Technical Officer (Access to Assistive Technologies)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Provide technical support to Pacific Island Countries and areas to strengthen their health systems to expand effective coverage of rehabilitation, vision and hearing services, including expanding access to assistive products. Engage multisectoral stakeholders, including service users, to enable a coordinated, efficient and person-centred approach to policy, planning and service delivery. Mobilize human and fiscal resources to further advance rehabilitation, vision and hearing in the Pacific. Support and engage with regional bodies and initiatives to build Pacific capacity and health sector leadership for rehabilitation, vision and hearing, including assistive technology.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic duties

• Develops and proposes innovative technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the rehabilitation, vision and hearing services for strengthening and improving technical capacity of target clienteles.
• Manages the subunit area of work in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a small team of technical staff, to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
• Develops and monitors work plans and budgets for the team's activities and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.
• Analyses data and information on best practices in implementing sustainable public health programmes and disseminates information.
• Manages research activities and the implementation of the subunit's activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
• Conducts monitoring and evaluation of the specific field of work and conducts timely reporting for decision makers.
• Provides technical guidance and works closely with counterparts in technical departments across the Organization and liaises with counterparts in partner UN Agencies, Donors and other stakeholders to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to Public health and the facilitation of successful implementation of national and/or global health programmes.
• Upon delegation represents WHO at various meetings.

• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Specific duties

• Provides technical support, upon request, in the evaluation, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation and implementation of priority activities for vision, hearing and rehabilitation in Pacific Island Countries.
   

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree in medicine, rehabilitation science, public health or similar discipline related to the functions of the position.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the management of health systems, specifically in the areas of rehabilitation, vision and/or hearing services, including experience in the development of health policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable: Relevant experience working with ministries of health, regional organizations, and development partners. Experience with interventions and products associated with rehabilitation, vision and/or hearing services. Experience engaging with service and product users, including through organizations of persons with disabilities. Experience in the Pacific region is highly desirable.

Skills

• Sounds skills in the management of public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies.
• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.
• Good skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, donor institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
   

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of 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 2480 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.

• 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical 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 shws@who.int.

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Qualifications

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