Public Health Support Officer (Health Promotion and Determinants)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Special Initiative on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Innovation (SNI) supports Member States in their work to free the WHO European Region from avoidable NCDs. SNI recognizes both the urgency for immediate action as well as the need for a visionary paradigm shift that puts NCDs higher on the political and health agendas for future generations. Therefore, SNI takes a dual-track approach, promoting accelerated progress toward the NCD-related SDG commitments for 2030 (RACE to the Finish) while simultaneously championing the key generational shifts required, to address NCDs within the permacrisis (Vision 2050), and achieve a sustainably healthier European Region. SNI’s commitment is to support Member States to achieve a healthier population and to close the gap in NCDs including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes that persist within countries and across the Region. SNI is also charged with fostering Innovation in Public Health across the whole of the work of WHO in the European Region (not just for NCDs). SNI promotes an approach to innovation that is forward thinking and agile, institutionalizing innovation and adjusting to meet the changing needs of a vast region facing demographic, societal and environmental shifts, emergencies, and rapid technological advances. The work under this area includes supporting an ecosystem of innovators in health, matching innovative solutions with stated public health needs in countries, and pushing the envelope in trending areas such as the application of artificial intelligence to public health.

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 Work 2020–2025 –“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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will support the provision of technical and managerial expertise to develop, strengthen and implement policies and programmes of activities designed to strengthen national, public-health capacity in Universal Health Coverage/Health Promotion and Determinants.This includes those designed to promote health and reduce the burden of preventable disease and injuries driven by environmental, social, and economic determinants of health, including the distribution of risk factors, through interventions in one or more of the following Health Determinants: Environment, Climate Change and Health (ECH), Health Promotion, Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity (HPD), Nutrition and Food Safety (NUT); Tobacco and Reduction of Other Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors (TNR), Violence, Injuries, or Health and Migration (PHM); and Demographic Change and Ageing. Health.

The endeavours target all populations, including refugees and migrants, through a coordinated, intersectoral approach in accordance with the country cooperation strategy that aligns with WHO global and regional commitments.

Key duties:

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:

• Maintain partnerships and networks to strengthen multidisciplinary and multisectoral collaboration to combat communicable and noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors in the country.
• Analyse and undertake research on the public health topics to support the country teams in the development and implementation of multisectoral national plans for the prevention and control of communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
• Technically assist in the monitoring of work plans and budgets, including resources mobilized for the work programme and following up on the implementation of planned activities.
• Technically support the promotion of health in all policies, including for the development of healthy cities, other healthy settings and the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity.
• Analyse information on best practices in public health and health systems and report findings to responsible officer.
• Participate in capacity building in public health systems and the management and financing of the systems.
• Utilize understanding of national and subnational cultural norms to inform community outreach activities concerning the extension of health-care networks.
• Contribute to the drafting of public health reports and act as a focal point to public health topics in the area of work.
• Ensure collaboration, and work with international and national partners to improve surveillance, monitoring and evaluation of noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors.
• Technically assist the ministry of health and its partners in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, strategies and action plans, in line with the Global Action Plans
• Contribute to the development and implementation of Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) in emergencies and public health events.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:A university degree (bachelor’s) in a relevant field (such as health, public health, socialsciences). Training in epidemiology or social epidemiology and/or good knowledge of theory and the practice of health promotion and the determinants of health.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of two years of work experience relevant to the position (in public health and disease control programme management, working with national /international organizations involved in health promotion, public health or development).

Desirable: Experience in planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of major disease control programmes, and experience with the United Nations or international non-governmental organizations.

Skills

• Policies, strategies and guidelines in the field of public health, particularly in health promotion and the determinants of health.
• The prevention of communicable disease outbreaks and health protection through community engagement and multisectoral action.
• Good understanding of country office needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies,practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
• Basic understanding of Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE).
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Ability to maintain relationships and network with national authorities and other stakeholders in relevant sectors.
• Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
• Conducting research and analyzing results, identifying issues, formulating opinions, drawing conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.
• Ability to draft policies and objectives of assigned programme and activities.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and cloud management enterprise systems such as Workday.

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. Expert knowledge of Local Language (Armenian).

Desirable: Knowledge of other UN Languages (French, Russian, German)

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at DRAM 17,162,209 (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 shws@who.int.

• 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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