Technical Officer (Substance Use Disorders)

Position no. 359154

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objectives of the Programme on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders (MNS) in EMRO are to guide Member States in the development, adaptation and implementation of evidence-informed policies, plans, legislations and interventions aimed at the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental, neurological and substance use disorders, delivery of services based on best practices and standards of care and promoting recovery, and observance of human rights in an inter and multi-sectoral milieu.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Assess the current regional situation of substance use and substance use disorders and develop a strategic approach to assist Member States in prevention and treatment for substance use disorders in line with the regional framework to strengthen public health action on the problem of substance use. Enhance the capacities of Member States to develop and implement-evidence informed policies and legislations and strengthen the health systems response to public health problems related to substance use. Provide technical support and advice to Member States in developing national strategies and action plans on reducing health consequences of substance use, scaling up evidence-based interventions for the prevention of substance use disorders, and provision of quality services to people with substance use disorders across the continuum of care. Plan, develop, implement and monitor building capacity activities at country and regional levels to respond to public health problems attributable to substance use and substance use disorders. Support Member States in the development of surveillance and monitoring systems for substance use. Provide technical support and advice to civil society organizations and other entities, as appropriate, on the issues related to reduction of the public health problems associated with substance use. Foster collaboration and partnerships with other EMRO programmes and initiatives in the area of substance use and public health. Prepare and revise technical documents, briefing notes, meeting reports, information products and content of EMRO website related to work under the incumbent's responsibility, as appropriate.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (Master's Degree), or an equivalent, in Clinical Psychology or Psychiatry from a recognized institution.
Desirable: Doctorate, certification or specialized training in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder/addiction medicine.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of relevant experience with international exposure in the development and implementation of policies, strategies and action plans in the area of prevention and treatment of substance abuse
Desirable: Working experience in developing countries as well as UN bodies and NGOs working in the field of substance use.

Skills

Expert knowledge of: International policy frameworks for reduction of public health problems related to substance use. Psychosocial and epidemiological aspects of alcohol and substance use and relevant policy responses. Demonstrated ability to: Provide expert advice and technical assistance to countries on the development and implementation of policies and programmes in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. Plan and conduct capacity building activities in the area of alcohol and substance use. Assess, evaluate and incorporate new evidence, information and experiences into development of technical advice and information products. Participate effectively in team work and meet expectations and deadlines. Work effectively in the field and under constraints Demonstrated skills in: Proposal and report writing. Data interpretation and analysis. Effective communication including presentation skills.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic and French.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

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 2288 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
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application,
  please ensure that:
  1 -Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.
  2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education, training and experience are provided under relevant
  sections.
  3- Your experience records are properly entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.
  - Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:
  https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/enhanced-who-global-competency-model

• 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.

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

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