Job: Technical Officer

Location: Geneva 
Deadline: Wednesday, 02 October 2013 

Description

TECHNICAL OFFICER (HQ/13/HSE/TA89)

11 September 2013

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.

Vacancy Notice No:HQ/13/HSE/TA89

Title: Technical Officer

Grade: P2

Contract type: Temporary appointment

Duration of contract: 6 months

Date: 11 September 2013

Application Deadline: 2 October 2013

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Organization unit: HQ/HSE Health Security and Environment (HQ/HSE), HQ/PHE Protection of the Human Environment (HQ/PHE)

HQ/WSH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :

Under Strategic Objective 8, the department Public Health and Environment (PHE) aims to tackle the environmental determinants of health in a comprehensive way, working through the health sector and with other relevant sectors.The objective of the Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health (WSH) unit is to support Member States by providing a normative framework for drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene and in the implementation of effective actions to reduce the burden of water-, sanitation- and hygiene-related disease. In performing these essential functions, WSH is guided by World Health Assembly Resolution 64, 24 May 2011, on Drinking-water, Sanitation and Health.

Description of duties:

Under the supervision of the Team Leader for water quality, the Technical Officer is responsible for assisting with the following duties:

• Supporting the start-up, operation and management of the WHO Evaluation Scheme on Household Water Treatment Technologies. In particular, assist in:
• Collating informal survey results on manufacturer interest in the Scheme.
• Processing of Scheme submissions in coordination with the Independent Advisory Committee.
• Investigating any reports of misuse of the WHO logo, name, etc.
• Creating and updating Scheme web pages.

Supporting the coordination of activities associated with the WHO regulators network (RegNet) and the Small Communty Water Supply Management Network (SCWSMN). In particular to assist in organizing network meetings and follow up activities; regularly communicating with network members; updating of relevant WHO websites and network e-forum and supporting the development of WaSH guidance materials, including on preventive risk management approaches to ensure water safety.

The Technical Officer will additionally be expected to assist with other duties as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential

• University degree in environmental health, public health or a related field.*
• (For WHO staff please see e-manual III.4.1, para 220)

Skills:

• Good communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to synthesize scientific knowledge related to environmental health problems, to identify gaps and to formulate research questions.
• Ability to interact with and reconcile diverging opinions of members of expert groups.
• Microsoft Office, internet, web management.

WHO Competenciies:

1. Communicating in a credible and effective way

2. Producing results

3. Moving forward in a changing environment.

Experience:

Essential

• At least two years of relevant work experience, of which one year is in public health.

Desirable

• Experience working on issues related to water quality.
• International or national experience in environmental health.
• Familiarity with WHO technical/administrative system and/or the equivalent system of another United Nations agency.

Languages:

Essential

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable

• Intermediate knowledge of French.

Additional Information:

Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this Vacancy Notice. This vacancy is published in English only.

Priority will be given to internal candidates.

Annual salary:

(Net of tax)

USD 46730 at single rate

USD 49821 with primary dependants

Post Adjustment:

103.3 % of the above figure(s). 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.

A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment . The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

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.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

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

More Info and Application