Post Date: Oct 28, 2024
Closing Date: Nov 10, 2024
Reference: WHOAFG-2024-10-28
Number of Vacancies: 1
Salary Range: As per company salary scale
Years of Experience: 2 years
Probation Period: 3 month
Contract Type: Contractor
Contract Duration: 6 month
Contract Extensible: Maybe
Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Gender: Any
About World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the technical and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership in global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical and implementation support and monitoring and assessing health trends. In Afghanistan, WHO works to improve the health and well-being of all Afghans by preventing and reducing mortality, morbidity and disability and strengthening health services in close coordination with national and international partners.
Job Summary
The burden of NCDs, including cancer in Afghanistan is on an upward trajectory. Conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases, and diabetes are among the most prevalent NCDs. A study conducted in northern Afghanistan in 2018 showed that the prevalence of coronary artery disease among patients was 17.4%, with female patients having a higher prevalence rate than male patients. According to WHO, NCD account for around 46% of mortality in Afghanistan with a transition towards a heavier burden by 2030 More than 60% of mortality mainly among women by 2030. There is no cancer care being done at all the 34 provincial hospitals and majority of patients who seek tertiary
cancer care have their cancer already at Stage 3 or Stage 4 with metastasis already. Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS), and Essential Package of Hospital Services (EPHS), have historically underrepresented the critical need for NCDs and cancer prevention, community education, early detection, treatment, and palliative care. Consequently, NCDs and cancer services remain sparse, predominantly centralized in Kabul. Afghanistan has a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease with around 40195 deaths annually due to coronary artery disease annually.
The project aims to bridge the current gaps in NCDs response at both national and subnational levels by bolstering diagnostic and case detection capabilities, refining the surveillance system, and enhancing case management across country. Through these concerted efforts, the initiative will contribute significantly to the mitigation of the NCDs burden and the improvement of long-term health outcomes for the Afghan population.
The overall responsibility of the National Community-based NCD Technical Officer who will be managing, implementing, and monitoring of accessibility of the Afghan population to quality NCD screening, cancer screening, health promotion and prevention at community level, including coordination with stakeholders at community and de facto authorities. He/she will closely coordinate with the National Cancer Technical Officer, and National Technical Officer for NCD Technical Officer. This role involves coordinating all project activities, ensuring alignment with project goals, collaborating with healthcare professionals, stakeholders, DfA, specific at community levels. He/she will also work under support of an International NCD Technical Officer.
Duties & Responsibilities
• Help to review the current available policies and strategies related to NCD, including Cancer at community levels.
• Assist on project implementation work plans in accordance to the project timeline
• Help to develop project monitoring checklist in line with project indicators – monitor project progress and adjust activities as necessary to meet targets
• Ensure that NCD and Cancer Program activities are in line in improving health system in the country at community level.
• Ensure alignment of project activities with the objectives of reducing community-based NCD and Cancer incidence, improving early detection, and health prevention/education.
• Identify, assess, and inform the International NCD Technical Officer, WHE Team Lead and Public Health Officer of internal and external issues that affect NCD community-based project management and propose possible solution.
• Support and develop referral guidelines, treatment protocols and implementation of standard operating procedures related to NCD and Cancer prevention and health promotion.
• Coordinate and collaborate with MoPH, PPHDs, NGOs, specific with community organizations and civil society organizations, and community leaders.
• Help in design and oversee the implementation of NCD and Cancer prevention awareness campaigns.
• Ensure accurate and culturally appropriate messaging related to cancer and NCD risks, early detection, and treatment options.
• Help to develop educational materials and training modules for CHWs and communities.
• Assist in organize training workshops and seminars for various stakeholders. At community level and connect with PHCs.
• Organize and support capacity building training going to be conducted by WHO at community-levels.
• Prepare and submit regular reports to the project funders, stakeholders, and senior management.
• Capacity building of CHWs and with midwives in ensuring quality implementation on NCD and cancer screening, including enhancing the HPV Vaccinations at community level.
• Support in contribution on establishment of NCD Technical Working Group under the Health Cluster
• Provide support in improving NCDs surveillance and reporting at community level.
Reporting Responsibilities
The National Community-based NCD Technical Officer will work and be supervised by the Public Health Officer on NCD, MHPSS and DDR, under the overall supervision WHE Team Lead, WHO Country Office Afghanistan.
Job Requirements
Education
• First level university degree in Medicine, and/or Public Health
Experience
• Two or more years’ experience in community-based intervention related to health, NCD and cancer, and with special focus on preventive health care, experience in Healthcare Project Management and /or Health System strengthening.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
• Knowledge of leadership and management principles
• Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities
• Having capacity to lead and facilitate structured and non-structured training programs
• Fluent in English, Pashto and Dari, both in written and verbally.
• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
Languages
• Fluency in English and knowledge of the local languages is required
IT Skills
• Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.
Submission Guideline
Interested applicants meeting the above qualifications are requested to submit their applications quoting this Vacancy Announcement Number (WHOAFG-2024-10-28 with their curriculum vitae along with cover letter and National ID (Tazkira) to below mentioned email: emacoafgvacancies@who.int
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
ONLY CANDIDATES UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEW AND TEST.
ANY APPOINTMENT/EXTENSION OF APPOINTMENT IS SUBJECT TO WHO STAFF REGULATIONS, STAFF RULES AND MANUAL.
WHO is a smoke free Environment.
Contract type, level and duration
– Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
– Contract level: LICA-9 (equivalent to NO-B)
– Contract duration: 6 months, possibility of extension subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
Additional Information
WHO has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, inaction against it and any form of retaliation against victims/survivors or bystanders who disclose, report, or participate in an investigation. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates value congruence, thorough background checks and reference check processes. This will ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded from abusers and that abusers are prevented from joining WHO Afghanistan office. Please report any concerning information regarding sexual exploitation and abuse by WHO workforce and partners to WHO office of Internal Oversight services at investigations@who.int.
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