Technical Officer

Technical Officer-(2409664)
Grade: P4
Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 11

Job Posting

Jan 13, 2025, 2:29:12 PM

Closing Date

Feb 3, 2025, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location

Switzerland-Geneva

Organization

HQ/RFH Research for Health SCI

Schedule

Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall mission of the Science Division is to harness the power of science and innovation to improve health in a systematic way by ensuring the excellence, relevance, and efficiency of WHO's core technical functions, including norms, standards, and research. Within this Division, the specific purpose of the Research for Health department is to accelerate the impact of ethical, evidence-based research on people's health. Its mandate is structured around three key roles: 1) to provide leadership on matters related to the impact of research on people's health around the world; 2) to ensure that ethics is central to WHO's recommendations to countries, public health programmes, and clinical practice, with the aim of maximizing benefits while mitigating risks; 3) to secure the overall efficiency and impact of the WHO research process.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership within the Unit in the area of responsible use of life sciences and emerging technologies.
• Develop and propose technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provide advice in developing further the responsible use of life sciences and emerging technologies.
• Manage the programme area to deliver its objectives through efficiently managing time and financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
• Lead and conduct research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
• Manage the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the subject area of work on key performance indicators, reporting requirements, and mechanisms to optimize the performance of the deliverables.
• Serve as the technical reference among the peer community, UN agencies, and other stakeholders at the technical levels in their respective areas of expertise.
• Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for approaches and mechanisms for emerging technologies.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific Duties:

• Lead the technical work on emerging technologies, including the identification of specific areas in science and technology that warrant specific considerations (including dual-use research) in terms of responsible use of life sciences and the development of guidance and technical products.
• Liaise with strategic foresight work to develop proactive mechanisms and frameworks for responsible innovations to maximize benefits and mitigate risks.
• Liaise with technical officers working on the implementation of relevant mechanisms for responsible use of life science and emerging technologies at regional and country levels.
• Develop a collaborative data analysis approach to identify priority questions in the responsible use of life sciences and emerging technologies.
• Liaise as appropriate with other technical departments and within the RFH department, including in particular the Health Ethics and Governance Unit.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSEducation

Essential: An advanced level university degree (Master level or above) in health sciences, science policy or related field.
Desirable: A PhD in health research, science policy or relevant field.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the field of emerging technologies or science governance, including experience in the area of dual-use research.

Desirable:

• Prior experience in or collaboration with WHO.
• Experience in the application of strategic foresight in the context of health science and technology.

Skills

• Proven ability leading teams with excellent interpersonal skills in areas such as teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation.
• Strong skills in the area of developing strategies and establishing mechanisms.
• Very good skills in managing financial resources and mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, health product developers, and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
• Very good project management skills.
• Knowledge of the international landscape of global health R&D.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 5793 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).
• 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 E-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 workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process.
• 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.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• WHO also offers a wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance.
• 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO.
• 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.

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