Technical Officer

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2603817
• Grade: P4
• Contractual arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
• Contract duration: 1 year (subject to availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need for the position)
• Organization: EM/HPD Health Promotion, Disease Prevention %26 Control
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Sep 24, 2026, 12:59:00 AM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To lead, inspire, and strategically direct all programmes in the newly established Department of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control (HPD). This includes oversight of regional actions to prevent and manage communicable and noncommunicable diseases, promote mental health and substance use interventions, and address social, economic, and commercial determinants of health. Thereby, strengthening WHO's collective impact in advancing health promotion and disease control priorities across the Eastern Mediterranean Region, ensuring alignment with WHO's General Programme of Work, the Regional Flagship Initiatives, and the Regional Director's Vision. The objectives of the Programme on Mental Health, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders (MNS) in EMRO are to guide Member States in the development, adaptation and implementation of evidence-informed policies, plans, legislations and interventions aimed at the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental, neurological and substance use disorders, delivery of services based on best practices and standards of care and promoting recovery, and observance of human rights in an inter and multisectoral milieu.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

1.      Support Member States in developing and implementing evidence-informed policies, legislations, national strategies and action plans, surveillance and monitoring systems, related to mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

2.      Provide technical support and advice to civil society organizations and other entities, as appropriate, on issues related to the public health problems associated with mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including Suicide prevention.

3.      Support member states to strengthen coordination, international collaboration, implementation mechanisms, and communication for effective implementation of the WHO EMRO Flagship initiative on “Accelerating public health action on substance use”.

4.      Support countries in the implementation of the regional action plan on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in emergencies 2024-2030.

5.      Draft and assist with the preparation of project proposals to regional/national and global donors to enhance health system response to mental health and substance use disorders.

6.      Foster collaboration and partnerships with other EMRO programmes and initiatives to enhance the implementation of the mental health and brain health-related action plans and substance use flagship initiative.

7.      Support Member States' activities related to the implementation of the global action plan on the public health response to dementia, the suicide prevention initiative, and the implementation of anti-stigma programmes.

8.      Support Member States to establish or strengthen MNS monitoring and surveillance systems.

9.      Prepare and revise technical documents, briefing notes, meeting reports, information products and content of the EMRO website related to work under the incumbent's responsibility, as appropriate.
 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Masters degree in psychiatry, or Clinical Psychology from a recognized institution.
Desirable: Doctorate, certification in the area of mental health and substance use disorder/addiction medicine.
 

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of relevant experience with international exposure in the development and implementation of policies, strategies and action plans in the area of prevention and treatment of mental health conditions and substance abuse across developmental and humanitarian settings.
Desirable: Working experience in developing countries as well as UN bodies and NGOs working in the field of mental health conditions and substance use.
 

Skills

Expert knowledge of: International policy frameworks for reducing public health problems related to mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Psychosocial and epidemiological aspects of mental health, alcohol and substance use and relevant policy responses.

Demonstrated ability to: Provide expert advice and technical assistance to countries on the development and implementation of policies and programmes in the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Plan and conduct capacity building activities in the area of mental health, alcohol and substance use. Assess, evaluate and incorporate new evidence, information and experiences into development of technical advice and information products. Participate effectively in teamwork and meet expectations and deadlines to work effectively in the field and under constraints Demonstrated skills in: Proposal and report writing. Data interpretation and analysis. Effective communication including presentation skills.
 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Promoting innovation and organizational learning
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic or French.

 

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 86,027 (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 2072 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.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, 
  please ensure that: 
  1 -Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated. 
  2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education, training and experience are provided under relevant 
  sections. 
  3- Your experience records are properly entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. 
  - Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: 
  https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/enhanced-who-global-competency-model

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In 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: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

• The 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• WHO 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.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• An 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 WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO 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.

• Mobility 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.

• WHO 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.

• The 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.

• Please note that WHO's 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 shws@who.int.

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