Technical Officer (Coordinator Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance in the GMS Programme)

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: WPRO/13/FT264 Title: Technical Officer (Coordinator Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance in the GMS Programme) Grade: P5 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  Two years	Date: 27 June 2013 Application Deadline: 17 July 2013 (10 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Organization unit: WP_KHM Cambodia (WP_KHM) / WP_KH3 Director, Combating Communicable Diseases (WP_KH3) Director, Department of Communicable Diseases, SEARO
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To preserve the effectiveness of artemisinin-based combination therapies by containing and ultimately eliminating artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). In collaboration with member states and partners, to coordinate the regional response to artemisinin resistance in particular and of malaria control/elimination in general in the GMS, and to provide and/or mobilize technical support as necessary. Key areas of work include: strengthening leadership, coordination and oversight mechanism; maintaining and expanding drug efficacy surveillance networks; acceleration of priority research; improved access for migrant and mobile populations to quality services; strengthening of the containment activities in all countries with reported artemisinin resistance; limiting the availability of oral artemisinin-based monotherapies, substandard and counterfeit antimalarial medicines, while improving quality of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).
Description of duties: 1. To provide leadership and coordinate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the regional response to artemisinin resistance in particular and malaria control/elimination in general in all countries of the GMS. 2. To establish and maintain the management structure for the coordination of the emergency response to artemisinin resistance in the GMS programme based in Cambodia; assist in the recruitment of the programme staff; manage and supervise the regional hub team based in Cambodia; closely cooperate with team members located in other country offices, Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) and South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) and Headquarters; organize and participate in regional project meetings and partner fora, and participate in other project-related meetings as needed; and provide regular programme implementation reports, including reports to donors. 3. To develop and update the bi-regional workplan for the Emergency response to artemisinin resistance in the GMS programme, based on consultations with relevant stakeholders, and facilitate the approval and commitment process; develop a resource mobilization plan; provide technical inputs into national National Strategic Plans (NSP) for malaria control or elimination (as appropriate) and workplans, and help ensure that prevention and containment of artemisinin resistance is part of the these plans and are reflected in national health plans; closely monitor and evaluate implementation. 4. To provide and/or mobilize technical support for the bi-regional, national and cross-border responses to artemisinin resistance in the GMS, including: malaria prevention and control field operations, focusing on marginalized or hard-to-reach populations at high risk of malaria; surveillance including monitoring of antimalarial drug resistance and drug quality and use in both public and private sectors; development and harmonization of rational treatment policies. 5. To provide oversight and coordination of bi-regional efforts to halt manufacture and sale of oral artemsinin monotherapy, and increase availability and access to quality-assured efficacious antimalarials and other relevant supplies. 6. To facilitate intercountry collaboration and cross-border communication at national, provincial and district levels. 7. To facilitate capacity building of GMS member states as well as of the WHO team in key areas relevant for artemisinin resistance containment and prevention. 8. To build and strengthen partnerships with different stakeholders at many levels across an extensive network of contacts, including donor partners, implementation partners and national focal points, and collaborate with this network to leverage ideas and obtain resources and funds; lead proposal writing activities. 9. To oversee and provide overall direction and if necessary technical support in all advocay and communcation activities; to advocate to Ministers of Health and health-related ministries in GMS; ASEAN; and other development partners to sustain support for malaria control/elimination, including the implementation of the Emergency response to artemisinin resistance in the GMS programme; present regularly technical briefings, media articles, publications and webpostings on the programme, for information exchange within and outside the GMS. 10. Accelerate priority research and support the coordination of research at regional and national levels. 11. To prepare duty travel, assignment reports and project documents. 12. To perform any other related duties as needed
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: University degree in medicine, biological or veterinary sciences from a recognized university, with postgraduate degree in public health, tropical medicine, medical parasitology or epidemiology are essential. PhD in public health, tropical medicine, communicable diseases epidemiology; master in business administration; postgraduate training in communication or negotiation desirable.
Skills:  Excellent communication and negotiation skills; strong at coordination, collaboration, building and maintaining partnerships; diplomatic; strong in advocacy; out-of-the-box thinking; innovative; analytic; results and solutions oriented; good writing skills; good team spirit. Leadership skills. Able to listen. Thorough understanding of malaria and its control and elimination. Knowledge on how to work at field level in different cultural environments. Excellent relationships with national authorities. Understanding of the concepts and principles of the global malaria partnership, with practical experience in applying these to the Asian context. Excellent cooperation with donors, development partners and civil society organizations. Skills in programme planning and management, monitoring and evaluation; capacity building; epidemiology; surveillance and response; operational research. Strong in resource mobilization including proposal writing. Strong advisory skills. Proficient in standard MS Office software applications. Presentation skills. Skills in use of statistical or GIS software an asset. Competencies: 1. Communicating in a credible and effective way 2. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond 3. Producing results 4. Moving forward in a changing environment 5. Promoting WHO's position in health leadership.
Experience: At least 10 years of experience in running a public health programme, especially malaria, including at least 5 years of malaria control/elimination experience at international level is essential. Experience in health systems development, operational research, advocacy or negotiation with donors and stakeholders; extensive field experience in developing countries highly desirable.
Languages: Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.
Additional Information: This vacancy notice is published in English only.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD80 734 at single rate USD86 904 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 28.4 % 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.
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at:www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
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Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.