Technical Officer (Maternal, Newborn, and Reproductive Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To assist Member States in developing whole-of-society approaches to address health and human development needs throughout different stages of the life course, in improving health of newborns, children, adolescents and adults of reproductive age by ensuring universal access to quality, evidence-based promotive, preventive and life-saving interventions at all levels of the health care delivery system and ensuring appropriate linkages to community resources.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of Coordinator Health Systems and overall guidance of the Head of the WHO country office, within the delegated authority and under general guidance from the supervisor and in collaboration with other specialists at HQs and in other offices the specialist will independently manage a range of Reproductive Health strengthening programmes in Solomon Islands including maintaining good relations with national counterparts, multiple stakeholders from professional agencies to United Nations agencies, from development banks and other donors and funding agencies to establish collaborative and consultative models of policy dialogue and resource mobilization.

• Provide specialist technical support to the office in the area of Maternal, Newborn and Reproductive Health.
• Provide technical and policy support to Member States to strengthen the national health systems from development, implementation and monitoring of maternal, newborn and child health interventions in partnership with other collaborating.
• Develop or propose amendments to national strategies and policies through collaboration with the national authorities and recommend health development initiatives in the areas of health systems strengthening, partnership building and improvements in the planning and management of existing health systems for reduction of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in the countries.
• Promote making Pregnancy Safer and related behaviour changes and formulate reproductive health policies.
• Conduct research on reproductive health across the life cycle research.
• Advocate for and engage in capacity building in the area of Reproductive health and the related areas.
• Serve as a technical resource to the public concerning sustainable health systems that contribute to improve maternal, newborn child health and related programmes and services. Respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.
• Conduct a variety of community outreach activities concerning the extension of health-care networks for improved maternal, newborn and child health systems.
• Closely collaborate with national counterparts, technical departments at HQ and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to Reproductive health systems and resolve issues or concerns.
• Closely collaborate with the donor; especially KOICA and strengthen the communication and timely reporting of the project activities.
• Develop proposals for seeking funding for new projects and work programmes.
• Represent WHO at various meetings.
• Provide technical inputs, oversight and monitoring of implementation of ongoing large projects
• Strongly support regional initiatives such as Early Essential Newborn Care to maximize their impact in the country
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Essential: Advanced university degree in medicine, public health or alike, with a specialization in pediatrics, obstetrics, reproductive health or a related field of relevance to the position profile.

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/

Experience
Essential: At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience, including relevant international exposure, in reproductive health; developing capacity and policies linked to high quality maternal, newborn, and reproductive health care programmes. Within this experience, demonstrated professional experience working at the country and/or regional level on reproductive health initiatives as well as providing technical advice and services to national counterparts and other external partners.

Desirable: Experience working with/for KOICA.

Skills

• Good knowledge of country level situations with regard to reproductive health systems development and management with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
• Ability to conduct research and analyse results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Good knowledge of Maternal, newborn and child health care systems and safety regulations.
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• Team spirit and time management skills.

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:who-enhanced-competence.pdf

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

Expert knowledge of English in required.
Intermediate knowledge of French is desirable.

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 4266 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 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.
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