WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving financial protection against health-related risks.
WHO Country Office for India is supporting the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to strengthen the existing health systems to cater to the growing needs of mental health and substance abuse.
WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.
The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.9 billion people, with India’s population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.
Mission of the WHO Country Office for India
The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.4 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage.
Description of Duties:
The purpose of this position is to provide strategic technical support to National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in the areas of Research & Evaluation including Operations Research, Implementation Science Research, Process Evaluation, Joint Interim Review Mission, Outcome Evaluation, Impact Evaluation etc. At NACO, the incumbent will work with WHO Country Office and Deputy Director General – Strategic Information of NACO, with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India work plans.
Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India, Deputy Head of WHO Country Office for India and Team Leader (Communicable Diseases) and direct supervision of National Professional Officer (HIV/Hepatitis Prevention and Surveillance), the incumbent will have the following responsibilities in her/his assigned area of work:
Provide technical assistance in coordination of activities under Network of Indian Institutes for HIV/AIDS Research (NIIHAR);
Provide technical support to the NACO team working on Research and Evaluation in implementing all the key activities of National HIV/AIDS Research Plan;
Provide technical support to reviewing and advice on the research proposals submitted to NACO;
Assist in monitoring progress in ongoing research studies and progress notes and executive summaries of various research activities for routine reporting, dissemination, action, feedback;
Work closely with the NACO team working on Research and Evaluation in coordinating programme evaluation component under SR-TISS;
Provide technical support in organizing meetings including Brown Bag Seminar every month, workshops on operational research and dissemination etc.;
Coordinate planning meetings of the Technical Resource Group, NACO Ethics Committee and NIIHAR as and when required;
Develop presentations, technical briefs, briefing notes and project concept notes, study reports as required;
Contribute to other ongoing activities and projects as suggested by supervisors;
Participate in regular HHS team meetings, CD team meetings of WHO and meetings/workshops of NACO as suggested by supervisors; and
Undertake other duties and tasks as assigned by supervisor(s)
Qualification requirements
Education
Essential: Bachelor’s degree in social sciences (Economics/Sociology/Anthropology etc.), medicine or Statistics/Biostatistics.
Desirable: Master’s degree in social sciences (Economics/Sociology/Anthropology etc.), medicine or Statistics/Biostatistics would be an added asset.
Any research degree including MPhil or PhD etc. or postgraduate qualification in community medicine, statistics, public health or epidemiology.
Experience:
Essential: At least one year research experience, in a government department/public sector undertaking, in a multinational corporation, reputed private organizations or NGOs.
Knowledge of data analysis software like SPSS, STATA etc. would an advantage.
Desirable: Past experience of working in HIV/AIDS programme or projects under government or bilateral/ multilateral agencies in India.
Experience of working with State AIDS Control Society or National AIDS Control Organization or other communicable diseases, having good skills in using different data analysis packages will be an added advantage.
Project management experience, including coordination of activities and reporting.
Competencies:
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Functional Skills and Knowledge:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization. Good knowledge of modern office procedures and practices.
Ability to analyse data; Ability to speak and write clearly. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports.
The incumbent should contribute to ensuring high professional, ethical, and institutional standards of the Organization.
Meet professional conduct expectations, and basic universal norms of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and lawful behaviour. This includes compliance with the above, including ability to:
Perform within existing organizational structures and governance.
Adhere to WHO's processes; demonstrate gender and cultural sensitivity.
Demonstrate respectful and constructive interpersonal communication.
