelines, training materials, and tools, as well as conducting training needs assessments.
• Contributing to the organization of project training events and the development and update of advocacy and training materials in collaboration with relevant partners and ministries.
• Drafting progress reports and technical documents in accordance with project requirements and within established deadlines.
• Offering technical support to national task forces for project activity coordination at the country level, ensuring effective collaboration among related institutions, local authorities, and NGOs.
• Facilitating joint actions with relevant ministries and agencies, such as working groups, roundtables, and meetings, to advance priority program areas at national and local levels.
• Assisting in organizing meetings with project partners and NGOs on a regular basis, as well as visibility and media events, when necessary, to raise national awareness.
• Coordinating advocacy and communication efforts in line with the project's communication and visibility plan.
• Providing technical and organizational support for study visits during the project's duration, complete with proper documentation and reporting of capacity-building events.
• Supporting the organization of missions for WHO staff and experts, monitoring their recommendations and facilitating follow-ups.
• Undertaking any additional tasks as required by the project manager for the successful execution of the project.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, master or specialization in medical education, infectious diseases, or public health.

Desirable: Advanced university degree (Master's level) in any of the aforementioned subjects. Specific certificate in training trainers.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience at national level, working on capacity-building and training components for infection prevention and control, public health, or emergency care projects. Demonstrated experience collaborating with stakeholders, such as national policymakers, NGOs, health authorities, international organizations, or similar entities.

Desirable: Proven experience in planning and implementing health-related projects or programs. Established connections with local health authorities or groups of interest for the WHO and academic teaching experience would be valuable assets.

Skills

• Authoritative and comprehensive knowledge of the theory, principles, methods, and techniques in infectious diseases, public health or emergency medicine.
• Excellent teaching and training skills to students, residents, health workers and faculty staff members.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to review and synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and report-writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations and lead and direct multidisciplinary staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work across cultures and with the capacity to build strong working relationships.
• Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Azerbaijani. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, German.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at AZN 66,692 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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 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.
• 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 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.
• 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].
• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
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