Unit Head (Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Among the overall objectives of the Unit are to support achievement of SDG health target 3.5 on “strengthening prevention and treatment of substance abuse”; implementation of the Global alcohol action plan 2022-2030 and WHO-led SAFER initiative on alcohol; implementation of the relevant health-related operational recommendations of the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the world drug problem; development and dissemination of normative guidance and technical tools in support of implementation of effective strategies and interventions, including those in health sector; generation, collation and dissemination of reliable information on the health impact of alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors as well as health policy and health system responses worldwide.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Provides technical leadership, coordination and managerial support within the Department/Programme, in the Unit of Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviors (ADA) ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
• Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the policy and program responses to alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors for strengthening and improving technical capacity of target clienteles.
• Oversees a unit of technical teams specialized in various domains within their area of expertise and facilitates the efficient flow of team synergies.
• Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a unit of small teams of technical staff, financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
• Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
• Manages 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 Programme deliverables.
• Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise. Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in the area of alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies.
• Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for effective policies, strategies and interventions to reduce the health burden associated with alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned. Specific duties Coordinate WHO's activities and lead and oversee interagency collaboration within and beyond UN system and appropriate engagement with Non-State Actors on implementation of the Global alcohol action plan 2022-2030 and reporting on progress with its implementation.
• Lead WHO's efforts on interagency collaboration within and beyond UN system on prevention, treatment and care of health conditions due to psychoactive drug use, and coordinate and promote collaboration with UNODC, INCB, and other UN entities and international partners on drug demand reduction in implementation of the WHA and UN General Assembly decisions and resolutions.
• Lead and coordinate organization-wide technical activities on collecting, collating, analyzing and disseminating data for reporting on indicators related to alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors included in the global monitoring frameworks such as those for SDG 2030 health targets, Global alcohol action plan, or NCD global monitoring framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree with specialization in addiction medicine, psychiatry, public health or other fields related to the functions of the position.
Desirable: A PhD in addiction medicine, psychiatry, public health or other fields related to the functions of the position.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the management of international or national policies, strategies and interventions to reduce the harmful use of alcohol and public health problems due to the use of psychoactive drugs and/or addictive behaviors. Five years of experience in managing human and financial resources. Five years of experience at the international level.
Desirable: Experience in project development and implementation in low- and middle-income countries. Track record of peer-reviewed publications in the areas of alcohol, drugs or addictive behaviors.

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 polices 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.
• Internationally recognized expertise and leadership in the development and implementation of public health policies, strategies and interventions on reducing the harmful use of alcohol, drug demand reduction and prevention and treatment of disorders due to substance use and addictive behaviors. Highly developed oral and written communication, presentation and public relations skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work under time pressure.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.
• Communication
• Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or Russian).

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 92,731 (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 6769 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 Manual.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• 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 staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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 final candidates.
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• WHO also offers 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.
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