Deputy Head of WHO Country Office – P6  

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The goal of WHO’s presence in countries, territories and areas is to develop a two-way collaboration between the Secretariat and countries, territories and areas, by supporting them to reach national health goals and contribute to global and regional public health action. WHO utilizes the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), a key element of the Country Focus strategy, as a strategic management tool to create synergy and alignment between WHO leadership priorities and national health policies, strategies and plans as well as United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSOF). Creating this synergy and alignment will be essential to advance WHO’s organizational effectiveness and ensure WHO’s relevance at country level. The Heads of WHO Offices in Countries, Territories and Areas (HWCOs), supported by all levels of the Secretariat, lead the work of the WHO offices which are the main platform for delivering WHO’s technical cooperation in countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the WHO Representative to India (WR India) and overall guidance of the Director, Programme Management the incumbent will:

1. Support WR India in providing strategic expert programmatic advice and guidance to deliver and implement National public health policy, strategy and plans;
2. Support WR India in managing the overall compliance and performance management standards of the country office and define work planning parameters to establish performance standards, accountability, and indicators for progress monitoring and reporting;
3. As a key member of the Management Team, Programme Committee and Human Resource Committee prepare briefings and implement decisions.
4. Lead the technical work of the Country Office and directly supervise the team leaders to ensure technical work is implemented and in line with national strategies and results with special emphasis on category 1-5, 9, 12 and 13 including NPSN;
5. Provide guidance and technical support to Member States, WHO offices and partners working in areas affected by chronic or acute crisis or in early recovery and transition on issues related to sustainable measures following an emergency;
6. Facilitate the optimal use of WHO financial, technical, logistic, and human resources through supporting the efficient and effective management of the office in the country, territory or area in full compliance with WHO procedures, rules and regulations;
7. Ensure the development and submission of monitoring and reporting on results at country level in mid-term and end of the biennium;
8. Provide authoritative advice to WR India on management, programme planning and oversight on reporting of the WHO Country office;
9. Deputize for and represents WR India at official meetings with the Government, National Counterparts, Donors, UN agencies and other stakeholders;
10. Build and foster partnerships with external public health partners with Member Stales and stakeholders at the country level to enable the development of strategic public health programmes;
11. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in Medicine, Public Health, Management, Social Sciences or related field.
Desirable: PhD in Public Health Management, Social Science or related field, specialized training in epidemiology, health management or public administration.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years’ professional experience in managing and developing technical public health programmes, including considerable experience obtained in an international context, in multilateral, bilateral or other institutions. Demonstrated experience managing diverse teams at international level.

Skills

• Ability to lead and manage large and diverse teams effectively;
• Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions;
• Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills by working harmoniously as a leader and member of a team, adapting to diverse educational, socio-political and cultural backgrounds and maintaining a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Ensuring effective use of resources
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of other UN language is an asset.

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 116,095 (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 3299 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.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• 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 [email protected]
• 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 [email protected].
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
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