Medical Officer, Maternal and Perinatal Health

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The World Health Organization's Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (SRH) includes the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP). HRP is the main instrument within the United Nations system for identifying research priorities on sexual and reproductive health and rights; for promoting, conducting, evaluating and coordinating related interdisciplinary research; for collaborating with countries to build national capacity to conduct research; and for promoting the use of research results in policy making and sexual and reproductive health programmes. The Department draws on research and global expertise to set norms and standards and develop global guidelines on sexual and reproductive health and rights. More information about SRH and HRP can be found at https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/en/ The Maternal and Perinatal Health Unit (MPH) is responsible for research and development, innovation, evidence synthesis, development of guidance and implementation tools, provision of specialized technical support to countries, and dissemination of information on evidence-based practices in maternal and perinatal health, including antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of the position is to provide scientific and technical leadership and implement activities related to research, research synthesis, knowledge exchange and transfer in maternal and perinatal health, with an emphasis on supporting antenatal and postnatal care research and development programmes. Specifically, the incumbent will:

1. Serve as technical and scientific reference in maternal and perinatal health amongst peers, Member States, cosponsors and other UN Agencies, non-state actors, and other stakeholders.
2. Develop research priorities, drawing on the scientific literature, recommendations of HRP advisory bodies, input from Member States and cosponsoring agencies, colleagues, managers and other stakeholders. Based on research priorities developed, the incumbent will develop short-term operational plans and longer-term strategic plans for research and development in this area.
3. Lead and oversee research activities, including:
   • the conceptualization and development of research protocols,
   • identification and recruitment of national partner research institutions,
   • conceptualization and production of research agreements,
   • organization of scientific meetings,
   • organization and facilitation of training workshops,
   • conducting research site monitoring visits,
   • collaborations with data management companies or organizations,
   • management of the network of institutions participating in the research projects,
   • analysis, write-up and publication of results,
   • evaluation of processes and results in preparation for subsequent research projects.
4. Strengthen the capacity of research centres to carry out high quality research that is compliant with generally accepted scientific and ethical standards.
5. Synthesize research evidence, carry out and commission systematic reviews of the literature in the field, provide input to evidence-based clinical and managerial guidelines.
6. Advise Member States, HRP cosponsors and other UN Agencies, non-state actors, and other stakeholders on scientific and technical matters, working in close collaboration with WHO Regional and Country Offices.
7. Prepare and clear technical progress reports for governing and advisory bodies, WHO reporting requirements, and donors.
8. Ensure adequate publication, conceptualize and draft manuscripts in the scientific literature of research outputs, and lead related communications activities to strengthen the dissemination, adaptation and use of WHO and HRP outputs by WHO Member States, working in close collaboration with the HRP communications team and the WHO Department of Communications.
9. Collaborate with governments, parliaments, NGOs, private sector and other senior-level stakeholders to generate and use evidence for increased access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
10. Lead fundraising activities for increased financial support for this programme of work.
11. Carry out other tasks, as required by the Unit Head and Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in medicine, with specialization in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Desirable: Ph.D. in public health, epidemiology, or another field related to maternal and perinatal health.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in maternal and perinatal health research and research management, including demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable: Working experience in a UN agency or an international non-governmental organization in low- and middle-income countries.

Skills

• Expert knowledge of maternal and perinatal health research designs especially clinical and implementation research and its public health aspects.
• Strong research, analytical and scientific writing skills, as evidenced by an extensive track record of peer-review scientific publication in the area of maternal and perinatal health.
• Fundraising knowledge and skills, as evidenced by previous success in mobilizing resources.
• Strong communication and diplomatic skills.

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.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Other UN 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 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 7364 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 E-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 short-listed candidates.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• 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.

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

• 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 Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

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