Qualifications indicated in this vacancy are MINIMUM requirements. Candidates who are less qualified will not be considered.

Title: Technical Officer (Time-limited post - two years)
Grade: P.5
Official station (country): Geneva (Switzerland)
Organizational Location/Unit: Family and Community Health (FCH)
Department of Reproductive Health & Research (RHR)

Objectives of the programme:

The Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) was established in 1998 after the reorganization of WHO, with the overall aim of promoting and supporting an expanded global effort to enable people to protect their own health as it relates to sexuality and reproduction and to have access to and receive sexual and reproductive health services when needed. To achieve this, the Department advocates and promotes sound public health strategies, sets norms and standards, provides technical cooperation, and supports relevant research. RHR includes the "UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction", a special and cosponsored UN Programme for human reproduction research, under the governance of an external "Policy and Coordination Committee" (PCC). The successful candidate will:

Act as the senior technical authority on health sector reform within the Department of Reproductive Health and Research, serving within the Policies and Programmes/Technical Cooperation with Countries Team. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and managing a research initiative on the impact of health reforms on reproductive health policies, services and outcomes. This will include literature reviews, organizing international consultations, developing a call for proposals, establishing mechanisms for peer review of proposals, providing research and management support to investigators who are conducting studies on health reform and reproductive health, and documenting findings and disseminating results through the drafting of technical reports and scientific articles. The incumbent will also develop proposals for submission to bilateral donors and international organizations seeking financial support for research on health reforms and their impact on reproductive health to be sponsored by WHO.

Qualifications Required:

Education and Skills:

Degree in economics, political science or public health at the highest university level. A combination of postgraduate degrees in economics, political science and public health would be preferred. Excellent writing abilities and strong analytical skills are essential. Strong interpersonal cross-cultural skills with the ability, sensitivity and tact to collaborate effectively with developing country policy-makers, programme managers, non-governmental organizations, scientists and service providers and the capacity to work successfully in a team environment.
Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience at the international level, with at least three years experience dealing with developing country issues. Previous working experience in and in-depth knowledge of health reforms is required. Experience in gender analysis would be an asset.
Languages:

Excellent knowlege of English with a working knowledge of French or Spanish. Working knowledge of other official WHO languages would be an advantage.

Annual salary (net of tax):

US$ 67 698 at single rate and US$ 72 872 with primary dependants. Post
Adjustment: 35.8% of the above figures. 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.

Applications should quote the vacancy notice number and include a detailed curriculum vitae and photograph.

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY A COMPLETED PERSONAL HISTORY FORM. For more information see: How to Apply for a Vacancy

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: 1 NOVEMBER 2002

This vacancy is open to applicants of EITHER SEX. Applications from WOMEN are encouraged.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for interview and test.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual

Staff are subject to assignment to any office of the WHO in the world and mobility is encouraged.

Please send your application by mail to:

FCH/MSU
World Health Organization,
CH-1211 Geneva 27,
Switzerland
By fax to: 41 22 7914382

By Email to: fchvac@who.ch
NB: This Email address should ONLY be used for vacancy applications. Due to the large number of messages, any other type of correspondence may not be answered.

WHO has a smoke free environment.

FCH/MSU, 20 SEPTEMBER 2002