Job Description

IMPORTANT: This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of Canada and is addressed exclusively to nationals of Canada. The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system. For more information about the JPO Programme and eligibility criteria, please visit the site of the JPO Service Centre.

Objective of the WHO Programme/Department:

The mission of WHO’s UHC/Healthier Populations Division is to contribute to reducing health inequalities and reducing preventable disease and injury caused by environmental, social and economic determinants of health. This is achieved through a coordinated inter-sectoral approach aimed at enabling all people to enjoy better health and well-being, in line with the Organization’s 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13) and the Sustainable Development Goals. Within the Division, the Department of Social Determinants of Health leads WHO’s efforts on addressing the social, physical and economic conditions that impact upon health, by compiling and disseminating evidence on what works to address these determinants, building capacity and advocating for more action. The Department supports Member States and other partners to address violence and unintentional injuries, foster healthy ageing and improve equity and well-being. This will be facilitated through cross-cutting initiatives on improving urban health, addressing economic and commercial determinants, and developing strategic frameworks and evidence-based policies.

Within the Department, the cross cutting work stream on economic and commercial determinants of health focuses five main areas of work:

(1) normative work, including building the evidence base of what works to address economic determinants of health;

(2)building partnerships and networks to scale up implementation of effective interventions;

(3)developing synergies between different economic determinants of health initiatives;

(4)capacity building in addressing economic determinants of health; and

(5) global advocacy.

Assignment Summary:

Under the supervision of the Global Lead, the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) supports the work on various activities relating to the economic and commercial determinants of health.

This position specifically supports the strategic priorities of the Economic and Commercial Determinants of Health Unit relating to evidence synthesis, data and measurement, research and analytical work, advocacy and communication and internal and external partnership building.

This will include supporting efforts in the collection and dissemination of case studies; in the context of the development of the first Global Report on the Commercial Determinant of Health, this will also include supporting WHO technical work to clarify and operationalize definitions, to identify and prioritize data sources at the local, national and international levels, and evidence synthesis to address the barriers and enablers to integrate measurement into routine national surveillance and global burden of disease systems. The JPO will be expected to contribute to maintaining relationships with counterparts in other relevant units, departments and divisions working on data and evidence synthesis, as well as external counterparts in academia and other organizations such as the United Nations Development Partnership (UNDP).

Duties, Responsibilities and Output expectations

Under the overall supervision of the unit lead, the JPO shall perform the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Be responsible for the collection, development and dissemination of case studies
2. Support the development of technical documents relating to data and measurement of the economic and commercial determinants of health.
3. Support the organization of consultations, WHO events and expert meetings relating to data and measurement of the economic and commercial determinants of health.
4. Liaise with experts, internal stakeholders and organizations relevant to the workstream.
5. Assist in the development of the Global Report on the Commercial Determinants of Health.
6. Support in the preparations of the WHO Global Conference on the Economic and Commercial Determinants of Health
7. Assist in the delivery of virtual meetings, in person meetings, consultations, and other convening activities as well as webinars and other advocacy activities.
8. Support the development of communications and advocacy materials related to the economic and commercial determinants of health workstream
9. Perform other task that may be assigned by the supervisor.

During the period of assignment, the JPO would have contributed to the following key outputs:

1. The Global Report on the Commercial Determinants of Health
2. The WHO Global Conference on the Economic and Commercial Determinants of Health.
3. Advocacy and communication material

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Minimum: An advanced university degree in social or political science, economics or finance, public policy, public administration, international relations, public health, or equivalent fields.

Work experience:

• Minimum: At least two years’ experience in health, economic development, finance or related area at the local or national level. Experience in technical meeting preparation and report drafting.
• Desirable: Experience working in trade policy, economic development, industrial policy, or financial policy. Familiarity with WHO/UN, experience at the international level. Previous experience in data analysis, establishment or the administration of surveillance systems.

Skills required for the assignment:

Minimum:

• Fluency in English. Knowledge of French would be an asset.
• Good organizational and communication skills.
• Excellent ability to liaise with institutions and interact with a variety of different stakeholders
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual, data-driven information.

Desirable:

• Ability to liaise and coordinate with city networks.
• Good MS-Office and web publishing skills
• Proven track record of involvement in scientific publications

WHO competencies required for the assignment:

1. Fostering integration and teamwork

2. Communicating in a credible and effective way

3. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

4. Producing results

Nationality and age of the applicant

• This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of Canada and is addressed exclusively to nationals of Canada. For more information about the JPO Programme and eligibility criteria, please visit the site of the JPO Service Centre.
• Age of applicant: maximum 32 years of age on 31 December 2023

Attachments

• Brief motivation letter
• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your Master’s degree

Learning objectives of the JPO during this assignment

Upon completion of the assignment, the JPO will have / be able to …

1. Understand contemporary understandings of, priorities regarding, and activities addressing, the commercial determinants of health, including the role of trade, finance, and economic development and wider social determinants of health.
2. Understand the mandate, functioning, and scope of the WHO at the three levels.
3. Develop strong professional relationships and interpersonal skills in a UN and multicultural environment.
4. Understand the critical role of measurement in public health action.
5. Be able to advise on the surveillance of CDOH.

Learning ObjectiveTraining ComponentsWhen?

1.Understand contemporary understandings of, priorities regarding, and activities addressing, the commercial determinants of health.

Review of expert discussions, evidence, and preparation of documents.

Participate in the review of reports by other units from a commercial determinants of health lens.

Supporting the development offact sheets and other technical products.

Attendance at departmental meetings.

Throughout the JPO assignment2.Understand the mandate, functioning, and scope of the WHO at the three levels.

Induction into Unit

Attendance of Technical Briefings for Member States

Attendance at interregional focal points meetings.

Assistance with country-level support.

Liaison with different levels during consultation and meetings.

Throughout the JPO assignment4.

Develop strong professional relationships and interpersonal skills in a UN and multicultural environment.

Mentorship by supervisor and another WHO mentor

Liaise with stakeholders.

Support the organization of virtual meetings, in person meetings, consultations, and other convening activities as well as webinars and other advocacy activities.

Throughout the JPO assignment6.Understand and advise on the critical role of measurement in public health action, and advisee on CDoH surveillance.

Engagement with academic stakeholders.

Assist in the identification, compilation, and synthesis of best practices.

Contribute to projects that explore different methodologies to map the CDoH.

Throughout the JPO assignment

The UN is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

The UN does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with the UN international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. We advise applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

We are not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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How to apply

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