OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The overall mission of the Science Division is to harness the power of science and innovation to improve health in a systematic way by ensuring the excellence, relevance, and efficiency of WHO's core technical functions, including norms, standards, and research. Within this Division, the specific purpose of the Research for Health department is to accelerate the impact of ethical, evidence-based research on people's health. Its mandate is structured around three key roles: l) to provide leadership on matters related to the impact of research on people's health around the world; 2) to ensure that ethics is central to WHO's recommendations to countries, to public health programmes and for clinical practice, with the aim of maximizing benefits while mitigating risks; 3) to secure the overall efficiency and impact of the WHO research process.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:
- Provide technical leadership within the Unit in the area of responsible use of life sciences and emerging technologies.
- Develop and propose technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provide advice in developing further the responsible use of life sciences and emerging technologies.
- Manage the programme area to deliver its objectives through efficiently managing time and financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
- Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
- Manage the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the subject area of work on key performance indicators, reporting requirements, and mechanisms to optimize the performance of the deliverables.
- Serve as the technical reference among the peer community, UN agencies, and other stakeholders at the technical levels in their respective areas of expertise.
- Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for approaches and mechanisms for emerging technologies.
- Perform all other related duties as assigned.
Specific Duties:
- Lead the technical work on emerging technologies, including the identification of specific areas in science and technology that warrant specific considerations (including dual-use research)in terms of responsible use of life sciences and the development of guidance and technical products.
- Liaise with strategic foresight work to develop proactive mechanisms and frameworks for responsible innovations to maximize benefits and mitigate risks.
- Liaise with technical officers working on the implementation of relevant mechanisms for responsible use of life science and emerging technologies at regional and country levels.
- Develop a collaborative data analysis approach to identify priority questions in the responsible use of life sciences and emerging technologies.
- Liaise as appropriate with other technical departments and within the RFH department, including in particular the HealthEthics and Governance Unit.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: An advanced level university degree (Master level or above) in health sciences, science policy or related field.
Desirable: A PhD in health research, science policy or relevant field.Experience
Essential:
- A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the field of emerging technologies or science governance, including experience in the area of dual-use research.
Desirable:
- Prior experience in or collaboration with WHO.
- Experience in the application of strategic foresight in the context of health science and technology.
Skills
- Proven ability leading teams with excellent interpersonal skills in areas such as teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Moving forward in a changing environment Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyondUse of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.
REMUNERATION
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 77,326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 5793 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.