(Updated Closing Date): Head of Centre - WHO Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region

Contract

This is a P-6 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 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about P-6 contracts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

As a centre of technical and scientific excellence, the WHO Centre for Environment and Health in the Western Pacific Region (“the Centre”) based in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, contributes to the development of healthier and safer environments and strengthened community resilience to climate and environmental change for health and health equity for all people of the WHO Western Pacific Region.

The primary function of the Centre is to serve as a knowledge hub for WHO Secretariat to support Member States in articulating policy options. The Centre is administratively under the Director, Programme Management (DPM), but it follows technical supervision from the Director, Healthy Environments and Populations (DHP), the Team Coordinator of the Health and Environment Unit and other policy groups in the Region including the lead secretariat for the Technical Advisory Group/Climate Change and Environment.

While the Centre is to assess existing evidence and turn it into policy options for decision-making, it is not expected to organize research by itself. The Centre may be involved in the development of tools for assessment or monitoring which will generate the information needed for policy options and decisions. the Centre is not involved in providing direct country support.

Therefore, the Centre's objectives are to (1) strengthen the scientific information and evidence for policy-making on existing and emerging climate and environmental determinants of health, including adapting global norms and standards and monitoring trends in the Region; (2) assist in developing policies to protect and promote health and well-being by addressing climate and environmental determinants of health across sectors; and (3) support in developing and strengthening technical capacities and programmes; working with partners and stakeholders, including vulnerable populations, contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goalds (SDGs) and the Western Pacific Regional Framework for Action on Health and Environment on a Changing Planet.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of DPM;

1. Collaborate with Member States, medical and public health professionals, nongovernmental organizations, international partner agencies, WHO country offices, WHO collaborating centres, scientific advisory group and other organizations in developing plans and activities on programmes by assessing regional situations and needs and defining priorities for WHO support;

2. Oversee programmes and projects of the Centre, identifying sources of funding, mobilizing resources, and implementing and evaluating the plans and projects, as relevant to the Western Pacific Regional Framework for Action on Health and Environment on a Changing Planet;

3. Work with internal counterparts to provide support to countries to strengthen policies and technical capacity for climate, environment and health;

4. In close collaboration with other relevant technical units in the Region, provides support in addressing various environmental health risk factors in accordance with WHO resolutions, international conventions and guidelines and provide risk communications assistance to the Government of the Republic of Korea, upon request, in addressing issues relevant to environment and health;

5. Coordinate intersectoral cooperation for effective and efficient management of environmental and occupational health risk factors at the regional level;

6. Provide the necessary guidance to the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Health and Environment;

7. Manage and provide guideline and support in the activities relating to the increase of awareness of health concerns caused by environmental and occupational risk factors in the Region;

8. Undertake related duties as required, including but not limited to:

a. Represent WHO and/or the regional office at technical meetings related to the areas of responsibility;

b. Participate in and support interdivisional and interprogramme coordination and collaboration activities in the Centre; and

c. Act for other regional staff members when necessary to facilitate continuity of work within units in the team.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree with a postgraduate degree (Master's level or above) in public health, epidemiology, environmental health or related fields from a recognized university.

Experience

Essential: At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in public health, of which at least 10 years at the international level and proven track record in implementation of health programmes. Track record in positions that required strong leadership of highly-skilled professional teams in health. Desirable: At least five years of management of a public health team with a track record of fund raising successes and its successful implementation. Documented record of high-level policy, scientific and communication products (e.g. corporate publications, scientific papers, policy briefs, etc.). Experience working within WHO and/or other UN agencies in a senior position is an advantage. Experience working within an academic institution focusing on public health is an advantage. Work in the field of international relations, strategic planning, managing change and team building.

Skills

- Documented experience in implementing health programmes at the national or international level in the development of evidence-based health and/or environment policies;

- A track record of strengthening programmes and mobilizing resources from the bilateral and multilateral donors in the area of health, environment and climate change;

- Excellent skills in written and oral communication;

- Skillful in modern management methods (performance measurement, design and operation of modern management information systems, planning and evaluation, etc.) with a track record of management of teams;

- Knowledge of the WHO and UN system would be an asset, as would experience of working with other multi and bilateral development agencies active in the environment and health sectors; and

- Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of professional and personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Promoting the Organization's Position in Health Leadership Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.

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 102,715 (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 5598 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 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.

• 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.