Programme Manager (Assistive Health Technology), Geneva

Closing date: Wednesday, 25 March 2015

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.

Vacancy Notice No: HQ/15/HQ/FT110

Title: Programme Manager (Assistive Health Technology)

Grade: P5

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment

Duration of contract: Two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the post.

Date: 4 March 2015

Application Deadline: 25 March 2015

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Organization unit: HQ Headquarters (HQ) /

HQ/HIS Health Systems and Innovation (HQ/HIS)

HQ/EMP Essential Medicines and Health Products (HQ/EMP), HQ/PHI Public Health, Innovation and Intelectual Property(HQ/PHI)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Essential Medicines and Health Products (EMP) works with Member States and partners to improve the access to quality assured essential medicines and other health technologies and to promote their rational use. The EMP department works with other departments in the HIS (Health Systems and Innovation ) Cluster in the wider framework of health system strengthening and Universal Health Coverage and Category 4 of the Global Programme of Work, and cooperates with other programmes (including HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, reproductive health, maternal and child health, immunization, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health) towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

The department works with a wide range of United Nations (UN) organizations, international partners and expert networks, and WHO Collaborating Centres. The department has three large areas of work: Policy, Access and Use (PAU), Regulation of medicines and other health technologies (REM) and Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property (PHI).Within the department, the PHI Team is responsible for promoting innovation in the discovery, development, production and delivery of essential health technologies in the context of Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property (GSPA-PHI). PHI works at the interface between public health, innovation, research, transfer of technology and intellectual property. In addition, PHI is the knowledge centre for health-related intellectual property and Assistive Health Technology (AHT).

The key activities of PHI include:

1. Facilitate the establishment of sustainable alternative ways of financing and coordinating Research & Development (R&D) for priority health technologies for developing countries in view of market failures,
2. Develop policy guidance and provide technical assistance on management and
3. application of intellectual property with a view to promote needs based innovation and access to patent protected essential medicines and other health products,
4. Facilitate technology transfer to and build capacity in developing countries for the manufacturing of strategically selected essential health products in order to improve access. Facilitate innovation related to the essential health technologies including point of care diagnostics,
5. Facilitate implementation, monitoring and evaluation of GSPA-PHI in order to provide evidence for its impact and direction,
6. Develop and lead the Global Cooperation on Assistive Health Technology (GATE).

Description of duties: The role of this position is to lead and develop the Global Cooperation on Assistive Health Technology (GATE) initiative for improving access to assistive health technology.

• Lead WHO's flagship programme Global Cooperation on Assistive Health Technology (GATE) and strengthen WHO's leadership in field of Assistive Health Technology,
• Develop and establish short/long term strategies for WHO's global initiative on Assistive Health Technology,
• Develop and establish evidence-based policies/norms and standards/guidelines/best practices to support the Member States,
• Manage and oversee the analysis and dissemination of programme information responding to gaps and needs required for the Global Cooperation on Assistive Health Technology GATE and other related public health topics,
• Provide expert authoritative advice to the Member States in the development and implementation of policy and programmes in the area of Assistive Health Technology
• Encourage innovation in developing high-quality affordable Assistive Health Products
• Provide technical advice and guidance on the research agenda and promote research initiatives related to Assistive Health Technology
• Negotiate with and build new partnerships with the UN family, academia, donors, non-government organizations external public health partners with Member States at the international and/or country level to enable the promotion of Global Cooperation on Assistive Health Technology,
• Manage a team of technical, programmatic and support staff,
• Oversee and mobilize resources to develop the GATE initiative.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential

• Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in Public Health, Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Rehabilitation Science, Assistive Technology or other related field.

Desirable

• Studies related to international development or partnerships.
• WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an accredited institution.

Skills

• Excellent knowledge, skills and experience in the field of assistive health technology and rehabilitation sciences.
• An ability to plan, organize, coordinate, implement and lead at global level,
• Good management, leadership, communications, public relations and interpersonal skills,
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and cultural environment,
• Ability to establish and maintain partnership at local and international levels,
• Experience in planning/organizing international meetings/global events,
• Knowledge in WHO procedures, system and organizational functioning.
• Excellent computer literacy, especially in Word processing programmes, Excel spread sheets, PowerPoint, statistical software, and Information and communication technology.

WHO competencies

1. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
2. Promoting WHO's position in health leadership
3. Producing results
4. Ensuring the effective use of resources
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Experience

Essential

• At least ten years of experience in planning, managing or developing assistive health technology programmes at the international level with proven experience of leading collaboration and negotiations with external agencies.
• At least 5 years of experience in providing technical and policy support to a number of developing countries.

Desirable

• Relevant experience in WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.
• Good experience working in low- and middle-income countries.

Languages

Essential

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable

• Intermediate knowledge of French.

Additional Information

This vacancy is published in English only.

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's salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a base salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WHO: http://www.who.int, to learn more about WHO's operations

http://icsc.un.org, click on: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date.

Annual salary: (Net of tax)

81'704 US$ at single rate

87'948 with primary dependants

Post Adjustment

99 % 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.

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