| The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. | |
| Vacancy Notice No: EURO/15/FT64 Title: Programme Manager, Joint Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis (JTH) Grade: P5 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract: Two years (*please see under additional information) | Date: 6 February 2015 Application Deadline: 28 February 2015 (13 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Copenhagen, Denmark Organization unit: EURO Europe Regional Office (EU/RGO) / EU/DCE Communicable Diseases, Health Security & Environment (EU/DCE) Joint Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis Programme (JTH) |
| OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO: All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. The nine point global health agenda contained in WHO's Twelfth General Programme of Work (2014-2019) includes: (i) Providing leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed; (ii) Shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge; (iii) Setting norms and standards, and promoting and monitoring their implementation; (iv) Articulating ethical and evidence‐based policy options; (v) Providing technical support, catalysing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity; (vi) Monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends. Mission of the WHO Regional Office for Europe: WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out. Objectives of the Division of Communicable Diseases, Health Security and Environment : (i) To assist countries in the Region to design, establish and run effective health programmes that are able to tackle the burden of communicable diseases, particularly, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, especially X/MDR-TB, viral hepatitis, influenza, malaria, vaccine-preventable diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, and to achieve/maintain regional elimination/eradication goals as for measles, rubella, malaria, and poliomyelitis; (ii) To improve health security across the WHO European Region by maintaining regional alert and response operations and assisting countries in developing disease surveillance systems, preparedness for, and response to public health emergencies, in line with the requirements of the International Health Regulations and specific country risks; (iii) To determine and monitor environmental risks to health as well as environmental determinant of health, and propose relevant research projects, health interventions and partnership to tackle the acute and long-term health impact of environmental changes, including climate change; (iv) To ensure, within EURO, the availability of state-of-the-art competency to provide high level technical support to Member States of the Region, in collaboration with Headquarters and in close partnership with relevant institutions of the Region; (v) To promote WHO leadership in communicable disease control, health security, and environment and health programmes, including through relevant regional initiatives and specific research projects. Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme): In collaboration with partners and under the relevant strategic frameworks the main objectives of the Joint Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis (JTH) Programme are to: - provide context-specific technical assistance to the Member States on TB M/XDR-TB, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis prevention, control and care; - provide access to evidence-based control policies, guidelines and standards; - optimize HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections and prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care outcomes; - pursue TB control through high quality DOTS expansion and enhancement; - support Member States in adapting control strategies within the context of strengthening health systems and patient-centred approaches; - assist Member States in monitoring and in the evaluation of national control programmes for HIV/AIDS, TB, M/XDR-TB and hepatitis; - foster bilateral, multilateral and multisectoral collaboration and partnership; - develop stronger linkages between tuberculosis, X/MDR-TB, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections control programmes and other health programmes and services particularly to drug dependence and harm reduction, sexual and reproductive health, and maternal, newborn and child health services; - address TB, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, TB/HIV co-infection, multidrug-resistant TB and the needs of poor and vulnerable populations; - reduce vulnerability and address structural barriers to accessing services; - leverage broader health outcome and contribute to health system strengthening based on primary health care and the engagement of all care providers; - empower people with TB, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, civil society and communities through partnership; - enhance advocacy, communication and social mobilization for improved control programmes; and - enable and promote research. To achieve this, the JTH Programme leads, coordinates and assists in technical and operational activities related to the above objectives by; collecting and analysing strategic information; driving the research agenda and generating evidence for action; providing technical support and normative guidance in designing Regional and national policies and implementing evidence-based interventions; promoting partnerships and advocating for sustained political commitment. | |
| Description of duties: Under the guidance of the Director of Communicable Diseases, Health Security & Environment, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities and achieve the following objectives: A. Core responsibilities as a Programme Manager: (i) To provide leadership and managerial oversight to the work of all Joint Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis (JTH) programme/project staff in regional and country offices; (ii) To establish, maintain and strengthen partnerships and mobilize resources to efficiently deliver services/products within country and inter country work plans; (iii) To be responsible for the allocation of budget and resources within country and inter country work plans in coordination with the Category Lead; (iv) To perform the general management of the programme's professional and general service staff, as first level supervisor (to include monitoring of workload, performance management and to establish mechanisms which ensure proper coordination within the team regarding travel, holidays), including, in liaison with the Heads of Country Office and technical programme staff based outside Copenhagen; (v) To regularly monitor and assess the performance of the technical programme through evaluation and reporting. B. Core responsibilities in assisting Member States in relation to Tuberculosis, X/MDR-TB, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections as part of country efforts to strengthen health systems include: (i) With the support of the relevant technical experts in the JTH Programme and in main partner institutions, dialogue with and advise policy makers on national plans and policies to ensure that policies do not perpetuate social injustices and inequities, nor increase inequalities in access to health services and in health outcomes; and that redefined responsibilities in health systems are shared in a coordinated and pluralistic manner across all stakeholders with clear lines of accountability and transparency, with special emphasis on tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis priorities; (ii) Manage and oversee development and implementation of innovative approaches, adapted to regional/country needs, in the prevention, control and management of tuberculosis, X/MDR-TB, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections; (iii) Oversee and mobilize expert technical advice and guidance for assisting national health authorities with the development of mechanisms, instruments and tools (i.e. national health strategies and policies, monitoring and evaluation, performance assessment and performance management and approaches to enhance effectiveness of stakeholder involvement); (iv) Oversee the development of mechanisms for performance assessment and performance management and approaches to enhance effectiveness of stakeholder involvement; (v) Advocacy, knowledge transmission and advice for the enhancement of the capacities and skills of health ministries in the area of disease surveillance, prevention and control; (vi) Contribute to attaining health system goals and strengthening public health capacities in MSs, by advocating for and supporting action across government and society to improve the health and well-being of populations, in line with WHO/Europe's Health 2020 policy framework. C. Core responsibilities in providing leadership and guidance in directing the advancement of the Joint Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis (JTH) Programme include: (i) Acting as the WHO EURO content expert and focal point for prevention, control and management of tuberculosis, X/MDR-TB, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections; (ii) Ensuring technical quality and competence in the JTH programme and be responsible for the overall timeliness and quality of all programme deliverables of both country and inter country work plans; (iii) Developing regional plans to implement global and regional prevention and control strategies and harnessing European and other experience and knowledge (e.g. including influencing other sectors to incorporate health concerns in their policies and enhance effectiveness of donor and other stakeholder involvement), documenting gaps therein for the definition of the research agenda on the subject matter; (iv) Ensuring consistency and cohesiveness with the WHO guidelines, approaches, and messages, contributing to the WHO normative function; (v) Coordinating international activities with relevant organizations and partners in the technical area; (vi) Managing the collection and synthesizing of relevant knowledge to build the evidence base for dissemination to Member States as required; (vii) Oversee the production of authoritative and relevant policy papers, and briefs on the subject matter; (viii) Documenting and rendering explicit the pros and cons of relevant policy options in terms of their implications and their impact on the level and distribution of health, responsiveness, and financial protection based on country experiences. | |
| REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS | |
| Education: Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in medicine, social sciences or public health or epidemiology. Desirable: Additional training in communicable disease prevention and control. Post graduate degree in public health and/or epidemiology. | |
| Skills: Competencies required: 1) Ensuring the effective use of resources - Establishes measures to monitor resources and progress of activities as planned. Monitors costs and seeks to use the most cost-effective methods. Identifies, organizes and effectively manages the financial and human resources needed to achieve results. Identifies priorities and defines realistic objectives and timelines. 2) Creating an empowering and motivating environment - Ability to provide staff with clear direction and support in meeting objectives. Provides staff with regular feedback, recognizes good performance and addresses performance issues. Motivates staff to achieve individual and team goals. Ability and willingness to work in a team with other health professionals and motivate people of different nationalities and cultures. 3) Producing results - Ability to produce high-quality results and workable solutions that meet client needs. Acts appropriately without prompting and makes things happen; handles problems effectively. 4) Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond - Ability to work collaboratively with team members and counter parts inside and outside the organization to achieve results. Encourages co-operation and builds rapport among fellow team members at all levels. Actively encourages people from different parts of the Organization to work together. 5) Communicating in a credible and effective way - Excellent writing ability, as reflected in a history of high-quality and concise technical reports. Excellent presentation skills, as reflected in a history of high quality technical and policy related presentations in international foray. Functional Skills and Knowledge: In depth knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries in the European Region would be an asset. Knowledge of the WHO and UN systems would be an asset. Other Skills: Knowledge of standard text, spreadsheet and presentation software applications required. | |
| Experience: Essential: At least ten years working experience in communicable diseases prevention and control of which at least 5 years at international levels, attaining senior managerial rank. Three to five years of practical experience in implementing or advising on key domains of tuberculosis and/or HIV/AIDS and/or hepatitis with particular emphasis in lower and middle income countries. Experience in management, planning, monitoring and programme evaluation. Desirable: Experience in advocacy and working with other national/international agencies active in the health sector and community-based organizations. | |
| Languages: Essential: A very good command of the English language. Desirable: Knowledge of other WHO and/or EURO Official languages is a strong asset. | |
| Additional Information: * Any extension of appointment is subject to a) satisfactory performance, b) continued need for the function, and c) availability of funds. Long-listed candidates may be contacted to sit a written test or presentation prior to final short-listing. This does not preclude a written test or presentation prior to final interview. Interviews will take place using a competency-based approach. Similar positions at the same grade may be filled using this vacancy notice. | |
| Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 80,887 at single rate USD 87,069 with primary dependants | |
| This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. | |
| 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. | |
