• Country: Geneva, Switzerland
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-02-05

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) is the main instrument within the United Nations system for identifying research priorities on sexual and reproductive health and rights; for promoting, conducting, evaluating and coordinating related interdisciplinary research; for collaborating with countries to build national capacity to conduct research; and for promoting the use of research results in policy making and sexual and reproductive health programmes. HRP is operated from within the World Health Organization’s Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (SRH). The Department draws on HRP research and global expertise to set norms and standards and develop global guidelines, and to support programme development in sexual and reproductive health and rights. More information about SRH and HRP can be found at https://www.who.int/teams/sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-research.The Prevention of Unsafe Abortion Unit (PUA) is responsible for research and development, innovation, evidence synthesis, development of guidance and implementation tools, provision of specialized technical support, and dissemination of information on evidence-based practices on prevention of unsafe abortion, including safe and quality abortion services and post-abortion care.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Focusing on research into the legal and human rights aspects of comprehensive abortion care the incumbent will:

(1) Serve as senior technical and scientific reference among the peer community, Member States, cosponsors and other UN Agencies, and other stakeholders.

(2) Develop research priorities, drawing on the scientific expertise and literature, recommendations of HRP advisory bodies, input from Member States and cosponsoring agencies, colleagues, and other stakeholders including the regional and country offices. Based on research priorities developed, the incumbent will ensure the development and establishment of short-term operational plans and longer-term strategic plans for research and development in this area of focus.

(3) Lead and oversee research activities, including: (i) the conceptualization and development of research protocols, (ii) identification and recruitment of national partner research institutions, (iii) conceptualization and production of research agreements,(iv) organization of scientific meetings, (v) coordinate the facilitation of training workshops, (vi) conducting research site monitoring visits, (vii) collaborations with data management companies or organizations, (viii) oversight of the network of institutions participating in the research projects,(ix) analysis, write-up and publication of results, (x)evaluation of processes and results in preparation for subsequent research projects.

(4) Coordinate the strengthening of the capacity of research centres to ensure high quality research that is compliant with generally accepted scientific and ethical standards.

(5) Synthesize evidence, carry out and commission systematic reviews of the literature in the field, input to evidence-based operational guidelines.

(6) Ensure the writing and preparation of technical progress reports to governing and advisory bodies, WHO reporting requirements, and donors.

(7) Ensure adequate publication, conceptualize and draft manuscripts in the scientific literature of research outputs, and lead related communications activities to strengthen the dissemination, adaptation and use of WHO and HRP outputs by WHO Member States, working in close collaboration with the HRP communications team and the WHO Department of Communications.

(8) Builds and maintains strong partnerships with governments, NGOs, private sector and other stakeholders to generate and use evidence for increased access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

(9) Support fundraising activities for increased financial support this area of work

(10) Carryout other tasks, as required by the Unit Head and Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree in public health or another field related to SRH.

Desirable: Doctoral degree or equivalent in a related field or a degree in law.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of experience in research and research management relating to sexual and reproductive health, including experience at the international level.
• At least 5 years of direct experience in coordinating or leading research projects

Desirable:

• Working experience in a UN agency or an international nongovernmental organization in low- and middle-income countries.

Skills

• Expert knowledge of safe abortion and its law and rights aspects.
• Strong research, analytical and scientific writing skills, as evidenced by an extensive track record of peer-review scientific publication in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights relevant to the job profile.
• Fundraising knowledge and skills, as evidenced by previous success in mobilizing resources.
• Strong communication and diplomatic skills.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Expert knowledge of Other UN Language.
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 92,731 (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 6893 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.

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