Regional Adviser - Tuberculosis (RA-TUB)

Duty Station: New Delhi, India Organization unit: SE/CDS Department of Communicable Diseases (CDS) (SE/CDS) / SE/TBC Tuberculosis Control (SE/TBC)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The overall objective of the TB control programme is to reduce mortality, morbidity, and transmission of the disease until it is no longer a threat to public health. The global targets as endorsed by WHO are to reduce the prevalence and mortality due to TB and reverse the incidence of the disease in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set for 2015. The programme aims to support a sustainable system of technical assistance in order to maintain universal access to quality diagnosis and patient-centred treatment for all TB patients and the effective monitoring of tuberculosis prevention, care and control activities in the South-East Asia Region, including drug resistant and HIV-associated tuberculosis.
Description of duties: The incumbent will work as a member of the TB unit under the direct supervision of Director, Communicable Diseases and overall guidance of Director, Programme Management/ Deputy Regional Director and in collaboration with Medical Officers - TB and focal points at WHO country offices in the Region and at WHO HQ, in order to promote and facilitate WHO's assistance to countries in the area of TB control. He/She will enable, support and provide guidance on the application of WHO policy initiatives and guidelines within the context of the Region and country specific situations and assist in implementation of decisions and resolutions of governing and advisory bodies of WHO.This will include adoption and adaptation of WHO Global and regional policies and strategies and formulation of specific policy decisions in the context of country and inter-country situations as determined by the Regional Director. The incumbent will refer to the General programme of work, resolutions of World Health Assembly and Executive Board, recommendations of the Regional Committee, South-East Asia Advisory Committee of Health Research, WHO staff rules and regulations, WHO strategies of TB control, WHO technical and policy documents, SEARO policy and procedure hand book, operational plans, consultants report, expert committees etc. The incumbent will seek policy guidance and will be supervised by Director, Communicable Disease and coordinate on administrative and financial aspects of work with professional and other senior staff in support services in the coordination and development of joint activities with technical units within SEARO and at Head Quarters, WHO country offices and consultants assigned to projects in countries. The incumbent will also interact with national counterparts in the Ministries of Health for exchange of information and to develop and monitor the implementation of TB control activities; with representatives of UN specialized agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and donor agencies in order to provide advice on capacity building, development of joint activities and resource mobilization. Summary of Assigned duties : 1. Collaborate with and advise national authorities, non-governmental organizations and other international organizations on the formulation of region and country-specific policies, strategies and guidelines for TB control in line with the WHO Stop TB strategy and develop plans and activities to effectively implement and evaluate TB programme activities within the Region; 2. Evaluate the activities of the regional and national TB programmes on the basis of Regional priorities and policies and ensure close co-operation with other related areas and programmes; advise on the identification of priorities and action plans to meet objectives of the Department's programmes; 3. Collaborate with international, bilateral and voluntary agencies involved or intending to be involved in TB control programmes in the Region, mobilize extra-budgetary resources to meet the programme needs and enhance implementation of the programme including through effective engagement with civil society and private sector; 4. Collaborate with Member Countries in the development and strengthening of TB epidemiological surveillance and utilization of epidemiological data for the development of evidence-based policy and strategies to further progress towards set targets; 5. Coordinate technical support to national TB programmes in the Region, advise and assist national authorities in identifying human resource requirements and training needs and in building technical and management capacity for implementation of TB control activities in the Region, make recommendations on the selection of appropriate supplies and equipment; 6. Promote and facilitate a programme oriented research agenda, through formulating appropriate protocols, advising on relevance and technical aspects of research proposals submitted for funding, encouraging the application of appropriate research methods, ensuring collection and distribution of research information for programme development. 7. Ensure co-ordination and exchange of information with Headquarters, other Regional Offices, Health Ministries, other organizations, etc. 8. Perform any other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: Degree in medicine and post graduate degree in medicine or public health or related subject. Desirable: Training in management and/or public health administration.
Skills: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of tuberculosis its epidemiology and control. Specialised knowledge and skills of the strategies and activities required to achieve the objectives and targets set for TB control. Ability to establish good working relationships with national and international personnel, ability to adapt to local conditions and aptitude for organizational work at the international level. Other Skills (e.g. IT): Knowledge of computer applications. Ability to make oral and written presentations on technical issues. Ability to write detailed, coherent, and concise briefing documents. Ability to evaluate, analyze, and interpret epidemiological data in the context of public health programmes.
Experience: Essential: At least 10 years professional experience in organization, planning, implementation and evaluation of TB Control Programmes including at least 5 years of similar experience at the international level. Desirable: Experience in TB case management, 3-5 years experience of working within an international organization, preferably a UN organization. Experience of working with donors and international partners. Competencies: Producing results Moving forward in a changing environment Ensuring the effective use of resources Building and Promoting Partnerships Across the Organization and Beyond Fostering integration and Team Work
Languages: Essential: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English. Desirable: Knowledge of other languages in the SEAR countries will be an asset.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$ 79,537 at single rate US$ 85,615 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 40.4 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening
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All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.