National Professional Officer (Maternal and Child Health)

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: EMRO/13/FT306 Title: National Professional Officer (Maternal and Child Health) - Position no. 345546 Grade: NO-C Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  One year (post of limited duration)	Date: 21 July 2013 Original published date: 21 July 2013 Application Deadline: 24 September 2013 (2 day(s) until closing deadline) Republished (Currently accepting applications) Duty Station:  Djibouti, Djibouti   Organization unit: EMCO Countries (EM_ACO) / EM_DJI WHO Representative's Office, Djibouti (EM_DJI) Department of Health Protection and Promotion (DHP)/Maternal and Child Health (MCH)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To provide technical support for implementation, monitoring, evaluation and development in the field of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) in response to the priorities defined by the MCH National Plan, the High-Level meeting for saving the lives of mothers and children (accelerating progress towards achieving MDGs 4 and 5 in the EMR) and the relevant Commission on Information and Accountability (CoIA). Purpose of the Post: To assist the WHO Country Office, the Ministry of Health and the concerned authorities in the strategic planning, development and implementation of programmes designed for improving MCH in the context of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5. Organizational Context: Under the direct supervision of the WHO Representative, the incumbent will assist in advising the Ministry of Health and other health partners on the technical and practical aspects of MCH in line with WHO guidelines and interventions.
Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the WHO Representative and with technical and overall guidance from Coordinator, Family and Community Health (FCH), the incumbent will perform the following duties: - Support the concerned national authorities at all levels in developing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and assessing maternal and child health related policies and strategies. - Assist in implementing and following up maternal and child health related country activities supported by WHO. - Act as WHO Focal Point for the Joint UN Plan and coordinate with concerned international and non-governmental organizations to harmonize their support and facilitate the implementation of the national strategy on MCH. - Act as Focal Point to assist country implementation of CoIA. - In close collaboration with WHO technical experts, provide support to the local adaptation of relevant norms, standards, tools, technologies and interventions necessary to improve the country's maternal and health care. - Support the WHO office and national authorities in resource mobilization, negotiation with donors and follow up on bilateral and multilateral pledges to ensure availability of funds to sustain the programme. - Conduct field missions to country provinces and districts to provide technical backstopping in maternal, neonatal and child health in terms of programme orientation and implementation. - Establish a database on the progress of MCH programme in the country. - Submit a monthly report to WR and Coordinator, FCH.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: University degree in Medicine, and training in maternal and/or child health. Desirable: Post-graduate studies in Maternal and Child Health.
Skills:  Competencies: 1. Producing results. 2. Communicating in a credible and effective way. 3. Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond. 4. Ensuring the effective use of resources. 5. Moving forward in a changing environment. Functional Skills and Knowledge: - Broad knowledge in maternal and child health. - Skills in planning, training, monitoring and evaluation of interventions, and in adapting tools and instruments. - Good communication skills. - Ability to interact with health professionals at various levels. - Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team and adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain high standards of personal conduct. Other Skills: Proficiency in MS Office.
Experience: Essential: At least 5 years' experience at the national level in the development, implementation and management of maternal and child health issues. Desirable: Experience in writing proposals and reports.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of French, English and the local language.
Additional Information: POST IS OPEN FOR LOCAL RECRUITMENT ONLY. APPLICANTS MUST BE NATIONALS OF THE COUNTRY OF ASSIGNMENT. Applicants are kindly requested to pay attention to the screening questions as they will be used to screen out unqualified candidates. Only qualified applicants with the relevant experience will be considered. A written test/presentation and interviews will be used as a form of screening. The written test might be used as an eliminatory tool. Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice. Candidates will be interviewed using a competency-based approach.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) DJF 6,706,000 at single rate
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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.