Technical Officer (Advanced HIV Disease)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes (HHS) hosts the WHO's Global HIV Programme, the Global Hepatitis Programme (GHP) as well as the Global SexuallyTransmitted Infections (STI) Programme. The programmes are guided by the joint Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and SexuallyTransmitted Infections (GHSS) 2022-2030 that were approved by the World Health Assembly in May 2022. The programmes have the following strategic directions:1) Deliver people-centred evidenced-based services; 2) Optimise systems, sectors and partnerships for impact; 3) Generate and use data to drive decisions and action; 4) Engage empowered communities and civil society; and 5) Foster innovations for accelerated action. The 2022-2030 GHSS's are linked to achieving the goals of the 2016-2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (or the Sustainable Development Goals), in particular, the goals of ending AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria; and achieving universal health coverage and healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages by 2030. The objective of the HHS Department is to lead an effective, organization-wide HIV, Hepatitis and STIs effort to support Member States in the implementation of the Strategies. The Department provides technical and strategic leadership in key technical areas and leverages the capacity of other HQ Departments to contribute to the broader global programmes. The Global Hepatitis Programme also works closely with the WHO Country Offices, through the Regional Offices to maximize WHO's impact in the context of the General Programme of Work. The Treatment, Care and Service Delivery (TAC) unit is located within the HHS Department. It focuses on innovative approaches to HIV, viral hepatitis and STI treatment, care and service delivery through the sub-fields: (1) Adult and paediatric treatment optimization, (2) Adult and paediatric Advanced HIV Disease (AHD), (3) Adolescent treatment and care, (4) Elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B, (5) Differentiated Service Delivery models and PHC, and (6) Diagnostics for monitoring results, including HIV, hepatitis drug resistance.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) (60%)

• To develop and update norms and standards with a focus on common advanced HIV disease-related coinfections and integrate these within the consolidated guidelines, this includes areas such as cryptococcal meningitis, histoplasmosis, tuberculosis and other HIV-related opportunistic infections and comorbidities, including HIV-related cancers such as cervical cancer and Kaposi Sarcoma.
• To conduct policy reviews, literature reviews and other systematic reviews related to AHD including supporting the analysis of country availability of drugs and diagnostics needed to implement the AHD guideline recommendations.
• To monitor the research landscape on AHD interventions to support future WHO recommendations and ensure that research is available and disseminated.
• To Lead and support efforts on disease modelling of Advanced HIV disease and related co-infections and co-morbidities.
• To Collaborate with other WHO departments on shared disease areas.
• To provide M&E support to the technical lead in the production of data and reports summarizing the uptake of interventions related to AHD.
• To coordinate and conduct capacity building exercises on AHD and related co-infections & co-morbidities as webinars for member states and technical briefings to partners.
• To provide technical support on the implementation of guidelines and guidance related to AHD at regional and country levels to achieve impact in collaboration with partners, regional offices and stakeholders,this includes supporting the development of National Strategic plans for HIV treatment and care and advanced HIV disease and overseeing the development of cost models to support country uptake of WHO guidance.
• To support the development of donor proposals and reporting related to advanced HIV disease.

Co-infections/comorbidities (30%)

• To Provide support to the Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative for women living with HIV, conducting policy reviews, evidence synthesis, and documenting country implementation examples.
• To Support member states on scale-up and implementation of cervical cancer screening programmes.
• To Work and coordinate activities with the Division of NCDs on supporting the WHO flagship of Global Cervical cancer elimination.
• To support the development of donor proposals and reporting related to cervical cancer among WHIV (women living with HIV).
• To action any other duties as assigned by the supervisor (10%).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• First-level university degree in Medicine, Public Health or an equivalent university degree.

Desirable:

• Post-graduate degree in public health, epidemiology or equivalent.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 5 years experience in the field of HIV treatment and care and Advanced HIV Disease.
• At least three years in the development of global norms and standards and two years of experience in providing technical support and capacity building to Low and Middle-Income Countries related to HIV programmes.

Desirable:

• Three years of experience with other co-infection and co-morbidity at WHO or other international public health agencies in the field of HIV.
• Three years of experience in supporting cervical cancer elimination initiatives at WHO or other international public health agencies would be useful.

Skills

• Excellent research, analytical and presentation skills.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Beginners knowledge of French.

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 64,121 (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 4996 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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· 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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· *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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