Regional Adviser, Healthy Cities, Health Promotion & Well-being

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Programmes (CHP) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases and address the social, economic and environmental determinants of health, and promotes policies and actions for health through stewardship of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. It focuses on health promotion measures; prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, and risks related to tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and the harmful use of alcohol; communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases; elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and advocacy for increased use of vaccines;containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance; addressing existing and emerging environmental health risks, and supporting violence and injury prevention. A determination to ensure universal access to people-centred quality health services across the continuum of care is matched by enriching the evidence base for policy design and interventions using social, cultural and behavioural approaches, to drive implementation of innovation at national, regional and local levels.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To lead and coordinate the work under the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, including supporting related intercountry and country-support programmes. The incumbent will developand coordinate cross-cutting initiatives in health promotion and well-being, whole of government and whole of society approaches for health, equity and sustainable development and provide related technical support and scientific advice to the Director.

Key duties:

Lead the strategic development of the Healthy Cities Network as a WHO collaboration platform for promoting health and well-being in European Member States from both a political and technical perspective;

Lead the implementation, monitoring andevaluation of Healthy Cities Network activities, as per WHO strategic priorities, EPW priorities, Healthy Cities Phase-specific goals and requirements and in dialogue with network members and committees;

Ensure a stable resource-base for network activities, including financial and human resources;

Ensure a vibrant membership base of cities and national networks that is representative of the European Region, and a well-functioning designation and accreditation process for cities and national networks that fulfil Phase-specific requirements;

Represent the WHO Europe Healthy Cities Network in relations with Member States, in partnerships and alliances, and within the organization in relation to HQ, other Regions and EURO technical programmes. Support WHO Europe in the design and implementation of cross-cutting priorities by providing strategic leadership and coordinating activities related to delivering WHO/Europe objectives promoting healthier populations, with a specific focus on multi-sectoral responses to the determinants of health and on multi-level governance for health and well-being;

Develop and coordinate cross-cutting initiatives, notably on urban health, commercial determinants, health equity;

Establish and manage cross-programmatic priority initiatives supporting Member States to create an enabling environment for healthy settings and engaging Member States, partners and other relevantentities to support health promotion skills and practices;

Provide analytical support, define main issues for development and provide policy advice to WHO/Europe and MSs for its efforts in the areas of health promotion, health-in-all policies;

Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Master`s level) in social sciences with a health policy related focus (e.g. political science, public policy, public administration, or another field relevant to the position).
Desirable: Doctorate in health promotion/determinants of health or health policies.

Experience

Essential:

At least 10 years of relevant work experience in health promotion, determinants of health and health policy analysis;

Demonstrated experience producing policy documents and technical publications;

Demonstrated experience in implementing and advising on multisectoral policies and actions in health and well-being.

Desirable:

Relevant experience working with(in) multi- and bilateral development agencies active in the health sector.

Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.

Skills

Demonstrated experience in implementing and advising on multisectoral approaches for health and wellbeing.

Demonstrated health and well-being policy analysis skills.

Demonstrated ability to write for peer review journals, good research, synthesis and presentation skills.

Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to identify and harness one's emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one's own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of either French, Russian, or German.

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 4911 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.