Vacancy Notice No: EURO/08/FT181

Title: Technical Officer, STI/HIV/AIDS Prevention (Ukraine)

Grade: NO-B

Contract type: Fixed-term appointment

Duration of contract: One year, time-limited

Duty Station: KIEV Ukraine

Organization unit: Regional Office for Europe (EURO), Division of Health Programmes (HP), Communicable Diseases (CDS)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :

The overall objectives of the programme are to reduce the transmission, vulnerability and impact of

STI/HIV/AIDS epidemics in the European region, with an emphasis on the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Newly Independant States (NIS). This is achieved through advocacy, policy development, introduction and promotion of appropriate health care services and through surveillance of the epidemics.

The objective of the field activity in Ukraine in this area is to support the country in rapidly scaling up the delivery of comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment care and support in line with national Univeral Access targets by assisting the country to develop and implement a comprehensive programme of work including clear operational plans and monitoring criteria, implementation and treatment guidelines, resources and programme management systems, and by coordinating the activities with all partners in Ukraine.

Description of duties:

To serve as focal point for STI/HIV/AIDS prevention and HIV/AIDS testing and counselling, including but not limited to, the development and implementation of technical and public health policy aspects for scaling-up prevention of HIV/AIDS as related to injecting drug use (including drug substitution treatment), prevention for people living with HIV/AIDS, support to other most at risk populations, and HIV/AIDS testing and counselling.

To contribute to ensuring that the rapidely expanding HIV/AIDS response in Ukraine includes vulnerable groups in an equitable manner and that people are enabled to safely know their HIV status.

To facilitate the effective implementation of all activities related to harm reduction, to working with people with HIV and most at risk populations, and to HIV testing and counseling as part of WHO's contribution to the Universal Access initiative and as defined in Biennial Collaborative Agreement and within the framework and mandate of WHO Regional Office for Europe.

To engage in partnerships with state- and non-state key stakeholders, as part of the UN Joint Team on HIV/AIDS, advocating the implementation of appropriate measures to ensure the extension of Universal Access to most at risk populations, stimulating information sharing, and translating international evidence and best practice and generation of national evidence as appropriate.

To provide guidance for the development of national policies and programmes for HIV/AIDS testing and counselling, harm reduction and work with most at risk populations, contibuting to the elaboration of up-to-date national guidelines and training programmes, the development and implementation of specific indicators and monitoring mechanisms, and strengthening the capacity of national STI/HIV/AIDS programme and NGO partners in HIV/AIDS testing and harm reduction programme development and implementation.

To proactively support fund-raising activities for the continuation and future development of a national HIV/AIDS treatment programme (including development of grant requests) and of WHO activities in the country.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

UIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: University degree in medicine or social sciences, post-graduate specialisation in psychosocial support and/or clinical psychology.

Desirable: Advanced or specialized training in public health, epidemiology or health policy.

Skills:

In-depth knowledge of, and practical experience in work with people living with HIV and support to most at risk populations, in particular injecting drug users, and HIV/AIDS testing and counselling. Ability to keep abreast of new technical and programmatic developments related to harm reduction, work with people living with HIV/AIDS and most at risk populations, and HIV/AIDS testing and counseling. Ability to interpret evolving national and international evidence and best practice from a public health perspective and translate into policy and programme approaches at population level in the context of Ukraine.

Knowledge of WHO programmes and policy guiding country activities within the framework of broad objectives of the Country Programme. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of the team and maintain high standard of personal conduct. Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations (UN system, donors, major NGOs). Proven ability to work effectively with government officials, national and international organizations. Familiarity with project design, implementation and evaluation.

Competencies:

1) Communicating in a credible and effective way — Speaks and writes clearly, adapting communication style and content so they are appropriate to the need of the intended audience. Conveys information and opinions in a structured and credible way. Ability to write in a clear and concise manner. Keeps others informed of key and relevant issues.

2) Producing results — Demonstrates a systematic and efficient approach to work. Produces high-quality results and workable solutions to meet objectives. Monitors own progress against objectives and takes corrective actions when needed. Takes responsibility for own work. Sees tasks through to completion. Identifies priorities and defines realistic objectives and timelines. Is able to quickly re-allocate resources and reset priorities in response to unexpected events and changing needs. Monitors costs and seeks to use resources in an effective and efficient manner.

3) Moving forward in a changing environment — Is receptive to new ideas and working methods. Actively supports change initiatives. Recognizes opportunities for improvement and proposes workable solutions. Actively seeks to apply new methods and technologies to improve work process. Adapts readily and efficiently to changing priorities and demands.

4) Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization — Seeks to understand and promote synergies between the work of WHO and of external partners to improve organizational success. Builds and maintains mutually beneficial work relationships and alliances internally and externally. Creates opportunities to promote synergies to improve outcomes. Encourages people from different parts of WHO, and from different constituencies to work together. Treats colleagues and outside partners respectfully and assists them in a mutually beneficial way.

5) Fostering integration and teamwork — The incumbent is expected to work collaboratively with team members to achieve result. The incumbent encourages co-operation and builds rapport among fellow team members. The incumbent acts in accordance with the team decisions and accepts joint responsibility for the team's successes and shortcomings. Conflicts are identified early and actions to facilitate their resolutation are taken proactively.

Other Skills: Excellent computer skills (Outlook, MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint).

EXPERIENCE:

Essential: Hands-on experience in the development and implementation of HIV/AIDS related prevention and support programmes for most at risk populations and injecting drug users, including project management and implementation of public health programs related to HIV/AIDS and STIs. Experience in policy formulation and implementation related to HIV testing and counseling. Experience in working with government officials as well as with national and international organizations, and/or civil society groups.

Desirable: Knowledge of WHO programmes and policy. Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations (UN system, donors, major NGOs). International managerial experience desirable, preferably with WHO. Experience in providing policy advice to countries and governments is desirable.

LANGUAGES:

Essential: Fluency in Ukrainian, Russian and English

Desirable: Knowledge of other official WHO language is an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Only nationals of the Ukraine are eligible to apply for this post.

Shortlisted candidates should be prepared to participate in a written test or presentation preparation. This is a LOCAL vacancy and as such, WHO does not cover any expenses related to participation in tests and/or interviews.

WHO is employing a fast-track process to fill this vacancy. Therefore, ONLY applications submitted on-line at www.who.int/employment/en will be accepted. The deadline for applicatons is 26 March 2008. All on-line applications are automatically acknowledged. If you do not receive an e-mail within 24 hours confirming receipt of your application, you should verify your on-line profile. In case of repeated difficulties, contact by e-mail hrsrecruitment@euro.who.int indicating the vacancy title/number in the subject line.

Annual salary: (Net of tax) Hrv 154052 at single rate

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or other tobacco users.