Within the context of implementing the WHO FCTC and the Protocol, the Convention Secretariat supports Parties in fulfilling their obligations under both treaties, provides the necessary support to the governing bodies of the WHO FCTC (the Conference of the Parties, or COP) and of the Protocol (the Meeting of the Parties, or MOP), and implements into programme activities the decisions of both governing bodies.. In supporting Parties to implement Article 21 of the Convention and Article 32 of the Protocol, the Secretariat manages the reporting system of the WHO FCTC and that of the Protocol. In addition, the Convention Secretariat assists Parties in their preparation of the reports and is also responsible for reporting to the COP on the Parties progress in the implementation of the Convention (Article 23.5) and to the MOP in relation to Article 32. The Secretariat, more precisely its Reporting and Knowledge Management team, also coordinates the work of various expert and working groups mandated by the Conference of the Parties and as assigned to it by the Head of the Convention Secretariat. The Secretariat's Reporting and Knowledge Management team, in accordance with decisions of previous COP sessions starting from COP5, carries out knowledge dissemination activities, including the management of the WHO FCTC knowledge hubs. The hubs, specifically, carry out projects and meetings that require technical contribution from the Convention Secretariat. Coordinating and contributing to their work also requires additional capacity with both technical and project management skills.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Technical Officer will work in cooperation with, and under the guidance of the relevant manager in the Convention Secretariat, and shall provide the Secretariat the following assistance:
Contribute to the updating of the reporting instruments of the Convention and the Protocol, respectively, including, but not limited to mechanisms that could help improving the quality of data collected;
Review tobacco-related databases that are maintained within WHO and other UN agencies or international organizations and assess the potential of using their datasets in assessing global progress in implementation of the WHO FCTC and the Protocol;
Critically analyse quality assurance frameworks that exist within the UN agencies and relevant international organizations, as well as the reporting mechanisms of other international treaties, where appropriate;
Draft relevant reports to COP10 and MOP3 and to meetings of the Bureaus of the COP and MOP, as appropriate;
Organize meetings with data owners within and outside WHO to understand their data collection and data managing processes;
Organize expert consultations and communicate with the Parties and other stakeholders, as appropriate, during the process of updating the reporting instruments;
Contribute to the drafting of the relevant global progress reports to be presented to COP and MOP sessions, if requested;
Draft or contribute to the elaboration of reports and other publications that fall within the remit of the Reporting and Knowledge Management team, as requested;
Participate in events/meetings/conferences on the above matters, as requested;
Coordinate, when relevant, with the consultants Reporting and Knowledge Management team and provide them with appropriate technical guidance where and when necessary;
Perform any other tasks, as appropriate, and as requested by the Convention Secretariat.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential:
A first level university degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology, health policy or a related field.
Desirable:
An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in medicine, public health, epidemiology, or health policy, with a specialization in global health.
Experience
Essential:
At least five years of relevant experience in tobacco control or public health, including project management and report writing, of which at least two years at international level or under the auspices of an international organization.
Desirable:
Experience in conducting research in tobacco control, including analysis of the impact of tobacco control strategies and programmes.
Experience in developing tobacco control strategies and programmes and in working with the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC in previous projects is an asset.
Skills
Excellent knowledge of WHO FCTC and the Protocol, the guidelines for implementation of the WHO FCTC, the reporting instruments of both treaties and of the work of the Convention Secretariat;
Proven skills of working with various stakeholders at national, regional or international levels;
Excellent knowledge of tobacco control interventions;
Demonstrated experience in tobacco control research;
Good skills in report writing, literature reviews, data analysis and project management;
Proven experience with managing projects in any area/article related to the WHO FCTC, especially in the areas of non-communicable diseases that have tobacco use as one of their main risk factors;
Familiarity with the needs of developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition, experience with project monitoring and evaluation and experience with engaging key stakeholders would be important assets.
