Regional Adviser (Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity)

%3Ch2%3EOBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME%3C/h2%3E%3Cp%3EThe Prevention and Health Promotion Division spearheads WHO/Europe%27s work in ensuring people in the European Region thrive in healthy environments and avoid premature disease and death through integrated prevention across the spectrum of health and disease.%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EPrevention and Health Promotion will positively impact the 1,8 million annual avoidable deaths due to non-communicable diseases, 60% of those through prevention, and 40% through treatment (2024).

This impact aligns with SDG target 3.4 of reducing by one third premature mortality from NCDs by 2030[impact].%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThe Division will focus on country scale-up of proven best-buy interventions, with the main goal of increasing national coverage of measures that deliver results within five years (%22quick-buys%22) and/or in the longer term [outcome].

%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ETo increase coverage of lifesaving interventions, the Division focuses on building political and financial commitment, developing regional and country strategies and policy options, providing targeted technical assistance, and facilitating surveillance, documentation and dissemination of information and good practices [output].

%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ETechnical experts in the Division at the Regional Office are grouped in two functional areas, working in affiliation with two GDOs, through a network of Prevention and Health Promotion focal points in Country Offices. The Division works closely with the GDO on Primary Healthcare (covering PHC based prevention opportunities), and Headquarters (in relation to specialized NCD services).

%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EFunctional teams at the Regional Office address focus integration of prevention approaches across the house, and leading WHO/Europe%27s work on the reduction of risk factors:%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EIntegrated Prevention - ensuring coordination of WHO%27s prevention portfolio in the Region, with a focus on generating commitment, strategies and insights for promoting health at regional and country level, based on relevant strategic information and including innovation, behavioural and cultural insights.

%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3ERisk Factors - focused on scaling up quick-buy/best-buy intervention addressing key risk factors including tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diets, physical activity, and obesity.%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cp%3EThe Quality-of-Care Project Office based in Athens focuses on the primordial role that ‘Quality of Care%27 plays for preventing unintended negative consequences of treatment and care.

It continues to ensure and maximize the quality of health services across the spectrum of health and disease, which are mostly related to secondary, tertiary and quaternary prevention of NCDs.%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThe European Centre for Environment and Health (GDO, Bonn) focuses on the creation of healthy environments and climate change adaption and mitigation.

%3C/p%3E%3Ch2%3EDESCRIPTION OF DUTIES%3C/h2%3E%3Cp%3EThe purpose of the post in to provide strategic planning and leadership, as well as authoritative advice and direction to Member States, in respect to promotion of nutrition and physical activity, and tackling obesity. Lead the horizontal coordination of the technical work across the Organization anchoring the physical activity, nutrition and food systems issues on their agendas for optimal integration of activities related to NCD prevention, and to mobilise partners to promote physical activity in all settings and across the life course and to reduce sedentary time which is an independent risk factor for NCDs.

%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EUnder the guidance of the relevant supervisors, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities:%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EKey duties:%3C/strong%3E%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EProvide advice to Member States on policies, strategic directions and priorities on nutrition, physical activity and obesity and as a content expert provide leadership and direction for prevention of NCDs.

%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EDevelop and implement integrated multi-sectoral approaches to strengthen delivery capacities for the nutrition and obesity activities of the EPW, the European Food and Nutrition Action Plan, the Physical activity strategy for the WHO European Region and the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in the WHO European Region.

%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3ERepresent WHO Europe and provide authoritative advice on matters related to nutrition, physical activity, obesity and prevention of NCDs in relevant meetings, liaison with international, regional and national health authorities and external partners.%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3ELead the horizontal coordination of the technical work between nutrition, obesity, physical activity and various units of the Division and across the Organization anchoring the NCD issues, including promotion of sustainable healthy diets on their agendas for optimal integration.

%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EDevelop tools and instruments and advise Member States in evidence-based nutrition, physical activity and obesity prevention policies and plans for national NCD prevention in cooperation with the teams in GDOs, PHP, and other divisions and country offices, including the design, testing and deployment of innovative, context-based recommendations and models for integration of NCD interventions within health systems to ensure high-quality services for the prevention and control of NCDs across the care continuum.

%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3ECoordinate and facilitate the uptake of WHO tools, information gathering, writing, and finalization of formal technical/strategic documents and state of art scientific papers.%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EGuide the development of joint initiatives and work plans with professional societies and WHO Collaborating Centres dealing with nutrition, physical activity, obesity and related issues, aligning joint activities of EPW flagship initiatives and monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of collaboration.

%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EDevelop, direct and coordinate strategic initiatives related to childhood obesity including the convening and support to the member states action network on childhood obesity: Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI).%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3ETake a lead role in convening regional stakeholders and establishing and managing regional partnership/s and coordination group/s to steer novel approaches in implementation of nutrition and obesity prevention initiatives, including brief interventions in primary healthcare settings and improving digital food environments.

%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EAct as the WHO focal point for European Salt Action Network (ESAN), WHO European Network on Reducing marketing pressure on children and European network for the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity and other relevant networks for nutrition, physical activity and obesity.%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EMobilize partners to promote physical activity in all settings and across the life course and to reduce sedentary time which is an independent risk factor for NCDs.

%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EIdentify opportunities and special areas of mutual interest with potential donors.%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3ERegularly monitor and assess the performance of the technical area through evaluation and reporting.%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EPerform other duties as assigned.%3Cbr%3E%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Ch2%3EREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS%3C/h2%3E%3Ch3%3EEducation%3C/h3%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEssential%3C/strong%3E: Advanced university degree in public health.

%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesirable%3C/strong%3E: Advanced degree in social sciences, law or field relevant to the position.%3C/p%3E%3Ch3%3EExperience%3C/h3%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEssential%3C/strong%3E:%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EAt least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health programmes, particularly on non-communicable diseases and/or nutrition, physical activity, obesity at national and international levels, including demonstrated practical experience in implementing or advising on key domains of nutrition and physical activity and the implementation of the international public health policies.

%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EProven practical experience and track record in implementing or advising on key domains of nutrition and physical activity promotion, and in supporting the implementation of evidence-based control legislation and policies, in data analysis and in intersectoral capacity building.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesirable%3C/strong%3E:%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3ERelevant experience in WHO, UN organizations/agencies, international institutions or NGOs.

%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EProven experience working in partnership with UN organizations, the private sector, multinational organizations and non-governmental organizations%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3ERelevant experience in intersectoral work and resource mobilization.%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EProven experience working with Ministries of Health and other Ministries/Governmental Agencies/Legislative Authorities.

%3Cbr%3E%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Ch3%3ESkills%3C/h3%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EDemonstrated knowledge of global and regional public health aspects of nutrition, physical activity, obesity and NCDs%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EExpert level knowledge in aspects relevant to the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EIn depth knowledge of the political, social and health systems of countries in the WHO European Region.

%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EStrong diplomatic and negotiation skills.%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EDemonstrated ability to work with minimal technical supervision.%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EEmotional awareness; Ability to identify and harness one%27s emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one%27s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.

%3Cbr%3E%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Ch3%3EWHO Competencies%3C/h3%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3ETeamwork%26nbsp;%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3ERespecting and promoting individual and cultural differences%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3ECommunication%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EMoving forward in a changing environment%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3EEnsuring the effective use of resources%3C/li%3E%3Cli%3ECreating an empowering and motivating environment%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Ch3%3E%26nbsp;%3C/h3%3E%3Ch3%3EUse of Language Skills%3C/h3%3E%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEssential%3C/strong%3E: Expert knowledge of English.

%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesirable%3C/strong%3E: Intermediate knowledge of French/German/Russian.%3Cbr%3E%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Ch2%3EREMUNERATION%3C/h2%3E%3Cp%3EWHO 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 103,165 (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 6491 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.%3Cbr%3E%26nbsp;%3C/p%3E%3Ch2%3EADDITIONAL INFORMATION%3C/h2%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EStaff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EThis vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EOnly candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EA written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EIn the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The list can be accessed through the link: %3Ca href=%22http://www.whed.net/%22 rel=%22external%22%3Ehttp://www.whed.net/%3C/a%3E. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EAny appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e. Manual.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EThe Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EStaff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EWHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EWHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (%3Ca href=%22https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion%22 rel=%22external%22 %22=%22%22%3Ehttps://www.

who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion%3C/a%3E) are strongly encouraged to apply.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EPersons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process.

Please send an email to %3Ca href=%22mailto:reasonableaccommodation@who.int%22%3Ereasonableaccommodation@who.int%3C/a%3E with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EAn impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the %3Ca href=%22https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values%22 rel=%22external%22 %22=%22%22%3EWHO Values Charter%3C/a%3E into practice.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EWHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.

e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EMobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EWHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EThe statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years.

For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EPlease note that WHO%27s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW).

The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries.

Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at %3Ca href=%22mailto: shws@who.int%22%3Eshws@who.int%3C/a%3E.%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E%3Cul%3E%3Cli%3EWHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: %3Ca href=%22https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/stellis-user-guide-how-to-apply-to-who-job-opportunities?ua=1%22 rel=%22external%22 %22=%22%22%3EInstructions for candidates%3C/a%3E%3C/li%3E%3C/ul%3E