Job Vacancy at World Health Organization (WHO): National Professional Officer Hepatitis/TB/HIV (SSA)

Position: National Professional Officer Hepatitis/TB/HIV (SSA)

JOB SUMMARY

A key purpose of the WHO Universal Health Coverage for Communicable Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases (UHC CND) is to ensure all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. This includes the full spectrum of essential, quality health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care across the life course.

Under the supervision UHC CND Cluster Lead and general direction of the WHO Representative for Tanzania, the incumbent will contribute to expand the implementation of the Global HIV, STI and Hepatitis as well as the End TB strategies and strengthen disease control by applying effective strategies and policies, including those related to addressing co-infection and multi-drug resistance; increasing the involvement of communities, health-care providers, nongovernmental organizations and corporate partners, through increased country support and effective partnerships; to strengthen surveillance, monitoring and evaluation of HIV, STI and TB.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide strategic and technical support for the development of health sector HIV, STI and TB policies, guidelines and plans for prevention, treatment and care, while ensuring specific attention to children, pregnant and lactating women, key populations as well as patients with co-infections, (HIV/TB, HIV/Hepatitis B and C and other co-infections) and ensuring programmatic coordination for synergies and efficiencies with TB and other relevant health programmes.
Assess the epidemiological and programmatic situation through analysing programmatic, consumption and surveillance data, as well as triangulation of data sets in order to ensure, at all times, a good understanding of the HIV, STI and TB situation at national and sub-national levels and help design and implement appropriate interventions.
Support the development of operational plans and translation of normative guidance from WHO and partners into actions and activities and enable progressive realization by the government.
Actively promote harmonization and integration of HIV, STI and TB programming with overall health systems especially in the areas of disease surveillance, integrated people-centered care delivery, legislation and regulations including drug regulatory policies, social protection and health care financing to strengthen and sustain HIV and TB
Support programmatic operational research and country contribution to identify innovative strategies which inform policy recommendations, strategies and enable evidence-based decision making and programming for HIV, STI and TB and the documentation of best practices.
Support the development of patient-centered approach in areas of linkages and retention to care and related strategies.
Provide technical support for the implementation and monitoring of the HIV, STI and TB programme performance, by supporting the establishment of a joint government-led platform for real-time monitoring of progress at decentralized level and also conducting periodic programme reviews, and supporting the use of data for decision-making at all levels of the health system for the resolution of policy and implementation bottlenecks, including through capacity building activities.
Mobilize resources and support effective use of resources through effective implementation of priority activities, in particular those supported through the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and PEPFAR; support preparation of documents for various purposes including donor proposals and reports.
Strengthen collaboration with international technical and funding partners including technical institutions, financial institutions, academia, private sector and bilateral donors as well as for facilitating the timely mobilization of experts
Support production and transmission of quality data for the production of the Global AIDS Monitoring and the Global TB report, in addition to the production of the national accountability frameworks, with its attached score card;
Keep the WHO Country Representative consistently abreast of the epidemiological situation for HIV, STI and TB, the progress of the response and make available relevant intelligence for advocacy purposes.
Liaise with the Inter-country Support Team, WHO Regional Office and headquarters in providing technical support to the HIV and TB Programmes.
Perform any other duties assigned by the WHO Representative.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in Medicine from a recognized university

Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Epidemiology or Public Health; Training in HIV prevention, care and treatment and training in Tuberculosis prevention and control.

Experience:

Essential: At least seven (5) years of experience in HIV prevention, treatment and care, prevention and control of Tuberculosis, drug resistant Tuberculosis, TB/HIV control at national/subnational level in developing countries. Practical experience in programme review and strategic plan development

Desirable: Experience working with the Ministry of Health, international agency and experience with the UN and knowledge of UN processes is an advantage. A minimum of 3 years of working experience in large public health projects would be an asset. Experience in HIV treatment and care, HIV/TB including experience with key populations programming, and health systems strengthening approaches. Familiarity with Global Fund Policies & Procedures.

WHO Competencies