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Technical Officer

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location:
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • HQ/GCP Global Coordination and Partnership
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Antimicrobial Resistance Division is to define, advance, promote and monitor comprehensive policies and strategies that prevent, reduce, and mitigate drug-resistant infections and the overall impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally based on the Global Action Plan on AMR and the 13th Global Programme of Work of WHO and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also provides global direction and strategic leadership for the global response to AMR in coordination with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and other United Nations (UN) and international agencies and, facilitates the creation of common goal and vision through innovative partnerships, political engagement and promoting multisectoral engagement and synergy across the One Health spectrum in humans, animals, plants, food, feed and the environment.

Its main objective is to support the development, implementation, and monitoring of One Health National Action Plans for Member States and facilitates the mainstreaming of effective strategies and actions, including on the prevention and control of infection, antimicrobial stewardship, awareness creation and communication, research and development in their health and development agendas in partnership with FAO, OIE and other key partners. The Department of Global Coordination and Partnership on AMR leads and coordinates the global One Health multisectoral response to AMR in cooperation with FAO, OIE, the UN as well as other agencies, civil society, and the private sector, towards a world free from the suffering of drug-resistant infections.

The Department has the following functions in line with WHO's General Programme of Work to protect antimicrobials important for human health and mitigate drug-resistant infections: Leads the global One Health multisectoral response to AMR across the human, animal, plant, food, feed and environment sectors, through multisectoral engagement and interventions, and strengthening advocacy and awareness; Facilitates global coordination and interagency engagement and partnership for creation and sustenance of shared global vision and goals; shapes the research and development agenda through innovation, priority setting and supporting global initiatives that enable the generation, translation and dissemination of knowledge; facilitates, nurtures and scales up evidence-based interventions to enhance stewardship, awareness, and understanding of AMR across the One Health spectrum.

The Antimicrobial Stewardship and Awareness Unit facilitates, nurtures and advocates for evidence-based interventions to enhance antimicrobial stewardship activities, promotes awareness and understanding of AMR and coordinates global advocacy and campaigns on AMR. This includes: advocating for evidence-based interventions to enhance the appropriate, prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials in the human, human-animal health and food chain sectors; optimizing the stewardship of antimicrobials through the dissemination of normative guidance, best practices, and technical support; Driving awareness and understanding of AMR through education, training, behavior change, and communications; coordinating global campaigns, including World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide input to the work program in the area of antimicrobial resistance awareness and behaviour change and assist in the successful implementation of health systems and policies related to antimicrobial resistance.

2. Undertake research on the public health topics to facilitate the development and implementation of the antimicrobial resistance awareness and behaviour change programmes and activities.

3. Draft, revise and further develop antimicrobial resistance awareness and behaviour change guidelines, national strategies and provide recommendations on a plan of action for improvement in the existing public health policies and health systems.

4. Monitor work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.

5. Conduct data analyses and information on best practices and partners' experiences in implementing sustainable public health systems and disseminate information.

6. Participate in capacity building in the area of public health systems and the management and financing of the systems.

7. Analyze and evaluate best practices from a variety of public health databanks and information related to antimicrobial resistance awareness and behaviour change; identify disease sources and provide recommendations concerning appropriate response to identified risks, and implementation of preventative measures and prepare reports.

8. Conduct a variety of community outreach activities concerning the extension of health-care networks.

9. Serve as a technical resource at counterpart level concerning antimicrobial resistance awareness and behaviour change, respond to inquiries and provide detailed technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.

10. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific duties:

1. Facilitate implementation of the annual World Antimicrobial Awareness Week in collaboration with the Tripartite organizations, UNEP and other partners.

2. Provide technical input to new global campaigns aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and securing behaviour change.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A first university degree in social or behavioral sciences, international relations or communications.

Desirable: An advanced university degree in the above-mentioned fields or public health or veterinary medicine.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in behaviour change, communications or advocacy focusing on areas of public health. Demonstrated experience at the international level.

Desirable: Experience at the country level.

Skills

□ Knowledge of global situation with regard to antimicrobial resistance and management with good understanding of 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.

□ Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.□ Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.

□ Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

□ Excellent knowledge of Health care systems and safety regulations.

□ Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty.

□ Public speaking techniques.

□ Excellent drafting and communication skills.

□ Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

□ Team spirit and time management skills.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate 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 62,120 (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 4105 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.
  • WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
  • 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.
This vacancy is now closed.