Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To lead, inspire, and strategically direct all programmes in the newly established Department of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control (HPD). This includes oversight of regional actions to prevent and manage communicable and noncommunicable diseases, promote mental health and substance use interventions, and address social, economic, and commercial determinants of health. Thereby, strengthening WHO's collective impact in advancing health promotion and disease control priorities across the Eastern Mediterranean Region, ensuring alignment with WHO's General Programme of Work, the Regional Flagship Initiatives, and the Regional Director's Vision. The objectives of the Programme on Mental Health, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders (MNS) in EMRO are to guide Member States in the development, adaptation and implementation of evidence-informed policies, plans, legislations and interventions aimed at the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental, neurological and substance use disorders, delivery of services based on best practices and standards of care and promoting recovery, and observance of human rights in an inter and multisectoral milieu.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

1.      Support Member States in developing and implementing evidence-informed policies, legislations, national strategies and action plans, surveillance and monitoring systems, related to mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

2.      Provide technical support and advice to civil society organizations and other entities, as appropriate, on issues related to the public health problems associated with mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including Suicide prevention.

3.      Support member states to strengthen coordination, international collaboration, implementation mechanisms, and communication for effective implementation of the WHO EMRO Flagship initiative on “Accelerating public health action on substance use”.

4.      Support countries in the implementation of the regional action plan on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in emergencies 2024-2030.

5.      Draft and assist with the preparation of project proposals to regional/national and global donors to enhance health system response to mental health and substance use disorders.

6.      Foster collaboration and partnerships with other EMRO programmes and initiatives to enhance the implementation of the mental health and brain health-related action plans and substance use flagship initiative.

7.      Support Member States' activities related to the implementation of the global action plan on the public health response to dementia, the suicide prevention initiative, and the implementation of anti-stigma programmes.

8.      Support Member States to establish or strengthen MNS monitoring and surveillance systems.

9.      Prepare and revise technical documents, briefing notes, meeting reports, information products and content of the EMRO website related to work under the incumbent's responsibility, as appropriate.
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Masters degree in psychiatry, or Clinical Psychology from a recognized institution.
Desirable: Doctorate, certification in the area of mental health and substance use disorder/addiction medicine.
 

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of relevant experience with international exposure in the development and implementation of policies, strategies and action plans in the area of prevention and treatment of mental health conditions and substance abuse across developmental and humanitarian settings.
Desirable: Working experience in developing countries as well as UN bodies and NGOs working in the field of mental health conditions and substance use.
 

Skills

Expert knowledge of: International policy frameworks for reducing public health problems related to mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Psychosocial and epidemiological aspects of mental health, alcohol and substance use and relevant policy responses.

Demonstrated ability to: Provide expert advice and technical assistance to countries on the development and implementation of policies and programmes in the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Plan and conduct capacity building activities in the area of mental health, alcohol and substance use. Assess, evaluate and incorporate new evidence, information and experiences into development of technical advice and information products. Participate effectively in teamwork and meet expectations and deadlines to work effectively in the field and under constraints Demonstrated skills in: Proposal and report writing. Data interpretation and analysis. Effective communication including presentation skills.
 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Promoting innovation and organizational learning
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic or French.

 

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 86,027 (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 2072 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

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, 
  please ensure that: 
  1 -Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated. 
  2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education, training and experience are provided under relevant 
  sections. 
  3- Your experience records are properly entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. 
  - Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: 
  https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/enhanced-who-global-competency-model

• 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.

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• 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.

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