Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Access to Medicines and Health Products (MHP) Division works with Member States and partners to improve the access to safe, quality assured, efficacious and affordable medicines and health products and to promote that these are used rationally. In line with the GPW 13 strategic priorities and to achieve greater country impact, the Department of Health Products Policy and Standards (HPS) works with the Regulation and Prequalification (RPQ) Department in the MHP division in the wider framework of access to medicines and health products and Universal Health Coverage and cooperates with the disease-oriented programmes (among others HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, NCDs and mental health, reproductive health and maternal and child health, immunization) and health systems oriented programs such as Primary Health Care. The department works with a wide range of UN organizations, international partners, expert networks and WHO Collaborating Centres. WHO's work related to assistive products and assistive technology sits within the Unit of Assistive Technology and Medical Devices (ATM) in the HPS Department. WHO launched the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE initiative) in 2014 to support countries to improve access to AT and in turn, to fulfil related commitments to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Sustainable Development Goals. Within the ATM unit, the ATA team is responsible for continuation of the GATE initiative. The ATA team's work includes development of normative tools and guidance, and technical support to Member States to improve access to assistive technology for their populations. The team is responsible for the development of the Global Report and Progress Reports every 4th year on Assistive Technology and the other mandates set out in World Health Assembly Resolution WHA 71.8.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In close collaboration with other teams in the department, other WHO departments, regional and country offices, and external stakeholders as appropriate, the incumbent will contribute towards implementation of the 71 WHA resolution on improving access to assistive technology and will perform the following tasks:

1. Coordinate the launch and dissemination of the Global Report on Assistive Technology;
2. Coordinate and monitor the technical work of the ATA team, including revision of the WHO Priority Assistive Products List (APL), and development/implementation of tools and training packages for integrated AT service provision;
3. Provide technical support to Member States in the development of AT policies and programmes, at their request;
4. Support and expand existing partnerships such as AT scale, AT 2030 and the GATE community, and build new initiatives and partnerships as relevant and appropriate;
5. Lead on ATA team communications, including communication strategy and on communications for specific technical products; and Support the Team Lead with resource mobilization.
6. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree in public health, rehabilitation science/engineering, biomedical engineering or closely related field.
Desirable: Specialization in any branch of assistive technology or professional training assistive technology.

Experience

Essential: Minumum 7 years` experience in the field of assistive technology, of which at least 5 years in an international organization or in the assistive technology industry or service provision authority; covering a wide range of assistive technology associated with disability, ageing, communicable and non-communicable diseases, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Demonstrated exposure at international level and in partnership brokering.
Desirable: Experience working in collaboration with assistive technology stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, including governments, non-government organizations and disabled peoples organizations with a proven record of accomplishment in producing results in the field of assistive technology.

Skills

Substantial knowledge of public health, rehabilitation and assistive technology, especially in the design, development and implementation of national assistive technology policies and programmes;

Understanding of WHO and its mandate;

Management and administration of development of technical products;

Excellent writing skills (including reports, proposals, project plans), ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder projects, and excellent interpersonal negotiating and consultative skills.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Russian).

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 5356 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• 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.