NPO (Public Health and Environment)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholderswithin the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy, to actively support the development and implementation of national healthpolicies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization ofaffordable and quality health services and improving the financial protectionagainst health-related risks.To collaborate with national authorities toimprove health and quality of life through promotion of environmental healthespecially in the areas of water supply and sanitation, chemical safety,occupational health, air pollution, climate change.To collaborate and support related areas ofwork such as prevention and control of water and sanitation linked diseases,burden of disease attributable to environmental factors, climate change,preparedness and response to chemical and radio-nuclear events and sustainabledevelopment.To liaise with other related teams such ascommunicable and non-communicable diseases, health through the life-course,food safety and health system development for coordination of various healthrelated activities.Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO WHO's mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying(i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainabledevelopment goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseasesand mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing theprovisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing accessto quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressingthe social, economic and environmental determinants of health.The South - East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO ismade up of 10 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India's populationof 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan,Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, SriLanka, Thailand and Timor Leste), share the common value of the highestattainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actionsare based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity andparticipation.The mission of WHO India is to improve qualityof life of the 1.4 billion people in India by supporting the government ineliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducingmaternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressingdeterminants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies andstrengthening health systems for universal health coverage.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under theoverall guidance of the WHO Representative, and the direct supervision of DeputyHead of WHO Country Office, and in collaboration with relevant technical unitsin the Country Office, the incumbent will perform the following duties: Providetechnical support to the country in planning, monitoring and evaluatingenvironmental health interventions with a focus on drinking water safety,sanitation and hygiene, air quality, climate change and health, health carewaste management, and the sound management of chemicals and pesticidesthroughout their life-cycle. Collaboratewith partners to develop national strategies and institutional capacities on primaryprevention interventions, particularly those related to the safety of drinkingwater, sanitation, waste management, occupational health and to mitigate thehealth impact of air pollution and climate change.Provide support toMinistry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) and other related Ministries,Government of India (GoI) for development of Strategies on EnvironmentalHealth, Water and Sanitation, air pollution, and climate change based onnational context.Advocate and facilitate inputs to the WHO/UNICEF Joint MonitoringProgramme (JMP), Global Analysis and Assessment of drinking water andsanitation (GLAAS), air pollution and climate change in the context ofsustainable development goal. Manage the Public Health and Environment workplan includingprioritisation, preparation of work plans, programme budget, implementation andmonitoring the progress of work.Advocate with MOHFW andline Ministries and Agencies on development of policies and implementation of drinkingwater safety and air quality monitoring and surveillance as appropriate.Supportcapacity-building of national program managers to promote safe water,sanitation, hygiene and sound waste management in the community, in health-carefacilities and in the workplace, and to support capacity-building in otherpriority areas of environmental health.Liaise with concerned National counterparts of the technicalunits/departments , WHO/SEARO and WHO/HQs, collaborate with other clusters inareas i.e. communicable and non-communicable diseases, family, gender andlife-course, health systems development for coordination of various healthrelated activities ;and with donors and developmentpartners (bilateral and UN) to harmonise recommendations on policies andstrategies relating to environmental health to ensure these are suitablyadopted to the Indian context;Promote development of studies and research on the environmental healthareas, including water, sanitation, air quality and climate change, in closecoordination and collaboration national authorities, WHO collaborating centres,national centers of excellence and national R&D institutions, disseminationof research information to all stakeholders.Coordinate and participate in inter-agency working groupmeetings/workshops and strengthen Inter-agency collaboration and liaise withexternal /donor agencies.Support information brokering/exchange function of WCO India throughcontributions to the health repository at the WCO India by collation, analysisand sharing of relevant information and statistics.Prepare technical reports, as necessary and perform any other duties as may be assigned by WR India and DWR.
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University Degree in environmental sciences such as water and sanitation and environmental engineering from a recognized University.
Desirable: Post graduate degree or training in Public Health or related field.
 

Experience

Essential: At least five (5) years of experience working in Public Health and Environment programme at national level.
Desirable: Experience of work in WHO or other UN Agencies in the areas of healthcare waste management, sound management of chemicals, climate change and health, water and sanitation.
 

Skills

The incumbent should identify with the core values of World HealthOrganization. Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard toadolescent health and development with good understanding of country's needs and priorities. Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelinesin the related areas. Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence.Leadership skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with governmentand colleagues in a team setting at national and international levels, to shareinformation and data and make oral and written presentations on technicalissues. Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network withnational authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors.Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context andability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment.Modern management skills including planning and evaluation. Capacity toprepare terms of reference and to prepare and monitor and manage theimplementation of contractual agreements. Capacity to convey information andoptions in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly.Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports. Knowledge of WHO /UN agencies programmes and practiceswill be an advantage.
 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Hindi.
Desirable: 

 

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at INR 4,926,329 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• 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 eManual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

• 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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