Special Services Agreement, NCDs & Mental Health Officer, NOC

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1. Area of expertise SSA NCDs & MENTAL HEALTH, NOC

2. Purpose of this SSA

The position of SSA/NCDs/MH is to contribute to WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy in the area of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and mental health by supporting the government to (i) Improve capacity to develop and implement policies, strategies and multi-sectoral action plan for prevention and control of NCDs and mental health and their risk factors including Oral health, Eye and Ear Health violence and injury; (ii) Improve skills at central and district levels to implement evidence-based interventions for management of NCDs and mental health conditions at primary, secondary and tertiary levels; (iii) Improve capacity for development and adaptation of protocols, guidelines and training modules for NCDs and mental health interventions; (iv) Increase capacity for policy dialogue, coordination and partnership for multi-sectoral approach for the prevention and control of NCDs and mental health and their risk factors; (v) Increase capacity for the surveillance of NCDs and mental health and their risk factors and; conduct relevant surveys such as STEPS, GATS, GSHS, GYTS etc.

3. Background

The objective of the Programme is to strengthen national efforts to address the burden of NCDs and mental health. The 66th World Health Assembly endorsed the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020 (Resolution WHA66.10). The WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs was extended from 2013 to 2030. The extended Global Action Plan offers a paradigm shift by providing a road map and a menu of policy options for Member States, WHO, other UN organizations and intergovernmental organizations, NGOs and the private sector which, when implemented collectively between 2013 and 2030, will attain 9 voluntary global targets, including that of a 25% relative reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025. In addition, WHO developed the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030 to guide countries to address the growing burden of mental health conditions.

4. Summary of Assigned Duties

Reporting to the Diseases Prevention and Control cluster Team Leader, under general guidance of the WR, and in close coordination with the regional office, and WHO/HQ and within the delegated authority and in collaboration with other specialists at HQs and in other offices the officer will develop, and support implementation including monitoring and evaluation of NCD and mental health control and prevention programmes and activities, including consultation, investigations, training and counseling, and play a leadership role in the assigned area.
Under the overall guidance of WHO Representative Rwanda, and the direct supervision of the WHO UCN Team Lead, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
1. Support the Ministry of Health to develop, implement, monitor, and assess comprehensive and integrated policies, strategies and plans for the management of the main NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and sickle cell diseases) including Oral health, Eye and ear Health, Violence and Injuries and NCD risk factors, and mental health conditions.
2. Provide technical support for the development of guidelines to promote use of community-based approaches, affordable strategies and technologies for the delivery of quality care services including primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
3. Provide technical assistance to the country for the prevention and control of NCDs and mental health conditions and their risk factors integrated into national health policies and strategies, and, beyond the health sector.
4. Support the country capacity building and provide technical assistance and advice to the Ministry of Health and its partners to develop, implement and evaluate strategies and action plans for the prevention and control of NCDs and mental health conditions in line with the extended NCDs Global Action Plan 2013-2030 and the comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030.
5. Forge partnerships and networks to enhance multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral collaboration to address NCDs and mental health conditions and their risk factors in the country.
6. Collaborate in resource mobilization for the WCO technical support to the country using existing mechanisms at country level.
7. Support data collection, research and information dissemination and use for policy and programme development, advocacy and awareness-raising on NCDs and mental health conditions and their risk factors.
8. Work closely with the national authorities and other partners and liaise with WHO technical staff in the Regional Office and Headquarters when necessary.
9. Prepare technical and administrative reports and presentations as required.
10. Perform any other tasks/duties as assigned by supervisors.

5. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: University degree in Medicine
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or related health programme management. specialization in Internal medicine or one of the main NCDs or public health from an accredited/recognized institute.

Experience

Essential: At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in planning implementing programmatic activities related to public health.
Desirable: Working experience with the WHO/UN or other health partner organizations.

Skills/Knowledge

1. Ability to develop innovative approaches, demonstrate analytical and problem- solving skills; statistical, monitoring and evaluation skills; ability to lead policy level dialogue, advocacy and partnerships to tackle NCDs and their risk factors
2. Broad knowledge and experience on NCD prevention and management as well as, coordinating, training, NCD surveillance, monitoring, and/or evaluation. Good communication skills. Ability to interact with health professionals at various levels.
3. Capacity to work strategically and under tight deadlines on a results-oriented basis.
4. Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills by working harmoniously as a member of a team, adapting to diverse educational, socio-political and cultural backgrounds and maintaining a high standard of personal conduct.
5. Computer skills - Knowledge of Word processing, spreadsheet and data analysis, browsing and information searching on the internet.

Other Skills(e.g.IT)

Proficiency in all MS Office software applications.
Good communication skills, both oral and written ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings.

Languages and level required

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English
Desirable: Working knowledge French

6. Location

The duty station of the SSA will be based in Kigali, Rwanda at WHO country office, but working on daily basis with counterparts.

7. Travel

N/A

8. Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: Monthly salary will be on Grade NOC and 30 days of annual leave per year.
Expected duration of contract: 3 months

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• 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.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.