Technical Officer (Rehabilitation and Disability)

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2603506
• Grade: P4
• Contractual arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
• Contract duration: 2 years
• Organization: WP/DHS Division of Health Systems and Services
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Sep 23, 2026, 9:59:00 PM

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 support Member States to design and implement integrated people-centered health service delivery models, based on the PHC approach and continuing quality improvement. The Service Delivery and Quality (SDQ) unit, Division of Health Systems and Services (DHS), supports the reorganization of health services, strengthening all levels of care, including hospitals, integrating traditional medicines and practice, boosting patient safety and infection prevention and control (IPC), rehabilitation, disability, assistive technology, and long-term care, to accelerate progress towards UHC.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical guidance and support in the development and implementation of robust national health policies, programmes and plans on rehabilitation, disability inclusive health, assistive technology, and long-term care. 
2. Advise and collaborate on the development, implementation, and evaluation of technical cooperation programmes in the areas of PHC reforms, health governance, health policy and systems development, health services organization and management supporting UHC focusing on rehabilitation, disability inclusion, and long-term care perspectives. 
3. Support the establishment of standards for the design, organization and functional health programming and operation of health systems based on PHC and supporting UHC, integrated health service networks including rehabilitation and long-term care facilities, public health infrastructure and services. 
4. Provide technical assistance to Member States to integrate rehabilitation, assistive technology and long-term care in health emergency preparedness and response, taking into consideration the social and cultural aspects for the effective use and access to services. 
5. Provide technical assistance to Member States to ensure continuity of care in emergencies, particularly for people with chronic disorders or disability, and provide measures to strengthen referral channels.
6. Contribute to the identification and targeting of health inequities and the inclusion of persons with disabilities to ensure equitable access to quality health services. 
7. Contribute to the development, planning, and training of human resources in health aimed at increasing the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of the workforce; organize, conduct, or facilitate capacity-building activities in rehabilitation, disability and long-term care.
8. Coordinate the planning and implementation of the technical activities pertaining to quality of care and the health services infrastructure (therapeutic devices, health information system including medical record keeping, etc.). 
9. Record, generate and disseminate knowledge and findings in rehabilitation, assistive technology, disability and long-term care; advise on the introduction and transfer of experiences and technologies through capacity-building processes. 
10. Support the development and consolidation of the health information system to assist in the decision-making processes; provide information on the health situation, status and trends pertaining to the effective and efficient management of health services in rehabilitation, assistive technology, disability and long-term care.
11. Cooperate with internal team members, national authorities, international cooperation agencies, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, in order to develop alliances and networks that promote access to quality services for the affected population.
12. Provide leadership and guidance to the Health Systems team, ensuring that activities are carried out in a highly professional and timely manner, where needed. 
13. Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.
     

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education Qualifications

Essential: Master's degree in public health, health systems/services administration, health management or social sciences or any related field.

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/ .

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of relevant experience, with proven international exposure, in health systems and service delivery, including rehabilitation, assistive technology, disability and/or long-term care, extension of health care services to underserved populations/areas, and developing strategies to overcome barriers to accessing health care services.
Desirable: Experience in low- or middle-income countries on developing policies, planning, implementing, and evaluating programmes in health systems with a focus on rehabilitation, assistive technology disability and/or long-term care.
 

Skills

• Sound knowledge and strong skills in rehabilitation, disability inclusive health care, and/or long-term care services. 
• Proven skills in policy development, planning, monitoring and evaluating health systems. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological, technical advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners in public administration and health system reform in the areas of rehabilitation, disability inclusive health care, long-term care. 
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize and communicate complex concepts and ideas verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to monitor and communicate progress in terms of process and results
   

WHO Competencies
Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:

 who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
 

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. 
• Working knowledge of supply forecasting and inventory control systems for medical supplies.


 

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 2559 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.

• 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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