Head of Convention Secretariat

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: HQ/13/HQ/FT271 Title: Head of Convention Secretariat Grade: D2 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  Four years (time-limited contract) with the possibility of a single renewal for a further two years.	Date: 2 July 2013 Application Deadline: 13 August 2013 (37 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Geneva, Switzerland   Organization unit: HQ Headquarters (HQ) / HQ/DGO Director-General's Office (HQ/DGO)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Purpose of the Position Lead and manage the Convention Secretariat for the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHOFCTC), the first global health treaty, ensuring the appropriate support to the Conference of the Parties to the WHO FCTC, including ensuring implementation of its decisions, in order to achieve the objectives of the WHOFCTC and its protocols. Ensure efficient management, synchronization, alignment and coordination of the activities of the Convention Secretariat within the implementation of the WHO FCTC and its protocols. Lead and manage the corresponding strategies for the work of the Convention Secretariat, and develop the overall vision for the Convention Secretariat's work. Objectives of the Programme The Convention Secretariat is an entity established under the WHO FCTC by the Conference of the Parties and is hosted by WHO Headquarters in Geneva. The Conference of the Parties is the governing body and decision-making organ established under the WHO FCTC. Within the context of implementing the WHO FCTC and its protocols, and with the guidance of the Conference of the Parties and its Bureau, as appropriate, in particular through the approved biennial workplans and budgets and other decisions, the Convention Secretariat aims to support Parties in fulfilling their obligations under the Convention as well as providing all necessary support to the Conference of the Parties, including implementing its decisions, thereby promoting the objectives of the Convention in reducing the global burden of tobacco-related disease, disability and death on a global scale.
Description of duties: Overall responsibility and accountability for managing and coordinating the work of the Secretariat to fulfill the obligations as established in Article 24, Para 3, of the WHO FCTC: - to make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties and any subsidiary bodies and to provide them with required services; - to transmit reports received by the Secretariat pursuant to the Convention; - to provide support to the Parties, particularly developing country Parties, and Parties with economies in transition, on request, in the compilation and communication of information required in accordance with the provisions of the Convention; - to prepare reports on the activities of the Secretariat under the Convention under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties and to submit them to the Conference of the Parties; - to ensure, under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties, the necessary coordination with the competent international and regional intergovernmental organizations and other bodies; - to enter, under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties, into such administrative or contractual arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of the functions of the Secretariat; - to perform other secretariat functions specified by the Convention and by any of its protocols and such other functions as may be determined by the Conference of the Parties. Duties include, inter alia: - promoting political awareness, visibility and support for the WHO FCTC and its protocols globally and across government sectors; this includes, inter alia, communicating to senior representatives of the Parties and observers, advocating and presenting a compelling vision and agenda to the international community for the role of the first public health treaty for international health cooperation; - acting as the Secretary of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies; - directing operational activities of the Convention Secretariat and implementing the workplans and budgets adopted by the Conference of the Parties, with the guidance of the Bureau, including collection of voluntary assessed contributions by the Parties; - preparing biennial and medium-term workplans and budgets, under the guidance of and for approval by the Conference of the Parties, that provides for synergy and coordination with the overall programme of work of WHO as established and approved by the World Health Assembly; - preparing and submitting for review by the Conference of the Parties and its Bureau, as appropriate, regular progress reports, including financial breakdowns as may be required, on implementation of the workplans and budgets adopted by the Conference of the Parties with respect to treaty and technical matters; - submitting to the Director-General a regular progress report on implementation of the workplans and budgets adopted by the Conference of the Parties with respect to administrative and technical matters, where appropriate; - preparing and submitting to the Conference of the Parties regular reports on the progress in the implementation of the Convention internationally; - responsibility for ensuring, under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties, effective synergies and coordination between the activities of the Convention Secretariat and those of WHO relevant departments, competent international and regional intergovernmental organizations and other bodies, to support the implementation of the WHO FCTC; - facilitating and promoting the WHO FCTC at country-level, including developing working relationships with WHO country counterparts and representatives, especially in developing countries or countries with economies in transition, with the aim of fostering WHO FCTC implementation; - leading global resource mobilization to support the implementation of the workplans and decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties; this includes providing support to Parties in undertaking needs assessments where appropriate, facilitating increased access to internationally available resources and assisting in implementation of specific provisions of the Convention as requested; - any other duties relating to the delivery of treaty and technical activities assigned by the Conference of the Parties, as well as any other duties relating to administrative and staff management matters and technical matters within the context of the WHO FCTC and assigned by the Director-General.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential An advanced degree (at least Master's or equivalent degree) in public health, international law, international relations or other relevant discipline.
Skills:  - Outstanding leadership qualities, with excellent advocacy and representational skills. - Excellent knowledge of the technical aspects of tobacco control as well as key tobacco control interventions. - Experience in translating multilateral instruments/agreements into effective political and legislative initiatives. - Excellent managerial and supervisory skills, with proven ability to focus, direct and maximize the efforts of individuals and teams in the achievement of far-reaching objectives, with a proven capacity to coordinate a wide range of stakeholders, working groups and staff in pursuance of global goals and policy initiatives. - Demonstrated commitment to accountability and transparency. - Ability to manage in an environment of financial constraints. - Skilled use of all standard MS Office applications and use of the Internet. COP Competencies: 1. Promoting COP's position in health leadership 2. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond 3. Setting an example 4. Producing results 5. Moving forward in a changing environment.
Experience: Essential Work experience of at least 10 years in public health, international law, international relations or other relevant field, including significant experience of developing countries, of which a minimum of five years' experience at the international level coordinating with, for example, national governments, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and professional and academic bodies. In-depth knowledge and understanding of public health policies and the challenges of implementing complex health initiatives as well as proven success in addressing such challenges. Demonstrated extensive managerial experience, including experience in managing financial resources and in fundraising, preferably at the international level. Desirable Experience in the implementation of tobacco control programmes and WHO FCTC, in particular at country level. Extensive experience in administration and financial resources, preferably at the international level. Extensive managerial expertise. Previous experience in working with treaty secretariats. Proven expertise in utilizing multi-disciplinary skills in a cross-cutting work environment. A record of contributions to scientific journals and other publications would be an asset.
Languages: Expert knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of another official UN language are required (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Additional Information: This selection is subject to special selection procedures. Further details of these procedures shall be made available upon request to morfinc@who.int. Prior to consideration of the short list, all short-listed candidates will be expected to complete a form which, among other things, will request information on whether he or she or a member of his or her immediate family has or has had an employment or other relationship, whether paid or unpaid, with, or performed any work or research commissioned by, any entity involved in the production, manufacture, distribution or sale of tobacco or any tobacco products. Information will also be requested regarding whether the short-listed candidate or a member of his or her immediate family represents or has represented the interest of such an entity. This vacancy is published in English only.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 102'847 at single rate USD 111'950 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 103.3 % 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.
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