Regional Adviser (Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity)

The Regional Adviser provides strategic planning and leadership on nutrition, physical activity and obesity, offering authoritative advice to Member States and leading coordination of technical work across WHO Europe to promote NCD prevention. The role involves developing multi-sectoral approaches, representing WHO in relevant forums, and mobilizing partners to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice to Member States on policies, strategic directions and priorities on nutrition, physical activity and obesity and provide leadership for prevention of NCDs.
• Develop and implement integrated multi-sectoral approaches to strengthen delivery capacities for nutrition and obesity activities and related action plans and strategies in the WHO European Region.
• Represent WHO Europe and provide authoritative advice on nutrition, physical activity, obesity and NCD prevention in meetings and liaise with international, regional and national health authorities and partners.
• Lead horizontal coordination of technical work across nutrition, obesity, physical activity and various units within the Division and Organization for optimal integration.
• Develop tools and advise Member States on evidence-based nutrition, physical activity and obesity prevention policies and plans, including innovative recommendations and models for integration within health systems.
• Coordinate and facilitate uptake of WHO tools, information gathering, and preparation of technical and scientific documents.
• Guide development of joint initiatives and work plans with professional societies and WHO Collaborating Centres related to nutrition, physical activity and obesity.
• Develop, direct and coordinate strategic initiatives related to childhood obesity including support to the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI).
• Lead convening of regional stakeholders and management of partnerships and coordination groups for nutrition and obesity prevention initiatives.
• Act as WHO focal point for European Salt Action Network (ESAN), WHO European Network on Reducing marketing pressure on children, European network for health-enhancing physical activity and other relevant networks.
• Mobilize partners to promote physical activity in all settings and reduce sedentary time as an independent risk factor for NCDs.
• Identify opportunities and areas of mutual interest with potential donors.
• Regularly monitor and assess performance of the technical area through evaluation and reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in public health.
• Advanced degree in social sciences, law or field relevant to the position (desirable).
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health programmes, particularly on non-communicable diseases and/or nutrition, physical activity, obesity at national and international levels.
• Demonstrated practical experience in implementing or advising on key domains of nutrition and physical activity and the implementation of international public health policies.
• Proven practical experience and track record in implementing or advising on key domains of nutrition and physical activity promotion, supporting evidence-based control legislation and policies, data analysis and intersectoral capacity building.
• Relevant experience in WHO, UN organizations/agencies, international institutions or NGOs (desirable).
• Proven experience working in partnership with UN organizations, private sector, multinational organizations and NGOs (desirable).
• Relevant experience in intersectoral work and resource mobilization (desirable).
• Proven experience working with Ministries of Health and other Ministries/Governmental Agencies/Legislative Authorities (desirable).
• Demonstrated knowledge of global and regional public health aspects of nutrition, physical activity, obesity and NCDs.
• Expert level knowledge in aspects relevant to the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.
• In depth knowledge of the political, social and health systems of countries in the WHO European Region.
• Strong diplomatic and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal technical supervision.
• Emotional awareness and ability to manage emotions effectively.
• Expert knowledge of English.
• Intermediate knowledge of French/German/Russian (desirable).

Skills

• Public Health Programs
• Non-Communicable Diseases
• Nutrition Policy
• Physical Activity Promotion
• Obesity Prevention
• International Public Health Policies
• Data Analysis
• Intersectoral Capacity Building
• Evidence-based Legislation
• Partnership Building
• Resource Mobilization
• Work with Ministries of Health
• Global Public Health Knowledge
• Regional Public Health Knowledge
• NCD Prevention
• Strategic Planning
• Technical Leadership
• Diplomatic Negotiation
• Intersectoral Approaches
• English Language

Languages

English, French, German, Russian