Health Ethics Officer, P4, RFH/SCI

Job Description - Health Ethics Officer (2409659)

Health Ethics Officer - ( 2409659 )

Grade : P4

Contractual Arrangement : Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 12 months

Job Posting

Jan 13, 2025, 2:36:15 PM

Closing Date

Feb 3, 2025, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location

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 Research for Health Department sits within the Science Division. 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 and 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 for 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, to public health programmes and for clinical practice, with the aim of maximizing benefits while mitigating risks; 3) to secure the overall efficiency and impact of the WHO research process. The Health Ethics and Governance Unit provides a focal point for the examination of ethical issues raised by activities throughout the Organization. The unit also supports Member States in addressing ethical issues that arise in their own countries. This includes a range of global bioethics topics from the health and climate crises, to public health surveillance to developments in genomics, and from research with human beings to fair access to health services. This unit's work is particularly important in the context of contemporary health challenges and raises and addresses difficult questions in areas such as resource allocation, new technologies, decision-making in health research and public health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Provide technical support to the work programme in the area of promoting equitable global health research and reforming ethics oversight, and the Ethics2Policy Platform.
• Research, compile and evaluate a variety of data and information related to Ethics Research policy and practice, and policy uptake in global health ethics.
• Develop and monitor work plans and budgets for the work and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.
• Conduct capacity strengthening in the area of equitable global health research and reforming ethics oversight.
• Provide technical and managerial support for the working groups that will develop recommendations, guidance and training materials (as appropriate) in 3 key areas of trial design.
• Manage the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of deliverables.
• Support the development of the Unit's normative documents and associated tools in the areas of research ethics and Ethics2Policy.
• Contribute to the development of strategies and policies through advice and recommendations for supporting National Ethics Commissions/Committees.
• Serve as a technical resource to the public concerning promoting equitable global health research and reforming ethics oversight, and the Ethics2Policy: respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning the work programmes.
• Represent WHO at various meetings.
• Review and ensure quality assurance and relevance of contractual engagements with partners and institutions and make recommendations regarding WHO's support.
• Maintain liaison and coordination with technical departments in the Regional Office and HQ and with donor and development partners.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSEducation

Essential: An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in social or behavioral or medical sciences related to the functions of the position.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the management of bioethics and research ethics, including experience in the area of health policies and strategies.
• Demonstrated exposure at the international level.
• Experience of working with other UN agencies.

Skills

• Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing policies and strategies.
• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.
• Good skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Other WHO Language.

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). 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 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.
• 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 short-listed candidates.
• 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 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.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• 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 .

#J-18808-Ljbffr

---