OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMMEhe Special Initiative on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Innovation (SNI) supports Member States in their work to free the WHO European Region from avoidable NCDs. SNI recognizes both the urgency for immediate action as well as the need for a visionary paradigm shift that puts NCDs higher on the political and health agendas for future generations. Therefore, SNI takes a dual-track approach, promoting accelerated progress toward the NCD-related SDG commitments for 2030 (RACE to the Finish) while simultaneously championing the key generational shifts required, to address NCDs within the permacrisis (Vision 2050), and achieve a sustainably healthier European Region. SNI's commitment is to support Member States to achieve a healthier population and to close the gap in NCDs including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes that persist within countries and across the Region. SNI is also charged with fostering Innovation in Public Health across the whole of the work of WHO in the European Region (not just for NCDs). SNI promotes an approach to innovation that is forward thinking and agile, institutionalizing innovation and adjusting to meet the changing needs of a vast region facing demographic, societal and environmental shifts, emergencies, and rapid technological advances. The work under this area includes supporting an ecosystem of innovators in health, matching innovative solutions with stated public health needs in countries, and pushing the envelope in trending areas such as the application of artificial intelligence to public health.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIESCore responsibilities in providing technical support for the implementation of EVID-ACTION project, namely evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and assisting Member States include: Provide technical support to Member States to strengthen implementation of the policy areas identified in the EVID-ACTION project notably strengthening health systems response, including for vulnerable populations; Prepare a set of scientific papers, presentations, good practices and policy briefs, including identified gaps and needs, and support Member States in piloting and implementing initiatives on identified priority areas; Provide technical assistance in developing innovative tools to support country implementation of effective policy options to reduce alcohol consumption and substance use disorders, and in particular those targeting health systems, contributing to improved implementation of brief interventions, referral and treatment pathways and support for recovery; Provide technical support and ensure quality and feasibility of the online SBI platform, based on a compendium of existing tools that can be used in primary healthcare, workplace and social services supporting training and capacity building through innovative approaches, including exploring the use of AI; Collaborate with other programmatic areas, units and divisions in the design, organization and delivery of training courses/workshops in alcohol-related areas and explore and use synergies with WHO networks in other areas and programmes; Prepare illustrative examples of initiatives of the work under EVID-ACTION, including the dimensions of life-course, family, social services support and healthier workplaces with a focus on alcohol; Develop reports and/or scientific publications that incorporate the results of the work of the WHO Regional Office for Europe capturing the strategic, innovative and efficiency dimensions in addressing alcohol consumption and substance use disorders, including consideration of people in vulnerable contexts; Contribute to the preparation of country fact sheets and policy briefs describing policy developments and particularly success stories in reducing alcohol consumption and implementing cost-effective alcohol policies under the EVID-ACTION project; Interact with WHO Collaborating Centres in the area of alcohol and collaborate with universities and research institutes to steer knowledge and scientific exchanges that can be used to support evidence-building and the bridging of gaps between research and policy implementation; Contribute to the development and implementation of training programmes and courses on policy implementation and health systems strengthening, related to the needs of different stakeholders; Contribute to the preparation of proposals for mobilization of resources for the implementation of activities at national and regional levels in the areas of alcohol consumption and substance use disorders; Perform other duties as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EducationEssential: University degree (Master's level) in public health, social sciences, law or similar field, relevant to the position.
Desirable: Additional university degree or Doctorate in any of the above fields.
ExperienceEssential: Minimum of five years of relevant experience in the area of alcohol or NCDs, including at least one year at international level.
Desirable: Proven experience working with Ministries of Health and other Ministries/Governmental Agencies/Legislative Authorities. Proven experience working in partnership with UN organizations, the private sector, multinational organizations and non-governmental organizations.
SkillsKnowledge of public health interventions on noncommunicable diseases in Europe. In-depth knowledge of alcohol interventions, in specialist areas, such as screening and brief interventions and/or substance use disorders health systems interventions. Knowledge of stakeholder engagement and health systems of countries in the WHO European Region. Ability to foster teamwork and to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels. Emotional awareness: the ability to identify and harness one's emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one's own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.
WHO CompetenciesTeamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Use of Language SkillsEssential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Russian, German.
REMUNERATIONWHO 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 70,212 (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 4400 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
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The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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*For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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