| The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. | |
| Vacancy Notice No: EMRO/14/FT520 Title: Technical Officer (PD 359164) Grade: P4 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract: Post of limited duration for two years | Date: 24 September 2014 Application Deadline: 15 October 2014 (21 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Cairo, Egypt Organization unit: EMRO Eastern Mediterranian Regional Office (EM/RGO) / EM/NMH Non Communicable Diseases and Mental Health (EM/NMH) Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders (MNS)/Substance Use Disorders (SUD) |
| 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 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: Purpose of the Post: To strengthen the ability of Member States to scale up prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. Organizational Context: Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator, Mental Health and the overall guidance of the Director of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, the incumbent will develop and implement the programme of the Substance Use Disorders unit. She/he will liaise and coordinate with other concerned units and programmes at WHO and initiate direct contact with relevant regional and national focal points for substance use disorders and other partners to provide needed support to Member States. The incumbent will be expected to work with sufficiently high level of independence on the projects (including the management of financial resources and project partnerships and collaboration agreements), exercise judgments concerning public health policies related to substance use and substance disorders and provide advice based on the available evidence and comprehensive situation assessment. To achieve the objectives of the programme, the incumbent will liaise with country offices of WHO, Ministries of Health, other Departments within EMRO, WHO Headquarters, and will collaborate with regional and national organizations and individuals outside WHO including regional and country offices of other international and UN organizations, NGOs, academics, WHO Collaborating Centers and other relevant entities. Summary of Assigned Duties: The incumbent will perform the following duties 1. Develop and manage the Substance Use Disorders team and the concerned programme of work. 2. Assess the current regional situation of substance use and substance use disorders. 3. Develop a strategic approach allowing Member States to scale up prevention and treatment for substance use disorders. 4. Provide technical advice to Member States, as requested, in developing national strategies and action plans on reducing health consequences of substance use, and provision of quality services to people with substance use disorders. 5. 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. 6. Provide technical guidance to Member States in the development of surveillance and monitoring systems for substance use. 7. Provide technical 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. 8. Foster collaboration and partnerships with other EMRO programmes and initiatives in the area of substance use and public health. 9. Draft and revise technical documents, briefing notes, meeting reports, information products and content of EMRO web-site related to work under the incumbent's responsibility, as appropriate. The following main achievements are expected: - Establish collaborations and partnerships within and outside the organizations to implement the regional agenda for prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. - Guide Member States to: 1. Develop and implement evidence informed policies and legislation; 2. Develop/Strengthen surveillance and monitoring systems; 3. Strengthen the health systems response, and particularly services, to the public health problems related to substance use. | |
| REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS | |
| Education: Essential: University degree in Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology with a Master's degree in Public Health or Epidemiology. Desirable: Medical degree and post-graduate qualification or specialized training in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder/addiction medicine. | |
| Skills: Competencies: 1. Producing results; 2. Fostering integration and teamwork; 3. Promoting WHO's position in health leadership; 4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond; 5. Communicating in a credible and effective way Functional Skills and Knowledge: - Expert knowledge of: o International policy frameworks for reduction of public health problems related to substance use. o Psychosocial and epidemiological aspects of alcohol and substance use and relevant policy responses. - Demonstrated ability to: o Provide expert advice on the development and implementation of policies and programmes in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. o Plan and conduct capacity building activities in the area of substance use. o Work effectively in the field, under constraints and meet deadlines. - Excellent communication and presentation skills as well as proposal and report writing and data analysis. Other Skills: Proficiency in MS Office. | |
| Experience: Essential: At least 7 years of relevant experience combined at the national and international levels in the assessment, development and implementation of policies, strategies and action plans for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. Desirable: Working experience in developing countries as well as with UN organizations and NGOs working in the field of substance use. | |
| Languages: Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of Arabic and/or French is an asset. | |
| Additional Information: - Applicants are kindly requested to pay attention to the screening questions as they will be used to screen out unqualified candidates. - Only qualified applicants with the relevant experience will be considered. - A written test/presentation and interviews will be used as a form of screening. The written test might be used as an eliminatory tool. - Interviews will include competency-based questions. - Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice (this could be the base for rosters). | |
| Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 67611.00 at single rate USD 72605.00 with primary dependants | Post Adjustment: % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation. |
| This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. | |
| A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening | |
| Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures. | |
| 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. | |
| WHO is committed to workforce diversity. | |
| Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. | |
