Job Title: Senior Project Officer
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations (UN) system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
About Tobacco Programme:
The objectives of the tobacco control programme in WHO is to reduce the global burden of disease and death caused by tobacco, thereby protecting present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. This is accomplished through providing global policy leadership; encouraging mobilization at all levels of society; and promoting full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). The tobacco control programme in AFRO seeks to influence national and international efforts to achieve tobacco control policies that are pro-public health, and also to increase the ability of Member States to manage the opportunities related to implementation of the WHO FCTC. The World Health Organization is the recipient of a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant to implement sustainable tobacco control capacity building, and to work with Member States in the Region to promote tobacco-control oriented policy change.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: Under the broad guidance and direct supervision of the AFRO Regional Advisor for Tobacco Control, the incumbent provides effective and cooperative leadership, expertise, and advice to a select group of Member States in the Region.
- Offers strategic assistance and leadership to Phase II of the African Tobacco Control Project, as funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Works in liaison with relevant Member States in the Region to advance tobacco control policy change, in accordance with the deliverables of the Project.
- Builds credibility, identifies opportunities and creates linkages between AFRO, Member States in the Region and external partners to lay the foundation for secondments, technical and human resources exchanges aimed at increasing tobacco control capacity in the Region.
- Identifies, pursues and coordinates resources mobilization opportunities to continue the work, functions and technical capacity building support at country-level.
- Offers expertise and technical leadership and direction, as agreed with the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), to ensure smooth cooperation and partnership with the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa (CTCA).
- Makes sure that work plans and budgets for the Project are prepared in a timely manner and are up to date.
- Coordinates the preparation of technical and financial reports to BMGF as per the grant agreement.
- Models an Organizational image of creative planning and robust performance assessment.
- Perform any other appropriate duties and functions, as required by the AFRO Regional Advisor for Tobacco Control.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the United Nations WHO job opportunity should possess an advanced degree in public health, administration or policy or other relevant field in tobacco control.
- Additional training or diploma in business administration or management or relevant hands-on experience.
- At least ten years’ experience in high-level public health programmatic policy and management at national and international levels, including experience at the international level in a governmental, academic or international organization or institution. Working experience in the African Region.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in multi-partner project management.
- Proven ability to manage and implement complex programmes in developing countries, preferably in resource-limited settings.
- Excellent track record in national or international health planning and promoting consensus. Ability to communicate and write in a clear and concise manner.
- Possess the ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.
- Proven ability to work across disciplines.
- Tact, discretion and diplomacy.
- Ability to work under tight deadlines and on a results oriented basis.
- Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions.
- Computer literacy skills are required
- Proven experience in implementing multi-country, large scale public health programmes in developing countries, using best practices and building partnerships.
- Significant experience working cross-sectorally.
- Some experience in non-communicable disease prevention, preferably focused on tobacco control.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the WHO FCTC, related instruments, implementation and institutions.
- Past exposure and experience in WHO, with a broad understanding of the Organization’s mandate and work in the field of tobacco control.
- Excellent track record in consensus building and enlisting cooperation.
- Possess the ability to persuasively communicate scientific and policy issues at various occasions (e.g., meetings with governments, policy makers, press conferences, seminars and conferences).
- Confidence, innovativeness and strong organizational skills with capacity to handle stress while working on multiple tasks simultaneously. Strong interpersonal skills; enjoys working collaboratively with others from a range of disciplines and cultures.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of English or French with good working knowledge of the other language.
How to Apply for the job:
All candidates who so desire to join the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) by sending their online applications to enable WHO to store their personal profiles in a permanent database. Visit WHO’s e-Recruitment website below and follow the instructions for online application procedures.
Click Here
NB: All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
Deadline: 27th October 2014
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