Regional Adviser (Mental Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To assist Member States to: 1) prevent and reduce disease, disability and premature morbidity and mortality resulting from mental and psychosocial disorders, and 2) To promote healthy lifestyles across genders and all strata of the community to enable community members to develop enhanced self-confidence and resilience to psychosocial stresses and recovery from such.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of Director HPN and overall guidance of Director, Programme Management (DPM), the incumbent will carry out the following:

1. Formulate the regional programmes, programme budget, implement, monitor and document achievements on: mental health, neurological and substance use disorders;

2. Review national and regional activities in the above programme areas, identify priorities and develop action plans for Regional Director to meet programme objectives;

3. Support Member States in revising/developing policies on mental health, neurological and substance use disorders;

4. Support Member States in assessing the mental health needs and in assessing the treatment gap for mental, neurological and substance use disorders and preparing Regional strategies to support development of national action plans;

5. Provide technical support for sustaining improvement in mental health and well-being by facilitating strategy development, generating evidence, capacity development and advocacy;

6. Ensure the coordination and exchange of information with headquarters, other regional offices, relevant ministers and other organizations;

7. Maintain liaison with and provide advice to related national agencies, international and bilateral agencies in planning, evaluation and implementation of national action plans on mental health and substance use;

8. Assist Director-HPN, WHO Representatives in country offices (WRs) and country focal points on matters relating to the above-mentioned technical areas;

9. Prepare administrative and technical reports as necessary;

10. Ensure close collaboration and provide inputs to related areas such as health systems, emergencies, and maternal and child health, geriatric health;

11. Facilitate monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets for mental health and psycho-social wellbeing substance use; and

12. Perform other related duties, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medicine from a recognized university with a post graduate degree in mental health, psychology or related health sciences.
Desirable: A degree/post- graduate in public health and /or health management or social sciences.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years' experience at senior level in mental health and substance use including five years of international experience in the management and/or policy development and capacity building in the field of mental health.
Desirable: Experience in community based public health programme management in developing countries.

Skills

1. Technical skills to conceptualize and plan mental health interventions; support mental health policy and programme development; guide and support relevant operational research.

2. Excellent knowledge of the specific/technical area of public health.

3. Programme and project development and management.

4. Health planning and programme implementation at operational, sub-national, and national levels, with political and technical elements.

5. Capacity building through multiple methods, including training, mentoring, setting up systems and example setting.

6. Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

7. Ability to demonstrate gender, equity and cultural appropriateness in the delivery of services to Member States with high consideration for their specific contexts.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Producing results
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other WHO official 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 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 2613 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.