Technical Officer (Mental Health), P-3, Fixed-Term, Suva, Fiji

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 110,481 USD and 144,666 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 Pacific Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) and Health through the Life-Course (PNH) unit provides leadership and action for the promotion of health and the prevention of premature death and disability by addressing key health-related social, environmental, and behavioural risk factors and determinants of relevance to NCDs and the Life-course.

For mental health, the focus is on providing technical support to countries in their efforts to promote mental health and well-being and improve quality of life, to strengthen capacities to support people with mental and behavioural disorders, to develop/revise/enact mental health policy, plan and legislation, to protect human rights of the people with mental disorders, to facilitate the incorporation of mental health knowledge and understanding in general health care and social development; to increase preparedness for mental health and psychosocial support post disaster, to develop, implement and evaluate programmes, research, training on mental and behavioural disorders, to strengthen capacities to manage substance abuse, and to prevent suicide and violence and injury.

The WHO Office in the South Pacific, located in Suva, Fiji, operates under the umbrella of the Regional Office for the Western Pacific, and coordinates the provision of technical support for the countries and areas of the Pacific Islands. WRSP works together with a broad spectrum of partners from all sectors of society.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Management Strategic positioning:

Regional/National workplan: Consolidates the national plans of action through systematic coordination of activities, and monitors the allocation of resources; liaises with partners and stakeholders.

Project/Programme management: Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders in the execution of programme activities, such as situation analysis and surveillance; organizes events, and handles logistics and on-the-ground requirements; when assigned in the Country Office, working closely with the National Government, the incumbent also coordinates the implementation of projects and initiatives across the various WHO programmes, and supports the integration of these efforts to work towards a comprehensive approach to health interventions and the proper handling of cross-cutting issues.

2. Technical capacity: Offers technical input and professional advice in the consolidation and implementation of country programmes.

3. Enabling capacity. networking/fund raising/partnership: Coordinates and provides support to team efforts in mobilizing resources and sourcing funds, and provides related administrative assistance, such as preparing of proposals, reports and materials.

4. Capacity-building: Communicates with and keeps up to date the network of consultants and outside experts; provides day-to-day assistance, such as organizing activities and conducting training for Member States; takes responsibility for professional development so as to maintain and elevate standards of competence and credibility.

5. Advocacy/Communication: Administers advocacy and communication activities, and efficiently delivers the organizational and logistical requisites for these, such as coordinating with stakeholders and organizing events.

Specific roles to be undertaken within this job: Under the supervision of the Team Coordinator and guidance of the HWO, the incumbent performs the following duties:

1. Provides technical support to PICs and areas in the development and implementation of mental health and violence and injury prevention, including substance use and suicide prevention, policies, strategies and plans with some particular focus on vulnerable population groups;

2. Collaborates with Member States to strengthen national technical capacity in developing plans and activities for mental health, violence and injury, including substance use and suicide prevention - this involves collaboration and advice on analysis of specific situations and identifying potential areas for WHO support and monitoring activities; provide technical direction to field staff and consultants.

3. Provides technical support for research, data collection and surveillance of mental and behavioural disorders, psychosocial factors, substance abuse, violence and injury, including suicide;

4. Responsible for the provision and facilitation of other stakeholders for training and capacity-building of mental health workforce in the Pacific;

5. Builds and maintains effective working relationships with government agencies, donors and development partners to coordinate appropriate programmatic and resource mobilization activities;

6. Ensures effective management of human and financial resources under his/her supervision; and

7. Performs other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in mental health, health and/or behavioral science from a recognized university. Desirable: Postgraduate (master's level) qualification in a related field and/or specialization in psychiatric training.

Experience

Essential: Minimum five (5) years' work experience in mental health including but not limited to, public health measures to prevent and control mental health and behavioural disorders; clinical management including exposure at an international level

Desirable: Experience working in Pacific Islands. Experience of managing national mental health programme(s) including experience in implementing WHO's Mental Health Gap Action Programme; training in delivering bio-psychosocial interventions for mental, neurological and substance use disorders; relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies,relevant nongovernmental organizations.Experience in coordinating mental health and psychosocial first aid under the emergency situation with relevant UN agencies, NGOs and development partners.

Skills

• Knowledge of the specific or technical area of public health;
• Ability to develop plans and proposals;
• Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct;
• Ability to demonstrate gender equity and cultural appropriateness in the delivery of services to Member States.

Specific expertise and knowledge required:

• Knowledge of mental health issues, challenges and requirements in limited resource environments, including knowledge on recovery and evidence-based mental health interventions and experience with policy and strategy development processes;
• Knowledge on human rights including international human rights instruments such as Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
• Skills in management of mental and behavioural disorders;
• Skills in analysis, planning, management of public health programmes with mental health specificity; ability to work harmoniously with partner agencies, development partners and country counterparts;
• Strong written and spoken English skills, including report writing and presentation skills.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Expert knowledge of French

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 64,121 (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 2057 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.

• 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• 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 for WHO jobs.

• 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• 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.

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

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

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