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Technical Officer, Air Quality & Noise (Bonn) Grade: P4

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO:

All the Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

The seven point global health agenda contained in WHO's Eleventh General Programme of Work (2006-2015) includes: (i) investing in health to reduce poverty; (ii) building individual and global health security; (iii) promoting universal coverage, gender equality and health related human rights; (iv) tackling determinants of health; (v) strengthening health systems and equitable access; (vi) harnessing knowledge, science and technology; and (vii) strengthening governance, leadership and accountability.

WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.

The European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate.

Mission of the WHO Regional Office for Europe and Objective of the Division of the Communicable Diseases, Health Security and Environment:

The aim of the Division of Communicable Diseases, Health Security, and Environment is (i) to assist countries in the Region to design, establish and run effective health programmes that are able to tackle the burden of communicable diseases in the country, including antimicrobial resistance, and to achieve regional elimination/eradication goals; (ii) to assist countries in developing disease surveillance systems, preparedness for, and response to public health emergencies, in line with the requirements of the International Health Regulations and specific country risks; (iii) to conduct routine health risk intelligence, risk assessment of reported events and, on request, to provide timely and effective support to countries of the European Region; (iv) to determine and monitor environmental risks to health as well as environmental determinant of health, and propose relevant research projects, health interventions and partnership to tackle the acute and long-term health impact of environmental changes, including climate change; (v) to ensure, within EURO, the availability of state-of-the-art competency to provide high level technical support to Member States of the Region, in collaboration with Headquarters and in close partnership with relevant institutions of the Region; (v) to promote WHO leadership in communicable disease control, health security, and health and environment programmes, including through relevant research and use of WHO norms and standards.

In this context the Division of Communicable Diseases, Health Security & Environment, specifically aims to address the public health challenges posed by environmental determinants of health, water and air quality, climate change, transports, and the food chain. This work is conducted in close collaboration with the Division of Non Communicable Diseases, the Division of Health Systems, and in partnership with all relevant partners and institutions, globally and in the European region.

The European Centre for Environment and Health in Bonn (the Bonn office) is a part of the CEH Unit. It offers technical support for effective evidence-based policies to support the Member States on matters relating to the health implications of environmental conditions across the European Region. It provides technical support to development and implementation of effective evidence-based policies related to health implications of environment conditions through implementation of country and intercountry workplans related to relevant Strategic Objectives.

Description of duties:
Under the guidance of the relevant supervisors, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities and achieve the following objectives:

A. Core responsibilities in assisting Member States in relation to environmental health issues linked to air quality and noise as part of country efforts to strengthen health systems include:

1. Provide technical assistance to Member States in assessing health risks of air pollution and noise, evaluating and designing risk reduction interventions and policies, and assessing their health benefits;

2. Assess existing situation and forecast trends of health risks related to air pollution and noise within the European Region;

3. Facilitate with relevant partners implementation of the international agreements on air quality and noise by the Member States.

B. Core responsibilities in providing intellectual and technical leadership and guidance in directing the development of environmental health issues in the field of air quality and noise include:

1. Coordinate review and synthesis of scientific evidence on health aspects of air quality and noise enabling quantification of their impacts on health and development or update of relevant WHO guidelines;

2. Coordinate the work of the Joint Convention - ECEH Task Force on Health Aspects of Air Pollution, supporting the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution;

3. Prepare reports and documents, and assist in other activities as required by the Environmental Exposures and Risks (EER) Programme Manager and Head of the Office.

C. Core responsibilities related to projects management:

1. Co-ordinate and manage implementation, organize reporting and writing up, follow up on monitoring and evaluation activities of the WHO-coordinated projects on health aspects of air quality and noise.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential:
University degree at Masters level in natural, environmental or medical sciences.

Desirable:
Post-graduate degree in environmental or public health sciences.
Skills:
Functional:

In-depth knowledge of air quality and noise risk assessment confirmed by relevant publications; good overview of environment and health issues in the European Region of WHO, familiarity with policy processes related to management of risks due to environmental determinants of health in European Region confirmed by personal participation in these processes as expert or representative, ability to work in international policy and scientific settings proven by work history; ability to work closely and in harmony with government officials, national and international officials and members of the scientific and academic community proven by a record of participation in collegial advisory or decision making bodies.
Proven familiarity with project formulation, implementation and evaluation as well as ability in scientific oral and written communication, demonstrated by the work record, are assets.

Other Skills:
Experienced user of office IT applications.

Competencies required:

1) Producing results - Produces high quality results, takes responsibility for own work, demonstrates systematic and efficient approach to work.

2) Moving forward in a changing environment - Is open to and proposes new approaches and ideas; recognizes opportunities for improvement and proposes workable solutions.

3) Ensuring the effective use of resources - Identifies priorities and defines realistic objectives and timelines; takes account of changing circumstances.

4) Communicating in a credible and effective way - Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others; listens actively; produces effective written communications. Ensures that information is shared.

5) Respecting & promoting individual & cultural differences -
Demonstrates the ability to work constructively with people of all backgrounds and orientations. respects differences and ensures that all can contribute.

Experience:
Essential:
Minimum 7 years of work experience in public health or environmental health, including three years active involvement international projects or activities.
Experience in networking/partnership related to public health or environmental health in an international setting.

Desirable:
Experience in management of international project(s) related to environment and health.
Good publication record.
Languages:
Essential:
Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another WHO official language and/or WHO EURO official language (ie Russian, German, French, Spanish, Arabic & Chinese).

Desirable:
Knowledge of other European languages is an asset.

Additional Information:
Short-listed candidates will be contacted for a written test and/or presentation.
Interviews will take place using a competency-based approach.
Similar posts could be filled using this vacancy notice.

WHO has an online recruitment system. Therefore, ONLY applications submitted on-line at www.who.int/employment/en will be accepted. All on-line applications are automatically acknowledged. If you do not receive an e-mail within 24 hours confirming receipt of your application, you should verify your on-line profile. In case of repeated difficulties, contact by e-mail hrsrecruitment@euro.who.int - indicating the vacancy title and number in the subject line.
Annual salary: (Net of tax)
USD 67,395 at single rate
USD 72,373 with primary dependants
Post Adjustment: 53.2 % 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.

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
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.