Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO:
All 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 and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out.
Mission of the WHO Regional Office for Europe and Objective of the Division of 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.
|
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 and in particular in relation to EH intelligence, information, assessments and forecasting as part of country efforts to strengthen health systems include:
(i) dialogue with and advice to policy makers on evidence basis for healthy, effective and equitable policies, measures and strategies. Advise and guide on responsibilities in health systems and involvement of stakeholders with clear lines of accountability and transparency;
(ii) develop and implement innovative approaches, adapted to regional/country needs, in the technical areas, particularly in the area of knowledge and information generation and management;
(iii) technical assistance with the development of mechanisms, instruments and tools (such as monitoring and evaluation, performance assessment and performance management and approaches to enhance effectiveness of stakeholder involvement) as well as the estimation of the required resources (human, financial, infrastructure and technological) and knowledge (i.e. through research, evaluation, performance measurement and knowledge management) to build understanding and capacity for improving the assessment of environment and health issues (i.e. leading policy development and coordination, transforming information into intelligence and applying this to the development and assessment of health policies and strategies; mobilizing its legal and regulatory powers to attain health system goals; recommending that the health system is designed to adapt to changing needs; and exerting influence across other sectors than health and advocating for better health); and
(iv) advocacy, knowledge transmission and advice for the enhancement of the capacities and skills of health ministries in carrying out their function particularly in relation to environmental determinants of health.
B. Core responsibilities in providing intellectual and technical leadership and guidance in directing the development of environmental health intelligence and forecasting include:
(i) acting as the WHO EURO content expert and focal point for EH information, intelligence, analysis and forecasting issues;
(ii) ensuring technical quality and competence in the area of EH information, intelligence, analysis and forecasting and to be responsible for the overall timeliness and quality of all programme deliverables of both country and inter country work plans;
(iii) developing regional plans for regional EH assessments and harnessing European and other experience and knowledge, documenting gaps therein for the definition of the research agenda on the subject matter;
(iv) ensuring consistency and cohesiveness with the WHO guidelines, approaches, and messages, contributing to the WHO normative function;
(v) coordinating international activities with relevant organizations and partners in the technical area;
(vi) supporting the WHO contribution to the health component of the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment;
(vii) managing and synthesizing related knowledge to build the evidence base for dissemination to Member States as required;
(viii) producing authoritative and relevant policy papers and briefs on the subject matter;
(ix) supporting Divisional efforts to monitor and implement follow-up of the commitments taken through declarations at the various Ministerial Conferences on Environment and Health;
(x) liaising with relevant experts to ensure the broadest dissemination of EH information to international community and general public.
C. Core responsibilities as a Programme Manager:
(i) to provide leadership and managerial oversight to the work of all programme/project staff;
(ii) to mobilize resources to efficiently deliver services/products within country and inter country work plans;
(iii) to be responsible for the allocation of resources within country and inter country work plans in coordination with the Strategic Objective Facilitator (ensure availability of funds and monitoring of dates and budget constraints);
(iv) to perform the general management of the programme's professional and general service staff, as first level supervisor (to include monitoring of workload, funds availability, performance management, and to establish mechanisms which ensure proper coordination within the team regarding travel, holidays), and
(v) to regularly monitor and assess the performance of the technical programme through evaluation and reporting.
|
| REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS |
Education:
Essential:
Advanced university degree in medicine, environmental health, public health, environmental sciences or areas relevant to the post. |
Skills:
Functional:
In depth knowledge of environmental determinants of health, of environment and/or health information systems as well as advanced epidemiology and information analysis skills documented by the record of relevant publications are essential.
Knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries in the European Region documented by relevant work experience would be an asset. Knowledge of the WHO and UN system would be an asset.
Competencies required:
1) Ensuring the effective use of resources -
Establishes measures to monitor resources and progress of activities as planned. Monitors costs and seeks to use the most cost-effective methods. Identifies, organizes and effectively manages the financial and human resources needed to achieve results. Identifies priorities and defines realistic objectives and timelines.
2) Creating an empowering and motivating environment - Ability to provide staff with clear direction and support in meeting objectives. Provides staff with regular feedback, recognizes good performance and addresses performance issues. Motivates staff to achieve individual and team goals. Ability and willingness to work in a team with other health professionals and motivate people of different nationalities and cultures.
3) Producing Results - Ability to produce high-quality results and workable solutions that meet client needs. Acts appropriately without prompting and makes things happen; handles problems effectively.
4) Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond - Ability to work collaboratively with team members and counter parts inside and outside the organization to achieve results. Encourages co-operation and builds rapport among fellow team members at all levels.. Actively encourages people from different parts of the Organization to work together.
5) Communicating in a credible and effective way - Excellent writing ability, as reflected in a history of high-quality and concise technical reports. Excellent presentation skills, as reflected in a history of high quality technical and policy related presentations in international fora.
Other skills:
Knowledge of standard text, spreadsheet and presentation software applications required. |
Experience:
Essential:
At least 10 years working experience in environment and health issues at national or international levels, including 3 to 5 years of team management tasks and 3 to 5 years of practical experience in implementing programs related to generation, analysis and interpretation of EH information and/or environment and health epidemiology. |
Languages:
Essential:
Very good command of the English language and working knowledge of another official WHO language and/or WHO EURO official language (ie - Russian, French, German, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese)
Desirable: Good knowledge of other European languages.
|
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 80,629 at single rate
USD 86,791 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. |
