Environmental health specialist

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Objectives of the programme

The Division of Healthy Environments and Populations (DHP) works to ensure that Health is woven into communities and societies in the WPR through: engaging all of government to develop policies, and strategies to enable healthy environments and populations; and working with local governments to implement and customize interventions that meet community needs. The objectives of the unit are:

• Promote actions for a climate-resilient, sustainable, and low-carbon health sector
• Development of plans, regulations, and policies
• Build network and partnership
• Strengthen data and Surveillance for decision making

Description of duties

1. Provide technical support in the area of Health and the Environment specifically as related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
2. Provide technical guidance to Member States to implement national strategies and policies to promote key objectives and targets in the identification and management of environmental risk factors to human health.
3. Undertake situation analysis and needs assessment for addressing health and environment challenges and linkages to ensure adequate technical and strategic support to Member States in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of joint national action plans.
4. Monitor country or Regional specific developments in respect to the assigned programmatic areas covered and conduct reporting to the regional office/ Headquarters so that these findings can be analyzed for strategy development purposes.
5. Develop and propose national strategies and policies for implementation through collaboration with national authorities and recommend initiatives in the areas of environmental health to implement multilateral environmental agreements.
6. Plan and organize programs for capacity building on Environmental health initiatives and the other related cross cutting areas.
7. Conduct a variety of community outreach activities concerning the extension of community-based networks for improved health environment targeted towards preventing diseases.
8. Liaise with national counterparts, technical departments at HQ, donors, and development partners (UN and bilateral institutions) to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to the programme and resolve issues or concerns and seek funding for new projects and initiatives.
9. Follow-up on recommendations and actions deriving from the global WASH meetings.
10. Manage the Western pacific region component of the wastewater and environmental surveillance project.
11. When delegated represent WHO at various meetings.
12. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Required qualifications 

Education

Essential: Master's degree (or higher) in environmental or public health, environmental engineering or a similar field. Desirable: Specialization in wastewater based surveillance.

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/ .

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience, including international exposure, in developing policies and strategies targeted at reduction and control of environmental elements of diseases. Within this experience demonstrated professional experience working at the country and/or regional level providing technical advice and services to Ministries of Health and/or other national counterparts and partners on environmental health initiatives. Experience managing diverse teams. Desirable: Experience in WHO, other UN or international agency's tools related to WASH.

Skills

• Good knowledge of regional situation with regard to policies, strategies and regulatory mechanisms governing the planning of health and environment related interventions.
• Sound knowledge of relevant country's needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO's policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening risk assessment and health care systems..
• Ability to develop, review and revise policies and objectives of assigned programs and activities.
• Excellent knowledge of scientific and technical issues pertaining to health and environment linkages.
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• Team spirit and time management skills.

WHO competencies enhanced 

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Moving forward in a changing environment

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of language skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of spoken and written English.

Renumeration

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 77,326 (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 3183 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.
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• 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 [email protected]
• 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.
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