SSA - NCD Prevention and Management Officer

Qualifications

Overview of the Programme

WHO works with national authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on the principle of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ‘leaving no one behind’. WHO actions are ingrained in the 14th General Programme of Work (GPW14) with its 3-prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage (UHC). WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.

WHO Country Office in Uzbekistan (WCO/UZB) collaborates with the Government of Uzbekistan and relevant national and international stakeholders and partners. Within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy, WCO/UZB supports the development and implementation of Uzbekistan’s national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at the overall health systems strengthening and progressed towards achieving UHC. It delivers technical cooperation through practical, actionable and country-focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a ‘whole-of-society’ and ‘whole-of-government’ endeavor.

WHO supports the Government of Uzbekistan in advancing NCD prevention and control through health promotion, risk factor reduction, early detection, quality clinical care, patient self-management support and evidence-informed policy development, with a particular focus on improving diabetes outcomes. Integration of NCD services into PHC aims to ensure timely diagnosis, effective management, continuity of care and prevention of complications, while contributing to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and better population health outcomes.

Purpose of Technical Support

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical support to the Government of Uzbekistan in strengthening the prevention and control of noncommunicable (NCDs) diseases through an integrated primary health care approach, with particular emphasis on diabetes. Working in close collaboration with WHO staff and experts, the Ministry of Health and national counterparts, the NCD Officer will support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities aimed at improving the quality of NCD care, strengthening patient self-management support and promoting integrated and evidence-informed policy implementation. The incumbent will contribute to technical cooperation, stakeholder engagement, capacity-building, knowledge generation and programme monitoring to support the achievement of national NCD targets and improve health outcomes.

Key Duties

A: More integrated and evidence-informed policy implementation

• Support the review, implementation and monitoring of action plans related to diabetes and NCD prevention and control by collecting, analysing and synthesising programme data, evidence and best practices to support policy development and decision-making.
• Monitor and evaluate systems for diabetes programmes, including tracking progress against national and international indicators.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, briefing notes and other knowledge products.
• Document policy dialogues, technical consultations, expert meetings and stakeholder coordination mechanisms.
• Provide technical input to the Ministry of Health, development partners, academic institutions, professional associations and civil society organizations to advance integrated diabetes and NCD programming.
• Draft donor reports, organize technical missions and disseminate evidence and lessons learned to support sustainable programme implementation.

B: Improved quality of NCD care in PHC and strengthened patient self-management

• Support the implementation of evidence-based NCD prevention, screening, diagnosis and management interventions within primary health care services, with particular emphasis on diabetes.
• Endorse and implement WHO recommendations, clinical protocols and national guidelines, and support capacity-building activities for PHC teams on integrated NCD care.
• Support the work of national working group for integration of multidisciplinary, people-centred models of care, quality improvement initiatives and the integration of NCD services into routine PHC delivery by contributing to organizing the meetings, drafting, incorporating WHO feedback and finalizing meetings’ related documents and keeping track of agreed action points.
• Provide technical input in the development and implementation of patient education, health literacy and self-management support interventions, including behaviour change, treatment adherence, peer support and community engagement initiatives.
• Monitor programme implementation by identifying challenges and opportunities through field visits and counterparts consultations, and document good practices, lessons learned and innovations in NCD service delivery and patient-centred care, particularly for diabetes.
• Collect and use data and evidence to improve clinical practice, patient outcomes and programme performance.

C. Support to health workforce strengthening

• Prepare materials for capacity-building activities for health professionals involved in the prevention and management of NCDs, including family doctors, nurses and other primary health care providers.
• Identify and document the workforce-related challenges and opportunities affecting NCD service delivery, including competencies, training needs and service organization.
• Prepare technical materials, briefing notes, reports, meeting summaries and other documentation related to NCD and diabetes program implementation.

Educational and experience requirements

Education

Essential: University degree in Public Health, Medicine, Health Policy, Health Systems, Development Studies, International Relations, Public Policy, Political Science or another relevant field

Desirable: Advance degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the areas above

Experience

Essential:

•          At least two years of relevant professional experience in NCD prevention and management, public health, health systems strengthening, health policy, PHC strengthening or a related area
•          Experience in supporting coordination and implementation of projects and programs in NCD prevention and management, integrated PHC care or public health reforms
•          Experience in reviewing and preparing technical documents on NCD management, PHC reforms, health systems strengthening or related issues
•          Experience in planning, organizing and facilitating meetings, events, workshops for national audience.

Desirable:

•          Experience working with WHO, UN agency, national or international organization.
•          Experience in public health policy mainstreaming.

Technical skills and knowledge

•          In-depth understanding of health systems reforms in Uzbekistan
•          Familiarity with key national partners working on NCD prevention and management, PHC reforms, health systems strengthening in Uzbekistan
•          Knowledge of WHO policies and approaches on NCD prevention and management, health systems strengthening and integrated PHC care is an asset.
•          Good coordination and engagement skills
•          Ability to support planning, implementation and monitoring of multi-partners activities
•          Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse counterparts
•          Strong drafting, analytical and presentation skills
•          Competency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or similar software

Language

Essential: Fluency in Uzbek and English

Desirable: Good knowledge of Russian

Competences

•          Communication
•          Teamwork
•          Producing results
•          Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
•          Technical expertise

Details of the proposed position

•          This role is subject to local recruitment. Only nationals of Uzbekistan are eligible to apply.
•          Contract duration: 12 months, with the possibility of an extension subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and the need for the role.
•          Remuneration: USD 3,000 per month (net). This would be USD150 per day which corresponds to UNCT rates for similar type of work and aligns with the local market rates in Uzbekistan.

Additional Information

·         This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar special services agreements at the same level.

·         Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

·         A written test may be used as a form of screening.

·         In the event your candidature is retained for 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.

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·         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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

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