Medical Officer

Vacancy Notice No: HQ/13/FWC/FT425 Title: Medical Officer Grade: P5 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  One year	Date: 7 October 2013 Application Deadline: 29 October 2013 Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Geneva, Switzerland   Organization unit: HQ/FWC Family, Women's and Children's Health (HQ/FWC) / HQ/RHR - Reproductive Health and Research (HQ/RHR)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) aims to promote and support an expanded global effort to enable people to protect their own health as it relates to sexuality and reproduction and to have access to and receive health services when needed. To achieve this, the Department advocates and promotes sound public health strategies, sets norms and standards, provides technical cooperation, and supports relevant research. RHR includes the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP). HRP is the main instrument within the United Nations system for promoting, conducting, evaluating and coordinating interdisciplinary research on sexual and reproductive health; for collaborating with countries in enhancing national capacities to conduct this research; for promoting the use of research results in policy-making and planning for sexual and reproductive health care; and for the setting of standards and guidelines, including ethical guidelines, in the field of sexual and reproductive health research. More information about HRP can be found at http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/hrp. The Maternal and Perinatal Health and Preventing Unsafe Abortion (MPA) team within RHR is esponsible for conducting research, developing normative standards, global monitoring and evaluation and strengthening research capacity for improving maternal and perinatal health and preventing unsafe abortion. The MPA team supports evidence-based policy and programme development and their implementation in collaboration with the WHO regional offices and other partners. MPA is committed to collaborating with countries in efforts towards achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health in particular to evidence-based and effective maternal and perinatal health interventions including those for preventing unsafe abortion and its complications.
Description of duties: 1. Take primary responsibility for the scientific and managerial aspects of implementing large scale research projects on maternal and perinatal health. The research projects are clinical and implementation research type as may be needed. Work actively with collaborating institutions within the HRP Academic Alliance. 2. Lead the development of evidence-based recommendations on priority topics on maternal and perinatal health and preventing unsafe abortion. Work closely with the Cochrane Collaboration and other partners in developing evidence synthesis through systematic reviews and assessing the quality of evidence. 3.Develop knowledge translation strategies for key maternal and perinatal health recommendations for incorporation in country policies and programmes. Collaborate closely with non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, WHO regional and country offices in delivering this task. Support their adaptation and monitoring and evaluation. 4. Undertake proposal development and grant writing and submission to donors and funding agencies in order to increase financial support for WHO's work in maternal and perinatal health and preventing unsafe abortion. 5. Manage collaboration with relevant organizations and institutions, including those in the HRP Academic Alliance, and WHO country and regional offices in order to implement the research priorities in the area of maternal and perinatal health and preventing unsafe abortion and achieve the objectives of the Team and Department. 6. Perform other related tasks, as required by Coordinator MPA, and Director, RHR.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: * Essential Medical degree with post-graduate training in obstetrics and gynaecology and an advanced degree, such as PhD or MPH, in research/public health.
Skills:  Extensive, up-to-date medical and scientific knowledge of reproductive health technologies, appropriate evidence-based interventions, services and programmes in the field of maternal and perinatal health and preventing unsafe abortion. Extensive knowledge of research designs especially clinical and implementation research. Skills in critical appraisal of published literature and systematic reviews demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals. Ability to work with multiple partners, technical networks and in a multicultural environment. Ability to produce results and respond to urgent needs. Communication and diplomatic skills. Competencies: *1. Producing results *2. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond *3. Promoting WHO's position in health leadership
Experience: * Essential Over 10 years of experience, including at the international level, in the clinical practice, research and programmatic aspects of maternal and perinatal health and preventing unsafe abortion. Working experience in developing countries. Considerable scientific publication record of primary research and systematic reviews in peer-reviewed journals. Desirable Experience in monitoring and evaluation of reproductive health programmes. Experience in conducting implementation research using robust study designs. Experience in research design including conducting non-specialist statistical analysis.
Languages: Essential Expert knowledge of English. Desirable Expert knowledge of another UN language.
Additional Information: The following priority order will be observed in the screening of candidates: 1. WHO staff members (Continuing, Fixed-term and Temporary appointments), 2. External candidates. Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice. A written test may form part of the screening process. This Vacancy Notice is published in English only.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$ 80 734 at single rate US$ 86 904 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 103.3 % 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
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.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.