Team Leader (Communicable Diseases)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans for strengthening the work in the area of Communicable Diseases. The WCO-India programme of work supports the GOI in: Providing technical support in developing national policies, strategies and programs activities in the area of Communicable Diseases and prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).Contributing to strengthening the monitoring of the prevention and elimination of Communicable Diseases as public health problem. Facilitating the adoption of evidence-based public health interventions in relevant areas and well as the transitioning of existing programs and health systems reforms and changes with a view to promote equity and accelerate the movement towards Universal Health Coverage.

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 sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health. The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.9 billion people, with India's population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste) share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.4 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India (WR-India), and direct supervision of the Deputy Head of WHO Country Office (D-WR), with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India biennial workplans in accordance with WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India, the incumbent will lead WCO-India team working on communicable diseases and AMR and will have the following responsibilities:

1. Provide technical leadership and managerial support to the WHO Country office team working on Communicable Diseases and AMR, facilitate the development and the implementation of the relevant work plans under the WHO-GOI collaborative programme while promoting the integration of health programmes with health systems approaches and ensure the monitoring and evaluation of related activities.

2. Promote the generation of evidence on communicable diseases and AMR and contribute to informed policy decisions by government and provide cutting edge policy advice. Help improve the information system on communicable diseases / AMR and the monitoring of progress towards UHC and facilitate its integration into the national health information system.

3. Provide technical assistance and support for the development and adaptation to the country context of the relevant WHO's normative materials (including the production and/or adaptation of reports, guidelines, SOPs).

4. Liaise and coordinate with concerned technical units/ departments of MOH&FW, WHO/SEARO and WHO/HQ and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) to harmonise recommendations on policies and strategies related to Communicable Diseases and AMR and advocate for intersectoral actions to address determinants.

5. Provide strategic advice to MOHFW on elimination, and control of several communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Neglected Tropical Diseases (including Vector-borne Diseases), etc.

6. Advise in strengthening and integrating, innovative private sector engagement models, research and innovations in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of Communicable Diseases.

7. Ensure technical quality and relevance of contractual engagements with partners and institutions, make recommendations to the supervisors regarding WHO's support.

8. Collaborate with MOH&FW and selected states in undertake gap analyses and support capacity building efforts in these deficient areas to ensure that priorities are fulfilled.

9. Contribute to evaluating the impact of WHO's collaboration with India (aggregated and area specific) and to developing evaluation tools (e.g., defining the necessary performance indicators).

10. Support information brokering/exchange function of WCO India through contributions to the health information repository at the WCO India by collation, analysis and sharing of relevant health information and statistics.

11. Contribute to the external partnerships, representation, communication and advocacy work of the WCO India aimed at improving health system transparency and accountability.

12. Prepare administrative and technical reports and presentations and undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Medical degree from a recognized university and post-graduate in public health.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in infectious diseases or epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of relevant experience including considerable experience obtained in an international context with progressive responsibility in Public Health and Communicable diseases and policy analyses and advice as well as in technical assistance to countries, including capacity building, evidence generation and evaluation.
Desirable: At least five (5) years of experience of work in UN and/or other International organizations.

Skills

• The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization.
• Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard to Communicable diseases with good understanding of relevant country's needs and priorities, issues and policies. Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas.
• Good knowledge of the administrative functioning of government institutions and related departments/agencies, and of the other partners in India.
• Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence. Public health leadership skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and international levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical issues. Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors. Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment.
• Modern management skills (team management, performance management, planning evaluation, etc.). Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare and monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements. Capacity to convey information and options 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 practices will be an advantage.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 92,731 (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 2906 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

• 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 Manual.

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

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The 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. The 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 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 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 an international post with WHO are subject to 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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