OBJECTIVESOFTHEPROGRAMME

WHOIndiaCountryOfficecollaborateswiththeGovernmentofIndiaandrelevantstakeholderswithintheframeworkofthecollaborativeCountryCooperation

Strategy(CCS),toactivelysupportthedevelopmentandimplementationofnationalhealthpolicies,strategies,andplansinNTDs,andeffectiveservicestowardsUniversalHealthCoverage.TheWCO-lndiaProgrammeofworksupportstheGovernmentofIndia(Gol)in,(i)Providingtechnicalsupportindevelopingnationalpolicies,strategiesandprogrammesactivitiesforeliminationofNTDsincludingleprosy,visceralleishmaniasis,lymphaticfilariasis,soiltransmittedhelminthiasis,snakebite,rabiesandotherscontributingtothestrengtheningandmonitoringofthepreventionandcontrolofNTDs; (ii)FacilitatingadoptionofevidencebasedpublichealthinterventionsinNTDandrelevantareas(suchasrelatedco-morbidities)andtransitioningofexistingprogrammesandhealthsystemsreformswiththeaimtopromotepeoplecenteredcare,equityandacceleratethemovementtowardsUniversalHealthCoverageandNTDelimination; (iii)Strengtheningstrategicinformationforevidence-basedplanning,implementation,monitoringandassessmentofresultsofthenationalresponsetoNTDelimination; and (iv) FacilitatingtheintegrationofNTDserviceswiththegeneralhealthservices/NationalHealthMission.

UnderlyingValuesandCoreFunctionsofWHO, alltheMemberStatesofWHOintheSouth-EastAsiaRegionsharethecommonvalueofthehighestattainablestandardofhealthasafundamentalhumanright.AllofWHO'sactionsarebasedonthisandrootedintheunderlyingvaluesofequity,solidarityandparticipation.WHO'smandaterevolvesaroundsix(6)leadershipprioritiesspecifying,(i)advancinguniversalhealthcoverage;(ii)healthrelatedsustainabledevelopmentgoals;

(iii)addressingthechallengeofnon-communicablediseasesandmentalhealth,violenceandinjuriesanddisabilities;(iv)implementingtheprovisionsoftheInternationalHealthRegulations(2005);(v)increasingaccesstoquality,safe,efficaciousandaffordablemedicalproducts; and (vi)addressingthesocial,economicandenvironmentaldeterminantsofhealth. TheSouth-EastAsiaRegionofWHOismadeupof11countries,withover1.9billionpeople,withIndia'spopulationof 1.4 billion. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic, anddemographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerablesegments of society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems as well asofthecircumstancesandpoliticaleconomyunderwhichtheyhaveevolvedandoperate.MissionoftheWHOCountryOfficeforIndia withintheframeworkof WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in: (i) developing and sustaining its own health policies, healthsystemsandpublichealthprogrammes;(ii)workingtopreventandovercomethreatstohealth;(iii)anticipatingfuturechallenges;and(iv)advocatingpublichealth.

India has achieved the threshold of kala-azar elimination as a public health problem in 2023 and is mounting its response to sustain this achievement. WHO Country office is supporting National Center for Vector Borne Disease Control to build programme capacity for dossier preparation, validation of elimination in state and below and finally prepare a national dossier for kala-azar free certification. The objective of this consultancy is to support and build state and national level capacity for preparation (and development) of a comprehensive dossier for the validation of Kala-Azar elimination, ensuring alignment with national strategies and WHO guidelines, and facilitating the validation of kala-azar elimination in India.

DESCRIPTIONOFDUTIES

Undertheoverall direction oftheWHORepresentativetoIndia, guidance fromDeputyWHO Representative andthedirectsupervisionofTeamLeader(CommunicableDiseases)theincumbentwillhavethefollowingresponsibilitiesto:

• Provide technical and strategic support to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) on compiling and structuring data and information required for the Kala-Azar elimination validation dossier.
• Collaborate with the NCVBDC, and allied departments in MoHFW, and relevant stakeholders to gather and verify data, ensuring it meets evidence-based guidelines and policies.
• Facilitate multi-sectoral partnerships to consolidate efforts towards dossier preparation and validation processes.
• Lead the preparation of a clear and comprehensive dossier that includes strategic information, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) data, and case studies on Kala-Azar elimination efforts.
• Ensure the dossier reflects accurate data on prevention, control, treatment, and care strategies and outcomes.
• Support building capacity of national and subnational networks for effective data collection and reporting relevant to the dossier.
• Facilitate and conduct trainings and orientation of national and sub-national program managers in dossier preparation for KA elimination validation.
• Conduct regular field visit in KA endemic area to strengthen program ensuring best practices in documentation from block level to national level as per WHO standards.
• Guide and mentor the network of NTD field consultants in understanding dossier preparation processes and requirements.
• Incorporate the One Health approach into the dossier by ensuring zoonotic and NTD collaborations are documented and highlighted as part of the elimination strategy.
• Support the utilization of implementation research and evidence in the dossier to inform policy and decision-making, working closely with NCVBDC and national research institutes.
• Ensure sustainability and monitoring of drug procurement and supply chain management are documented in the dossier, ensuring the use of quality-assured products.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews to ensure the dossier meets WHO standards and is ready for submission.
• Prepare a manuscript for publication in biomedical journals documenting the kala-azar elimination as a public health problem in India.
• Undertake any other tasks and responsibilities related to the dossier preparation as assigned by supervisors.

Education

Essential:Master’s in health sciences/ biological sciences or related disciplinefromarecognizeduniversity.

Desirable:PhD in vector borne diseases with publications.

Experience

Essential:At least two (2) years of professional experience in the management and implementation of vector borne diseases with experience and understanding of Kala-Azar program from block-level to national level.

Desirable:Working experience in Kala-Azar program and experience of working in NCVBDC will be an advantage.

Functional Skills

• TheincumbentshouldidentifywiththecorevaluesoftheWorldHealthOrganization.ThoroughknowledgeofthesituationinIndiaaboutNTDs,especiallyon Kala-azar,andotherneglectedtropicaldiseaseswithgoodunderstandingofcountry'sneedsandpriorities,ofissuesandpoliciesinvariousaspects ofcontrolof healthsystemsorganisation. Verygoodknowledge ofWHOpolicies, programmesandguidelinesin therelatedareas.
• Soundtechnicalandpolicyadvisoryskills,basedonevidence.
• Leadership,coordinationandsupervisionskillswithdemonstratedabilitytoworkeffectivelywithgovernmentandcolleaguesinateamsettingatnationalandsubnational levels, toshare information anddata andmake oral andwritten presentationson technical issues.
• Abilitytoanalyse,synthesize,evaluate,interpretandconsolidateinformationfrommultiplesourcesanduseforpublichealthdecisionmakingandadvocacy.
• Provenabilitytobuildandmaintainrelationsandnetworkwithnationalauthoritiesandotherstakeholdersacrossrelevantsectors.Understandingofthepotential motivatingfactorswithinnationalcontext andabilitytoadjustto newapproachesinanincreasingly complexenvironment.
• Modemmanagementskills(planningandevaluation,etc.).
• Demonstratedskillintheformulation,design,developmentandimplementationofmonitoringandevaluationframeworks.
• Capacitytopreparetermsofreferenceandtoprepareandmonitorandmanagetheimplementationofcontractualagreements.
• Capacitytoconveyinformationandoptionsinastructuredandcredibleway;abilitytospeakandwriteclearly.
• Proficiencyincomputerapplicationsandabilitytodraftreports.
• Strong expertise in National Kala-Azar Elimination Program of India, public health, and healthy system in India.
• Proven experience in data analysis, policy development, or dossier preparation.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills for engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to provide strategic advice and support capacity-building initiatives.
• KnowledgeofWHO/UNagenciesprogrammesandpracticeswillbeanadvantage.

WHOCompetencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promotingindividual andcultural differencesCommunication
• Producing results
• Ensuring the effectiveuse of resources

UseofLanguageSkills

Essential:ExpertknowledgeofEnglish.ExpertknowledgeofHindi.

REMUNERATION

Monthly remuneration is INR 218,855 (NOB) taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he will be posted at New Delhi. The position may require extensive travel (can be upto15 days in a month) to the states and districts.

ADDITIONALINFORMATION

• Thisvacancynoticemaybeusedtofillothersimilarpositionsatthesamegradelevel.
• Onlycandidatesunderseriousconsiderationwillbecontacted.
• Awrittentestand/oranasynchronousvideoassessmentmaybeusedasaformofscreening.
• In theevent thatyour candidatureis retainedfor aninterview, youwill berequired toprovide, inadvance, ascanned 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 NationsEducational, 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.
• WHOhaszerotolerancetowardssexualexploitationandabuse(SEA),sexualharassmentandothertypesofabusiveconduct(i.e.,discrimination,abuseofauthorityandharassment).AllmembersoftheWHOworkforcehavearoletoplayinpromotingasafeandrespectfulworkplaceandshouldreportto
• WHOanyactualorsuspectedcasesofSEA,sexualharassmentandothertypesofabusiveconduct.ToensurethatindividualswithasubstantiatedhistoryofSEA,sexualharassmentorothertypesofabusiveconductarenothiredbytheOrganization,WHOwillconductabackgroundverificationoffinalcandidates.
• WHOhasasmoke-freeenvironmentanddoesnotrecruitsmokersorusersofanyformoftobacco.
• ForinformationonWHO'soperationspleasevisit:http://www.who.int.
• WHOalsoofferswiderangeofbenefitstostaff,includingparentalleaveandattractiveflexibleworkarrangementstohelppromoteahealthywork-lifebalance and to allow all staff members to express anddevelop their talents fully.
• Thestatutoryretirementageforstaffappointmentsis65years.Forexternalapplicants,onlythosewhoareexpectedtocompletethetermofappointmentwill normally be considered.
• PleasenotethatWHO'scontractsareconditionalonmembersoftheworkforceconfirmingthattheyarevaccinatedasrequiredbyWHObeforeundertakingaWHOassignment,exceptwhereamedicalconditiondoesnotallowsuchvaccination,ascertifiedbytheWHOStaffHealthandWellbeingServices(SHW).Thesuccessfulcandidatewillbeaskedtoproviderelevantevidencerelatedtothiscondition.AcopyoftheupdatedvaccinationcardmustbesharedwithWHOmedicalserviceinthemedicalclearanceprocess.Pleasenotethatcertaincountriesrequireproofofspecificvaccinationsforentryorexit.Forexample,officialproof/certificationofyellowfevervaccinationisrequiredtoentermanycountries.Country-specificvaccinerecommendationscanbefoundontheWHOinternationaltravelandStaffHealthandWellbeingwebsite.Forvaccination-relatedqueriespleasedirectlycontactSHWdirectlyatshws@who.int.
• ThisisaNationalProfessionalOfficerposition.Therefore,onlyapplicationsfromnationalsofthecountrywherethedutystationislocatedwillbeaccepted.Applicants who are not nationals of thiscountry will not be considered.
• Incasethewebsitedoesnotdisplayproperly,pleaseretryby:(i)checkingthatyouhavethelatestversionofthebrowserinstalled(Chrome,EdgeorFirefox);(ii)clearingyourbrowserhistoryandopeningthesiteinanewbrowser(notanewtabwithinthesamebrowser);or(iii)retryaccessingthewebsiteusingMozillaFirefoxbrowserorusinganotherdevice.Clickthislinkfordetailedguidanceoncompletingjobapplications:Instructionsforcandidates.