Technical Officer (Health Literacy)

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 134,294 USD and 175,847 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 Country Health Programmes (CHP) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases and address 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; prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, and risks related to tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and the harmful use of alcohol; 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.With the Insights unit flagship initiative, the Regional Office intends to invest in new insights that can help to build a culture of health in which everyone is enabled to make healthy choices, in their daily lives and in the way they use health services. The initiative will promote the use of insights into these social, behavioural and cultural factors to improve health literacy, as well as the design, procedures and provider behaviour at the interface between citizens and their health and social care services. It will foster new scientific understanding on how these factors and the design of policies and service delivery processes interact to assist countries in optimizing uptake of services, adherence to treatment, self-care, and individual and collective ways of living (including in view of the social adaptations required in response to the COVID-19 crisis). By engaging disciplines beyond the bio-medical sphere, including the social sciences and the medical humanities, this initiative will help health authorities improve the way their services respond to their citizens' expectations for respectful and people-centred care.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the context of the European Programme of Work, the purpose of the post is to coordinate health literacy and behavioural and cultural insights-related work at regional level and in close collaboration with Member States. The aim of this work is to explore, document and disseminate the value of this work in improving health access, in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours and a culture of health and in equitably extending the benefits of health services, prevention and treatment. This includes project coordination, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in close contact with country focal points, researchers and partners. In addition, the post involves liaising with multiple stakeholders and partners at national, regional and global levels.

Key duties:

1. Work with Member States and WHO Country Offices to plan and implement in-country and inter-country behavioural and cultural insights research and projects, including related to health literacy, which aim to strengthen the experience and expertise in Member States to identify barriers and drivers to healthy practices and to leverage such insights for effective health policies and programmes and document their impact. This involves providing technical support, and coordinating the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and documentation of projects in collaboration with Member States, WHO colleagues and partners.

2. Help build capacity in Member States through engagement as a planner and facilitators in workshops and training activities conducted by the BIF.

3. Help with developing guidance documents, policy recommendations, evidence mappings, case studies and toolkits, drawing on behavioural and cultural insights, not limited to but with a particular focus on health literacy.

4. With the aim to build even stronger and more coordinated effort among stakeholders in this field, liaise and build partnerships with international organizations, development agencies, civil society organizations, WHO Collaborating Centres and other academic institutions, private sector and public health institutes as well as with WHO at all levels and in all regions.

5. Promote the use of behavioural and cultural insights methods and approaches, including with a focus on health literacy, through advocacy with peers in Member States and among partners, through representing WHO at conferences, scientific meetings and other events, and through contributing to the promotion, dissemination and communication of BIF work and new evidence.

6. Contribute to the WHO emergency effort through applying behavioural and cultural insights methods in health emergency response and preparedness work.

7. Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) within the fields of humanities, public health, or social science, i.e. psychology, anthropology, sociology, international development, or another relevant field. Desirable: University degree (Master's level) or training in any of the above fields.

Experience

Essential: At least five years' experience working in fields relevant to behavioural and cultural insights, health literacy and/or public health at national or international levels. Desirable: Demonstrated experience working with(in) WHO, the UN at national, regional and/or global level, or in multi and/or bilateral agencies active in the health sector. Experience working in/with national health ministry or agency.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of applying social science and behavioural and cultural insights methods and approaches, including health literacy. Demonstrated knowledge of health systems and contexts of countries in the WHO European Region. Ability to take responsibility for own work, handle problems effectively and deliver high quality results. Excellent interpersonal communication, written communication and presentation skills. Ability and willingness to work in a team with other professionals of different nationalities and cultures, to support and encourage colleagues and to stay positive in the face of challenges. 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 Knowing and managing yourself Producing results

Use of Language Skills

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

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 62,120 (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 3598 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 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.