Economist

Vacancy Notice No: HQ/13/HQ/TA127 Title: Economist Grade: P4 Contract type: Temporary appointment Duration of contract:  12 months	Date: 6 December 2013 Application Deadline: 28 December 2013 (21 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Geneva, Switzerland   Organization unit: HQ Headquarters (HQ) / HQ/NMH Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (HQ/NMH) HQ/TCE Tobacco Control Economics
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The objectives of the Programme are to take forward the prevention of NCD agenda by: (i) providing strategic leadership, engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed; (ii) shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge; (iii) setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation; (iv) articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options, including providing vision for scaling up proven interventions; (v) providing technical support, catalysing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity; and (vi) monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends. The purpose of the programme is to support delivery of the WHO Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the Comprehensive Global Monitoring Framework, and the Voluntary Global Targets for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, and to support Member States in the technical implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The programme should have the principle of health equity at its heart and be an advocate for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach for the prevention of NCDs as well as Health in All Policies and the role of health services and systems being structured in a way that promotes health.
Description of duties: The Technical Officer for the economics of tobacco and tobacco control is the specialist for Prevention of Non Communicable Diseases (PND) in the following areas, specifically on tobacco taxation, employment and health care costs. The incumbent will work closely with regional counterparts and national collaborators to develop and assist in the implementation of comprehensive tobacco control programmes, with emphasis on economic measures, specifically on fiscal, labour and health care costs areas. Specifically the incumbent: 1) Provides advice, expertise, direct technical assistance and follow up in the development of price and tax policy to reduce the demand for tobacco at local, regional and international levels consistent with the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention (FCTC), its guidelines and any future protocols on this subject that the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention may adopt. 2) Develops new methods for enhancing the technical capacity in building South-South collaboration in the area of tobacco taxation, health and economic cost studies, and employment issues. 3) Builds new, and expands existing partnerships and networks with relevant expert agencies/organizations, including the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA), American Cancer Society (ACS) and University of Cape Town (UCT), in collaboration with the Centre for Tobacco Control (CTCA) Kampala, Uganda, WHO staff and consultants on the ground. 4) Leads trainings for government officials, NGOs, academia and WHO CO officials in selected African countries and/or Regional blocs on various areas of tobacco economics, including, inter alia: - Impact of tax increases on health care costs and outcomes - Impact of demand reduction measures on tobacco employment - Types of excise systems and their implementation by tax authorities - increases of excise duties on tobacco products; and - Changes in the taxation structure for tobacco products; 5) Provides authoritative expertise and advice to the Project Manager at HQ and Senior Project Officer in the WHO Country Office Uganda in the process of engaging with Ministries of Finance . 6) Assesses leading practices and research on tobacco taxation provisions embedded in cooperation agreements with third countries and identifies innovative approaches and models. 7) Monitors and analyses the tobacco excise systems in WHO in the African Region Member States and associated territories. 8) Provides expertise to WHO Africa region and countries to summarize information on national tobacco taxation policy and to integrate such data into the WHO global tobacco control information system, in collaboration with the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic project officer. Identifies best practices and drafts case-studies for the implementation and evaluation of tobacco control policies including price and taxation policies and their impact on health care costs and outcomes, and tobacco employment. 9) Provides expertise and advice in drafting reports, impact assessments and proposals in the field of tobacco taxation, employment and health care costs. 10) Other duties as required and requested by PND.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: * Essential: Master's level degree in economics. Desirable: Educational specialization in tobacco control issues, including excise taxes for tobacco products, tobacco employment and poverty, including health care costs and outcomes due to tobacco-related diseases.
Skills:  Extensive knowledge of excise tax policies on tobacco products. Extensive experience and knowledge in conducting research on the relationship between tobacco employment and poverty. Knowledge of health care cost research. Proven excellent writing and drafting skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance. Ability to be a cooperative team player with excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to work under tight deadlines and on a results-oriented basis. Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions. Competencies: 1. Ensuring the effective use of resources 2. Communicating in a credible and effective way 3. Producing results 4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond 5. Knowing and managing yourself
Experience: Essential: At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in economics, some of which in an international context. At least three years working in tobacco economics. Peer-reviewed publications on excise tax policy on tobacco products. Desirable: Experience working on tobacco taxation policies, tobacco employment and tobacco-related health care costs. Experience working with governments/Ministries of Finance in Africa.
Languages: Expert knowledge of English
Additional Information: Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this Vacancy Notice. This vacancy is published in English only. Priority will be given to internal candidates.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$67 483 at single rate US$72 467 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
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