Technical Officer, (Emerging technologies - Foresight)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Research for Health Department sits within the Science Division. The overall mission of the Science Division is to harness the power of science and innovation to improve health in a systematic way, by ensuring the excellence, relevance, and efficiency of WHO's core technical functions, including norms and standards, and research. Within this Division, the specific purpose of the Research for Health department is to accelerate the impact of ethical, evidence-based research for people's health. Its mandate is structured around three key roles: l) to provide leadership on matters related to the impact of research on people's health around the world; 2) to ensure that ethics is central to WHO's recommendations to countries, to public health programmes and for clinical practice, with the aim of maximizing benefits while mitigating risks;3)to secure the overall efficiency and impact of the WHO research process. The Research for Health Department is made up of three units: (l) Emerging technologies, research prioritization & support, (2) Health ethics & governance, and (3) Evidence to policy and impact.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

• Conduct the programme management and coordinate the foresight workstream to identify emerging trends and technologies with relevance for global health and support the R&D optimization workstream, ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively, adhering to WHO procedures including as they pertain to confidentiality of information where appropriate.
• Manage the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize the performance of deliverables.

Specific Duties:

• Coordinate the Emerging Technologies Foresight work plan: proposing and implementing key deliverables with a prioritization approach, contributing to positioning foresight within WHO SCI and beyond as a core central function.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement horizon scanning or similar approaches for the identification of trends and technologies with future relevance for global health.
• Identify key trends and emerging technologies for cross-organization coordination to provide guidance on research and development for accelerated, equitable access of the emerging technologies.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the EPS Unit working on the responsible use of life sciences and biorisk mitigation, to apply foresight approaches to anticipate and mitigate biorisks associated with emerging technologies.
• The Technical Officer will perform project management duties to ensure milestones are met and monitor and evaluate the implementation of the activities.
• The Technical Officer will record learnings from the implementation of the new process, and work to integrate in a sustainable and efficient way those learnings.
• Under the guidance of the Unit Head, the Technical Officer will coordinate interactions between the Research for Health department and the other relevant departments within the Organization, and the external partners.
• Represent the programme areas of work at various meetings.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An advanced level university degree (Masters level or above) in health sciences, public health or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of seven years experience working in R&D-related programmes and/or emerging technologies related to global health.
• Experience in application of strategic foresight in R&D, biomedical sciences, or global health.
  

Desirable:

• Experience shaping R&D for the benefit of global health.
• Experience in the domain of biorisk mitigation and dual-use research.
• Experience in WHO.

Skills

• Strong scientific knowledge across a range of health technologies.
• Strong skills in writing and drafting policy and reports on Public Health activities.
• Strong skills in project management with a sound understanding of work planning and management of financial resources.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including.
• Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of other WHO language.

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 77,326 (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 5806 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.
• 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 workforce. 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.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• WHO also offers a 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.
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• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• 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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