OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal health coverage/Communicable and non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda in Africa, and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control. This approach is underpinned by the guiding principles of comprehensive whole of society, people-centered, integrated approaches to disease control. The comprehensive whole of society approaches to disease control involves: (a) coherent implementation of triple response – technical response: implementing diseases specific normative guidance, promoting intervention mixes and deploying medical commodities; health systems response: building capacities of district service delivery systems in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and sector/subsector planning; and multi-sectoral response: addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of diseases through mobilizing non-health sectors, communities and stakeholders; (b) disease control partnership of public and private sectors, health and non-health sectors; and (c) community involvement in targeted high risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards. The people centered, integrated approaches to disease control involves: (a) integrated guidance on disease control for each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone disease specific guidance; and (b integrated and efficient disease control investments in strengthening the capacity of appropriate health services delivery platforms through deployment of appropriate technologies and analytics to guide stratification of disease risks across population groups in order to develop and deploy comprehensive packages of interventions appropriate to each targeted population group and health service delivery platform, as well as monitor population access, coverage and impact to leave no one behind. The specific objectives of the UCN cluster to which the NCD programme contributes, are to: (i) provide leadership on disease control coordination, partnership and resource mobilization; (ii) contribute to the development of WHO disease control technical products, services and tools including adoption of new technologies and innovations; (iii) support generation and use of strategic information for action and decision making including optimizing investment; and (iv) provide or facilitate provision of technical support in deployment of WHO technical products and services and institutional capacity building, including support to national disease programmes and regulatory authorities.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION Filling the position of Team Leader, NCD Programme is a major priority in moving the UCN strategic agenda forward. The incumbent will lead the WHO AFRO response to the multiple epidemics of NCDs in the region with a focus on contributing to the attainment of the 2030 SDGs targets for NCDs in the region. Specifically, the incumbent will provide transformational leadership in the development and implementation of the UCN/NCD programme. This will include developing appropriate NCD and collaborative initiatives towards the UCN strategic agenda. Further, the incumbent will facilitate coordination for the development and implementation of regional policies, strategies, programmes and activities. These activities will contribute to building and strengthening the capacity of countries to improve access to integrated health services for NCD. This will be achieved in a context of strengthened and resilient health systems, contributing to attaining UHC and other health related SDG targets. The incumbent will lead the NCD Team in promoting a cohesive approach and driving integration of appropriate NCD interventions along with other communicable and noncommunicable diseases interventions, into national health systems of member states. Population sub-groups will be targeted across the life course. S/he will be responsible for initiating and sustaining collaboration with the other UHC/UCN teams and with the UHC/LC, UHC/HP, EPR and ARD Clusters for developing tools and approaches to ensure coordinated and integrated guidance, capacity building and technical support for integrated delivery of NCD services in countries. In keeping with the goal of promoting working across organizational boundaries, the incumbent will engage in cross-cluster collaboration to drive integration of appropriate interventions across disease specific programmes into district health systems using people-centred approaches. S/he will also mobilize partnerships with national and regional institutions, including academia, professional associations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector; and with international partners and regional technical resource networks for concerted actions and financial resources within countries and in the region. S/he will have a strong scientific background, with a track record of research published in peer reviewed journals. This will include the ability to network with academic and other institutions across the region. The focus of the position will be on delivering measurable outcomes, through a comprehensive understanding of programmatic and systemic approaches. The incumbent will have the ability to understand and implement monitoring and evaluation metrics and analysis to ensure results-driven performance and outcomes within the programme. S/he will be expected to generate and translate into actions new ideas and initiatives for NCD control in the WHO African region.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
The incumbent is expected to contribute towards:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education Essential Medical degree, with post-graduate training in Public Health, or Epidemiology.
Desirable Specialization in one of the five major NCDs from an accredited /recognized institute.
Experience Essential A minimum of ten (10) years’ progressive experience in developing, designing and implementing public health programmes, including NCDs, with a minimum of 5 years inclusive at the international level in Low and/or Middle-Income countries;
Desirable Work experiences that are diverse, incorporating private sector, NGOs, other UN, or governmental Health related agencies will be an advantage.Knowledge of national, regional, and global partnerships and networks. Extensive experience, with a result focuses approach, in prevention and control of diseases.
Use of Language Skills Essential: Excellent knowledge of English and/or French with a good working knowledge of the other. Working knowledge of Portuguese is desirable.
Desirable: Functional Knowledge and Skills Extensive experience in thought leadership, problem solving approaches, and use of the logical framework in health programme development; Extensive knowledge of policies, strategies and programme interventions related to multisectoral response to NCDs, Mental and Neurologic Disorders (MNDs), and alcohol and substance use, while promoting human rights, gender and equity, and protecting public health from commercial interests; Mastery and broad knowledge of at least one related discipline and approaches (cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, mental, neurological and substance use disorders, alcoholism and drug addiction); Demonstrated expertise in strategic and multisectoral planning; research; performance monitoring, as applied to programmes and reporting; extensive knowledge and skills in use of data and information for decision-making and strategic planning; track record of recognizing and addressing changing conditions; Working knowledge of WHO rules and procedures, mandates, strategies and action plans (global, regional and country-specific); Budgeting and financial management; partnership and resource mobilization; communication and people management; Ability to exercise leadership and to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels.
WHO Competencies Promoting the Organization’s position in Health Leadership Building and Promoting Partnerships across the Organization and Beyond Creating an empowering and motivating environmentPromoting Innovation and Organizational Learning Teamwork