Technical Officer (Prevention of Blindness) Grade: P5

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The objectives of the eye health programme are to prevent and control major avoidable causes of visual impairments, to make essential eye care available to all, to facilitate the development of related national policies, plans and programmes, and to establish and further develop partnerships in order to promote eye health and their integration within the existing health systems.
Description of duties: Under the general guidance and supervision of the Director, Building Healthy Communities and Populations, and the Team Leader, Noncommunicable Diseases and Health Promotion: To manage effectively the eye health agenda in all its activities, including the Member State and regional needs analyses, the activity and priority plan development, its implementation and monitoring, involvement in cross-departmental projects, support to resource mobilization and allocation, and representation of the WHO Regional Office in international, regional, national and other relevant meetings, seminars and conferences. To proactively develop, in collaboration with other programmes in the WHO Regional Office, effective technical cooperation with Member States in the field of eye health on a sound public health bases, periodically collect data on eye health, provide need assessment, assist Member States in developing evidence based strategies, policies, plans and programmes for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of effective interventions to strengthen eye health. To develop technical and non-technical advocacy and/or awareness documents and reports to promote eye health, its integration within the existing health systems, and inclusion in broader development agendas in Member States and with other international and national partners. To establish and further develop the existing relevant partnerships with non governmental organizations, such as the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness in the scope of the VISION 2020 Global Initiative, and other relevant organizations and institutions, through joint activities, and mobilization of resources for strengthening eye health. To provide technical leadership in the regional planning and coordination of activities for eye health, including through the promotion and implementation of collaborative projects with WHO collaborating centres and other academic institutions To collaborate with other programmes within the WHO Regional Office to the achievement of common projects
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Master in Public Health with specialization in ophthalmic sciences from a recognized university is essential. Training in community-based health programme development and management, especially with regard to prevention of blindness is desirable.
Skills: Broad knowledge and experience in Blindness prevention programmes. Skills in planning, training, monitoring, and evaluation of interventions, and in development of locally adapted tools and instruments. Good communication skills. Ability to interact with health professionals at various levels. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team and adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct. Extensive knowledge in public health disease control aspects of relevance to the prevention of sensory impairments, excellent managerial skills in leadership and project management, ability to foster international collaboration and establish and maintain effective relationships at all levels, ability to motivate and collaborate with international partners, effectively communicate in multicultural environment with governmental institutions in the context of the WHO mandate, ability to exercise mature judgement. Facility with the use of word-processors, presentation software, spreadsheets and databases. Familiarity with the use of the Internet to publish relevant contents and with the fostering of an online community. Competencies: 1. Producing results 2. Communicating in a credible and effective way 3. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond 4. Ensuring the effective use of resources 5. Moving forward in a changing environment
Experience: Minimum of ten years experience in blindness prevention including international experience is essential. Experience of blindness prevention applied to developing country contexts, with proven sound experience in public health approaches in preventing visual impairments is required. Experience in writing proposals and reports is desirable. Programme experience in community-based health programme development and management, especially with regard to prevention of blindness is an asset.
Languages: Language: Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English. Working knowledge of other official languages is an advantage.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD80 629 at single rate USD86 791 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 51.2 % 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.