Technical Officer (ETB)

The Technical Officer (ETB) provides regional-level technical and advisory support to WHO country offices and Member States to facilitate the implementation of global and regional public health strategies and frameworks related to the End TB programme. The role involves supporting integrated service delivery, strengthening preparedness and response capacities, and promoting evidence-informed planning to improve public health outcomes across the Region.

Responsibilities

• Provide input to the work programme in the area of the End TB programme at the regional level and support the Responsible Officer in the coordination and monitoring of public health priorities across multiple countries.
• Undertake research on End TB programme topics to facilitate the development and implementation of End TB programmes and activities relevant to regional priorities.
• Draft, revise and further develop End TB programme guidelines, regional strategies and frameworks, and provide recommendations on plans of action for improvement in existing End TB programme policies and health systems.
• Monitor work plans and budgets, including resource mobilization for the work programme, and follow up on the implementation of planned activities by country offices and partners.
• Conduct data analyses and compile information on best practices and partners’ experiences in implementing sustainable public health systems and disseminate information to inform regional decision-making and guidance.
• Participate in capacity building in the area of public health systems and the management and financing of health systems, including through technical guidance, regional workshops and knowledge sharing platforms.
• Analyze and evaluate best practices from a variety of public health databanks and information related to disease outbreaks; identify trends and risks at regional level and provide technical recommendations on appropriate preparedness and response measures.
• Serve as a technical resource to counterparts at regional and intercountry level concerning End TB programme and communicable diseases; respond to inquiries and provide detailed technical information on related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.
• Plan and coordinate regional technical assistance, advocacy and monitoring missions, and provide technical backstopping and advisory support to WHO country offices, in close collaboration with WHO Collaborating Centres and relevant technical partners, with attention to integrated systems approaches, multisectoral actions and community engagement.
• Monitor alignment between scale‑up of diagnostic, laboratory, surveillance and service‑delivery capacities across priority public health programmes, identify gaps or imbalances, and support corrective planning to optimise service pathways and programme performance at regional level.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A university degree in medicine, public health or a similar field specializing in communicable diseases preferably TB.
• An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in medicine, public health or similar field is desirable.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in communicable diseases programmes, developing public health capacity and policies or strategies that promote health and preventive measures, investigation, surveillance, preparedness and control of various diseases including significant experience in TB.
• Demonstrated relevant experience at the international level.
• Experience working with regional or intercountry public health programmes is desirable.
• Relevant experience in WHO, other UN agencies or another international organization is desirable.
• Knowledge of regional public health priorities and health system challenges, with good understanding of Member States’ needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures, and the ability to apply them in a regional office setting.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, and make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health systems across multiple countries.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned programmes and activities.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Excellent knowledge of health systems and safety regulations.
• 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.
• Expert knowledge of English.
• Intermediate knowledge of Other UN language is desirable.

Skills

• Communicable Diseases Programmes
• Tuberculosis Control
• Public Health Capacity Development
• Health Policy Development
• Disease Surveillance
• Preparedness and Emergency Response
• Public Health Systems Strengthening
• Research Data Analysis
• Policy Review
• Public Speaking
• Technical Advisory
• Health Systems Knowledge
• Safety Regulations Knowledge
• Drafting Communications
• Gender Equality
• Regional Public Health Programmes
• International Health Experience
• WHO Policies and Procedures

Languages

English