Technical Officer (Environment and Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. The 13th General Programme of Work defines the mission of WHO as one to promote health, to keep the world safe, and to protect the vulnerable. The GPW calls for heightened accountability, prioritising impact and outcome at country level, and to improve the lives of three billion people, through universal health coverage, through addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations.WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions\: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (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 European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out.The Division of Policy and Governance for Health and Well-being (PCR) leads the implementation of Health 2020 - the European Health Policy Framework supporting governments and societies towards their implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PCR specifically targets SDG 3 by aiding national and sub-national health policy development in countries.The PCR division has two core missions. In addition to leading and coordinating the SDG roadmap and implementation of Health 2020 and supporting Office-wide implementation of the WHO's 13th General Programme of Work, the division provides strategic and technical leadership in a number of cross-cutting programmatic areas that have a strong relevance to the work of the whole Regional Office. This technical leadership on governance for health and health equity extends into particular focus on the social and environmental determinants of health, gender, migration, human rights and vulnerabilities. PCR is also responsible for the coordination a several networks, such as the WHO Healthy Cities Network, the Small Countries Initiative and the Regions for Health Network, bringing together policy-makers and stakeholders working to put health high on the social, economic and political agenda. The division also hosts the secretariat of the European Environment and Health Process, a regional intersectoral process and platform for the development and implementation of policies advancing environment, health and well-being. The European Interagency Platform for Working Together for Better Health and Well-being for All and the UN issue-based coalition on health and development are also run by the PCR. These programmes were launched in 2016 and are pan-European approaches aimed at strengthening and enabling intersectoral cooperation. Areas of interest include between the health, education and social sectors, and facilitating and promoting the implementation in the Region of the targets of SDG 3 and the many other health-related SDG targets. The Division has staff located in the WHO/EURO main office in Copenhagen and in two technical centres\: the European Office for Investment for Health and Development in Venice, Italy and the European Centre for Environment and Health in Bonn, Germany. Additionally, PCR has staff in several country offices.WHO/ECEH (European Centre for Environment and Health) is the technical and scientific centre of the WHO Regional Office for Europe for addressing environmental impacts on health. It provides Member States with state-of-the-art evidence on existing and emerging environmental health risks and assists them inidentifying and implementing policies to protect and promote health. It develops policy advice and international guidelines, methods and tools to inform and support decision-making by governments, health professionals, citizens and other stakeholders, and contributes to shape the environment and health research agenda WHO/ECEH supports Member States to implement their environment and health-related commitments, in line with relevant World Health Assembly and Regional Committee Resolutions, as well as multilateral environmental agreements and multisectoral policy platforms. These activities contribute to improved and more equitable health for all people of the WHO European Region through the development of healthy environments and strengthened community resilience. In turn, they support the attainment of the global environment and health-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, and of the WHO Thirteenth General Programme of Work.WHO/ECEH is organized in four technical programmes\:The programme on healthy living and working environments addresses air quality, noise, chemicals, occupational health and aspects of climate change mitigation and environmentally sustainable health systems.The program on water and climate addresses the health-related aspects of water, sanitation, hygiene and climate change adaptation.The program on environment and health impact assessment addresses crosscutting issues\: economics of environment and health, environment and health impacts assessment, urban and built environments, waste management and health, industrially contaminated sites and environmental health inequalities.The programme on multisectoral partnerships for environment and health supports the European Environment and Health Process, the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme, and promotes the establishment of partnerships with environment and health stakeholders including Inter-governmental Organizations, Non-government Organizations and actors at the regional and local level.The technical programme on living and working environments (LWE) covers air quality, health aspects of climate change mitigation, noise, chemical safety, environmentally sustainable health systems, and occupational health. LWE provides leadership and capacities in the WHO Regional Office for Europe in the above-mentioned areas, and technical assistance to Member States to strengthen their capacities in developing and implementing policies, strategies and actions. The work of LWE is aligned with the strategic WHO directions as set in the relevant WHA resolutions and roadmaps, contributes to the implementation of GPW13 and the commitments taken under the Ministerial Conferences on Environment and Health, as well as to the achievement of the 2030 global Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement; it also supports implementation of global and regional environmental agreements on the health aspects of air quality and chemical safety.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To support the Living and Working Environments (LWE) programme at WHO European Centre for Environment and Health (WHO ECEH) in the normative work, including the development of WHO guidelines, as well as intercountry and country-level programmatic activities in environment and health, focusing on air quality and health.Under the supervision of the Programme Manager, Living and Working Environments (LWE), the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities\:A. Core responsibilities in relation to assisting Member States in planning and implementing activities to address environmental impacts on health, aligned with the Health 2020, GPW13, Agenda 2030, and the Ostrava Declaration\:1. Produce technical papers and analytical briefs on priority environment and health issues, country good practices, lessons learned and bilateral country tailored analysis;2. Support implementation of WHO environment and health activities, including, but not limited to the ongoing projects, and in accordance with Biennial workplans;3. Support coordination, promotion and advocacy of WHO environment and health work in countries, in close cooperation with local counterparts, key international stakeholders and relevant technical units in WHO Regional Office for Europe and WHO Headquarters;4. Assist in developing and organizing capacity building programmes and workshops in environment and health, in particular on air quality and health, and providing methodological advice on developing capacity building materials. B. Core responsibilities in providing intellectual and technical support and guidance in relation to normative and technical work at WHO ECEH, including WHO guideline development\: 1. Coordinate different steps in the project of updating WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (WHO AQGs) towards their submission, clearance and approval by the Guideline Review Committee; 2. Establish and maintain collaboration with external experts, partners and stakeholders to ensure timely and seamless interactions, including receiving external input, collecting and handling comments, and providing feedback;3. Provide expert/methodological advice to support ECEH/PCR programmes in planning and conducting retrieval, synthesis and assessment of the quality of evidence in environment and health (for example, air, noise, chemical safety, climate change, etc);4. Represent WHO/EURO at relevant national and international meetings, and interact with representatives of national and international agencies, and expert communities;5. Liaise and collaborate with relevant counterparts, like UNECE, the European Commission, DG Environment, professional associations, civil society and other stakeholders, to coordinate actions related to implementation of WHO normative work, including WHO guidelines.C. Core responsibilities related to project management\:1. Support ECEH programmes in environment and health evidence reviews processes through the coordinating of work planning, consultation processes among others; 2. Assist with the writing of project proposals, preparing advocacy materials, and web content management;3. Provide project management services from drafting project proposals, coordinating work planning, developing and delivering materials and training as required, overseeing project execution and reporting, liaising with related WHO teams and project partners;4. Perform any other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree (Bachelor's level) in public health, environmental health, epidemiology or related disciplines.
Desirable\: Master's degree in one of the above disciplines or post-graduate training in public health, environmental health or other relevant areas.

Experience

Essential\: At least five years' work experience, of which at least one year at the international level, in the area of air quality and health (evidence retrieval, synthesis and assessment). Project coordination/project management experience.
Desirable\: Relevant work experience in epidemiology and environmental health within WHO and/or the UN system; experience working with multilateral environmental agreements.

Skills

1. Demonstrated knowledge of WHO policies in environment and health, including WHA and RC Resolutions, regional platforms and processes, and relevant conventions and multilateral environmental agreements, in particular on air quality and health;2. Demonstrated good overview of social, economic and cultural diversity, including of health and environment systems, in the WHO European Region; 3. Demonstrated ability to work with external partners in an effective and competent manner and with due regard for cultural diversity; 4. Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge and expertise openly and freely, providing guidance, coaching and advice on technical areas5. Proficiency in the use of standard office software and databases.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of French, Rus., German.

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 60,233 (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 1466 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.