Lead (Sexually Transmitted Infections)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Global HIV,Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes (HHS) hosts the WHO’s Global HIV Programme, the Global Hepatitis Programme (GHP) as well as the Global Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Programme. The programmes are guided by the Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and SexuallyTransmitted Infections (GHSS) 2022-2030 that were approved by the World Health Assembly in May 2022. The programmes have the following strategic directions: 1) Deliver people-centred evidenced-based services;2) Optimise systems, sectors and partnerships for impact; 3) Generate and use data to drive decisions and action; 4) Engage empowered communities and civil society;and 5) Foster innovations for accelerated action. The 2022-2030 GHHS’s are linked to achieving the goals of the 2016-2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (or the Sustainable Development Goals), in particular the goals of ending AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; and achieving universal health coverage and healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages by 2030. The objective of all three Programmes is to lead an effective, organization-wide effort to support Member States in the implementation of the GHSS. The programmes provide technical and strategic leadership and leverages on the capacity of other headquarter departments to contribute to elimination. The programme also work closely with WHO Country Offices, through the Regional Offices in order to maximize WHO’simpact in the context of the General Programme of Work 13 (GPW13) guided by the“Triple Billion” targets related to universal health coverage, protection from health emergencies, and promotion of better health and well-being for all.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• To provide STI leadership on the STI agenda.
• To ensure that the STI agenda of HHS is aligned with and supporting implementation of the Global Health Sector Strategy on STI, the WHO Global Programme of Work and the relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions, is up to date based on new scientific evidence as it becomes available and is adequately monitored and managed. This includes coordination of the global governance and advocacy agendas and partnerships related to STIs and contributing to the STI research agenda. In addition,strategic and leadership support is provided to the Director and ADG on the STI’s elimination agenda. The Director is kept informed about critical issues, risks and developments and is consulted as needed in a timely manner.
• To ensure appropriate and timely contribution to all important internal and external requests for information and provide comprehensive briefings and briefing materials for senior management in WHO.
• To coordinate the implementation of the Global Health Sector Strategy on STIs across the three levels of the organisation (global, regional and country level) to reach impact at country level, especially for STIs elimination efforts.
• To ensure WHO planned STI interventions are scientifically sound and reflect current and important public health needs and directions. A major area of work is to increase access to affordable STI medicines and diagnostics in priority countries.
• To coordinate the STI activities in collaboration with other WHO departments (including those responsible for STI related research, vaccines and immunization, essential medicines, health financing, universal health coverage,primary health care and strategic information) to ensure that technical assistance can be provided to member states on high impact interventions and innovative and integrated service delivery within the context of Universal Health Care approaches.
• To coordinate with the three functional unit heads (in testing,prevention and populations; treatment, care & service delivery; and strategic information & use) the appropriate planning for updating STIs normative work on prevention, testing, treatment, care and service delivery; to jointly oversee the implementation of this plan with team leads, and to provide technical expert guidance to the teams developing the normative guidance.
• To work with the strategic information team on STIsurveillance and monitoring and evaluation guidance, costing of STI responses and monitoring and reporting on progressin priority countries in implementing STI control activities. Lead on the STI sections in relevant progress and information guidance and reports. Develop and update the monitoring framework in collaboration with the strategic information focal point for STIs.
• To be responsible for supporting the Director in establishing and maintaining excellent relationswith technical partnerships on STIs,including the STI component of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Committee on HIV, Hepatitis and STIs and the Civil Society Reference Group on HIV,Hepatitis and STIs.
• To act as the research focal point on STI, in association with RHR, to ensure regular liaison with other STI experts and organizations working in partnership with WHO on STI through global STI networks to shape the research agenda based on public health guidance needs and promote innovations.
• To coordinate with regional offices and country offices all STI technical support requests and needs, track and report on STI technical support following the biennial work plans. Work with the regional and country offices to ensure that STI programme delivery is done through the PHC framework.
• To work with the department information officer on advocacy and communication strategies on STI.
• To work with WHO and external experts to plan and develop scientific documents and publications that will promote awareness of STI, improve knowledge of the burden of STI-related disease and demonstrated examples of implementation of STI control plans in-country. Coordinate the STI components of the department publication plan and the global public health goods.
• The incumbent may be requested by Senior Management to assume additional responsibilities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• A university degree in medicine with an advanced level degree in public health.
  

Desirable:

• PhD in Public Health or specialisation in infectious diseases and/or specialization in sexually transmitted infections.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years’ work experience in the design and implementation of public-health communicable disease-control programs.
• At least seven years of experience in the implementation of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) programmes in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
• At least five years in establishing and maintaining technical networks and partnerships at a regional and/or global level related to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Desirable:

• Experience in planning and costing of essential interventions and integration into primary health care frameworks.
• Experience in advocacy for access to medicines and diagnostics at the global level.
• Experience in international public health organisations.
• A track record of publications on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in peer-reviewed journals.

Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in advocacy, management and implementation of infectious disease programmes.
• Technical expertise in the area of infectious disease control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
• Proven ability to provide strategic and expert advice on technical and policy issues relating to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
• Excellent programme management and technical support skills, research and analytical skills, complemented by excellent communication and presentation skills. Tact, discretion and diplomacy.
• Ability to produce results under pressure.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.
  

Desirable:

• Beginners knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of any other UN language (Spanish, Chinese, Russian or Arabic).

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 92,731 (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 7473 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.

·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.

·For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

·For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

·In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates