Technical Officer (TFI/NCD)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Division Mandate:

To support Member States in promoting health as well as preventing morbidity, premature death and disability by addressing behavioral, environmental, social, cultural and health systems-related determinants of health. The programme will guide development of responses and interventions at the population level cognizant of specific health and developmental needs at different stages throughout the life course. Programme components include surveillance, strategic and innovative communication, advocacy for policy, development and enforcement of legislation and regulations, engagement with multisectoral stakeholders, special interventions for marginalized and displaced populations due to extreme climactic conditions, support for whole-of-government approaches and empowerment of communities and families to create health as a resource for living in the settings where people live, work, learn and play.

Unit Mandate:

1. Noncommunicable Diseases and Health Promotion (NCD and HPR)

For Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control (NCD)--> To support Member States inthe prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—particularly cancers,diabetes, and cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases—by raising priority accorded to NCDs through international cooperation and advocacy; strengthening national capacity, governance, multisectoral action, and partnerships; reducingthe major modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, by developing and implementing effective legal frameworks; orienting healthsystems through people-centred health care and universal health coverage; promoting high-quality research and development; and monitoring trend, determinants, and progressto achieveglobal, regional, and national targets through evidence-based interventions.

For Health Promotion (HPR):--> To support Member States in developing sustainable and autonomous infrastructure for health promotion to effectively apply and scale-up health promotion approaches to address priority public health concerns. Emphasis is placed on development of urban health strategies. Capacity in countries will be enhanced through leadership development programmes. Building healthy public policies, creating supportive environments, strengthening community action and personal skills will be promoted in a range of settings e.g. cities, islands, schools, workplaces among others.

2. Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI)

To accelerate full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in order to reduce tobacco use and protect people from second hand smoke exposure and thereby prevent and mitigate tobacco-related diseases and premature deaths. Emphasis is placed on sustainable programmes for tobacco control.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Coordinator, Disease Control with the guidance from WHO Representative (WR), the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Supports the WR and Country Office Senior Management to support the government in its efforts to accelerate implementation of the WHO FCTC (and ratify and implement protocols), including through opportunities provided by the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco use;

2. Assists the government in designing, strengthening, implementing and evaluating national tobacco control action plans, evidence-based policies and/or legislation and programmes consistent with the WHO FCTC, including scaling up the best buy and good buy MPOWER measures for reducing tobacco use as a practical, cost effective way to strengthen implementation of the Framework convention on the ground;

3. Build the capacity for country-level monitoring, evaluation and research, in coordination with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation and other Bloomberg Partners towards preparation and use of surveillance reports (e.g. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), Global Tobacco Control Report (GTCR) and the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), as well as other relevant researches, and in disseminating and using this for policy and decision-making;

4. Ensures integration of tobacco control in other relevant and priority areas of work of WHO in China, i.e. child health, tuberculosis control, health systems strengthening, among others;

5. Supports the government and other qualified entities to apply for grants under the Bloomberg Initiative, monitors the implementation of these grants and ensures that the key findings, recommendations and insights arising from these grants are incorporated into national, regional and global tobacco control policy development;

6. Submits reports periodically as required on regional/country-level progress and impact indicators for the Bloomberg Initiative Project and the WHO FCTC;

7. Plays a key role in linking the WHO's tobacco control work to the development and execution of WHO's strategy for addressing the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases in China, with a particular focus on the WHO-recommended ‘best buys' for reducing other lifestyle risk factors including unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and excessive consumption of alchohol;

8. Support the work on Healthy Cities within the CO both for external partners and WHO headquarters and regional office colleagues; and

9. Conduct other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Postgraduate degree (Master's level university degree or above) in public health or social science, law or economics from a recognized university.
Desirable: Specialized training in health policy development.

Experience

Essential: Minimum of 7 years relevant work experience in public health and/or related fields in public policy development, health promotion, NCD prevention and control with at least 5 years experience in tobacco control issues.
Desirable: Established track record in tobacco control programme implementation and management ideally at country level.

Skills

1. Knowledge of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and expertise in evidence-based public health approaches to prevent and control tobacco use.

2. Experience and proficiency in networking with nongovernment organizations, multi-sectorial groups and civil society partners, including tobacco control advocates.

3. Experience with and knowledge of non-communicable diseases wnad WHO recommended strategies for reducing lifestyle risk factors.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Moving forward in a changing environment
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other UN language.

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 74,913 (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 4233 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.