Medical Officer (Prevention, Treatment and Care of Neglected Tropical Diseases)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) is a pro-poor initiative with benefits well beyond health that contribute directly and indirectly to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Control of these diseases has the further advantage of being able to produce visible and measurable results quickly in ways that improve lives, promote economic productivity, and build expertise at the community level. WHO is promoting the intensification of control of neglected tropical diseases through a focus on three main activities: 1. Broader coverage with rapid impact interventions, including in complex emergencies; 2. Use of strengthened vector control to simultaneously reduce the transmission of several diseases; 3. Improved surveillance, management of cases and quality care in resource limited settings for diseases where this approach brings the best chance of preventing severely disfiguring disease or reducing deaths.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Provide strategiccoordination based on scientific and epidemiological evidence on the efforts to eliminate onchocerciasis, within the context of universal health coverage integrated with other large-scale preventive chemotherapy and skin NTDS. Lead WHO's overall technical coordination in support of Onchocerciasis elimination in endemic countries to reach the 2030 NTD road map targets and beyond. Organize and coordinate the Onchocerciasis Technical Subgroup (OTS) work and meetings and disseminate its conclusions to guide relevant stakeholders. Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise. Liaise with relevant WHO regional offices and the NGDO Coordination Group in relation to donors and to endemic countries; Coordinate, support evidence gathering and guidance development to refine the strategy for onchocerciasis elimination mapping as and when needed. Promote and coordinate monitoring and evaluation of onchocerciasis elimination, to inform evidence-based guidance and decision making. Develop guidelines and standard operational procedures for the practical use of the available technologies at the field level for mapping, implementing interventions, surveillance, monitoring and evaluation for onchocerciasis elimination and scabies control.9Provide guidance and support to WHO Regional and Country Offices and through them to the endemic countries in planning, implementing and monitoring of onchocerciasis elimination programmes in the large-scale preventive chemotherapy package withing the context of universal health coverage. Promote the development of operations and health systems research in relation to onchocerciasis elimination (mapping, diagnostics, stopping MDAs…), and to comprehensive eye care in onchocerciasis endemic areas/communities and also interventions in the control of scabies.Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Medical degree from a recognized university combined with an advanced university degree in public health.
Desirable: A post-graduate specialization in public health, tropical medicine, medical entomology, or community eye health.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of ten years of professional experience in the management of communicable disease control programmes or projects in the field of onchocerciasis with governmental and nongovernmental health systems, including five years at the international level. Experience working with communities and/or community-based organizations in the planning and delivery of health services. Demonstrated experience in an international context.
Desirable: Experience in developing countries. Experience working with international partnerships.

Skills

Strong knowledge of global health issues with in-depth knowledge of issues related to NTDs as a large and onchocerciasis elimination in particular. Ability to identify priorities, develop technical guidance and tools in the field of onchocerciasis elimination to build consensus on standards vis-a-vis onchocerciasis elimination. A good communicator with skills to present information clearly, both orally and in writing and able to make judgments using available evidence with ability to work within and contribute to a team. Good knowledge of and experience in engaging a diverse group of international, regional and national stakeholders, including professional networks. Proven ability in convening or facilitating events at national and international levels. Skills and experience in developing proposals for resource mobilization, research protocols, and in writing, editing of reports, publishing, technical guidance or advocacy materials. Demonstrated skills in project/programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 89,837 (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 5937 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.