SSA - NCD Prevention and Management Officer

WHO works with national authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on the principle of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ‘leaving no one behind’. WHO actions are ingrained in the 14th General Programme of Work (GPW14) with its 3-prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage (UHC). WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.

WHO Country Office in Uzbekistan (WCO/UZB) collaborates with the Government of Uzbekistan and relevant national and international stakeholders and partners. Within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy, WCO/UZB supports the development and implementation of Uzbekistan’s national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at the overall health systems strengthening and progressed towards achieving UHC. It delivers technical cooperation through practical, actionable and country-focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a ‘whole-of-society’ and ‘whole-of-government’ endeavor.

WHO supports the Government of Uzbekistan in advancing NCD prevention and control through health promotion, risk factor reduction, early detection, quality clinical care, patient self-management support and evidence-informed policy development, with a particular focus on improving diabetes outcomes. Integration of NCD services into PHC aims to ensure timely diagnosis, effective management, continuity of care and prevention of complications, while contributing to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and better population health outcomes.

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical support to the Government of Uzbekistan in strengthening the prevention and control of noncommunicable (NCDs) diseases through an integrated primary health care approach, with particular emphasis on diabetes. Working in close collaboration with WHO staff and experts, the Ministry of Health and national counterparts, the NCD Officer will support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities aimed at improving the quality of NCD care, strengthening patient self-management support and promoting integrated and evidence-informed policy implementation. The incumbent will contribute to technical cooperation, stakeholder engagement, capacity-building, knowledge generation and programme monitoring to support the achievement of national NCD targets and improve health outcomes.

•    Support the implementation of evidence-based NCD prevention, screening, diagnosis and management interventions within primary health care services, with particular emphasis on diabetes.
•    Endorse and implement WHO recommendations, clinical protocols and national guidelines, and support capacity-building activities for PHC teams on integrated NCD care.
•    Support the work of national working group for integration of multidisciplinary, people-centred models of care, quality improvement initiatives and the integration of NCD services into routine PHC delivery by contributing to organizing the meetings, drafting, incorporating WHO feedback and finalizing meetings’ related documents and keeping track of agreed action points.
•    Provide technical input in the development and implementation of patient education, health literacy and self-management support interventions, including behaviour change, treatment adherence, peer support and community engagement initiatives.
•    Monitor programme implementation by identifying challenges and opportunities through field visits and counterparts consultations, and document good practices, lessons learned and innovations in NCD service delivery and patient-centred care, particularly for diabetes.
•    Collect and use data and evidence to improve clinical practice, patient outcomes and programme performance.

Essential: University degree in Public Health, Medicine, Health Policy, Health Systems, Development Studies, International Relations, Public Policy, Political Science or another relevant field

Desirable: Advance degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the areas above

Essential:

·         At least two years of relevant professional experience in NCD prevention and management, public health, health systems strengthening, health policy, PHC strengthening or a related area

·         Experience in supporting coordination and implementation of projects and programs in NCD prevention and management, integrated PHC care or public health reforms

·         Experience in reviewing and preparing technical documents on NCD management, PHC reforms, health systems strengthening or related issues

·         Experience in planning, organizing and facilitating meetings, events, workshops for national audience.

Desirable:

·         Experience working with WHO, UN agency, national or international organization.

·         Experience in public health policy mainstreaming.

·         In-depth understanding of health systems reforms in Uzbekistan

·         Familiarity with key national partners working on NCD prevention and management, PHC reforms, health systems strengthening in Uzbekistan

·         Knowledge of WHO policies and approaches on NCD prevention and management, health systems strengthening and integrated PHC care is an asset.

·         Good coordination and engagement skills

·         Ability to support planning, implementation and monitoring of multi-partners activities

·         Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse counterparts

·         Strong drafting, analytical and presentation skills

·         Competency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or similar software

Essential: Fluency in Uzbek and English

Desirable: Good knowledge of Russian

·         Communication

·         Teamwork

·         Producing results

·         Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.

·         Technical expertise

·         This role is subject to local recruitment. Only nationals of Uzbekistan are eligible to apply.

·         Contract duration: 12 months, with the possibility of an extension subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and the need for the role.

·         Remuneration: USD 3,000 per month (net). This would be USD150 per day which corresponds to UNCT rates for similar type of work and aligns with the local market rates in Uzbekistan.

·         This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar special services agreements at the same level.

·         Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

·         A written test may be used as a form of screening.

·         In the event your candidature is retained for 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.

·         For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

·         The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce 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 workforce. 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 for WHO jobs.

·         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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.

·         WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

·         Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

·         In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.