Mental Health Officer – Brain Health (Mental Health Department)

The Department’s mission is to promote mental health, and human rights for all across the lifespan; to prevent the harmful use of alcohol and other substances, to prevent mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders; and to reduce the mortality, morbidity and disability for persons with MNS disorders and associated psychosocial, cognitive and intellectual disabilities.

Objectives

• To promote care, recovery and the human rights of people with mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders and associated disabilities,
• To increase access to affordable, good-quality services and supports for people with MNS disorders and associated disabilities, their families and communities within the context of UHC and across the life course,
• To include care for people with MNS disorders and associated disabilities in emergency responses for immediate relief and to build back better,
• To prevent suicide, MNS disorders, harm due to alcohol and other substances, and addictive behaviours, across the life course.

Description Of Duties

In the area of brain health:

• Provide technical input to the work program.
• Participate, as requested, in in-country activities concerning promotion, prevention, care, management, data and research.
• Provide technical input in the development, testing and/or dissemination of WHO and inter-agency normative guidance and tools.
• Support WHO senior staff in the implementation of relevant public health programmes with Member States, UN agencies and Non-State Actors and support WHO’s efforts to advocate for the area.
• Conduct research and promote the implementation of a research agenda.
• Collect and analyze data on MNS conditions and their consequences, and on promotion, prevention and care, and prepare and disseminate data-based information.
• Participate in the capacity building.
• Exchange information with counterparts in technical departments at HQ and in Regional and Country Offices, and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) on the implementation of relevant policies and strategies.
• Support, if requested, WHO’s response to mental health in emergencies.
• Contribute to the monitoring of work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow-up on the implementation of planned activities.
• Review and follow up on contractual engagements with partners and institutions. Perform all other related duties as assigned.
• Specific duties (Two or three Specific duties could be added if required for the specific assignment in a specific region or area of work)
• Provide technical assistance for the development of normative tools for brain health and neurological disorders across the life course.
• Provide support to countries in the implementation of global action plans on epilepsy and other neurological disorders.
• Provide support to countries in the implementation of the global action plan on public health response to dementia.

Required Qualifications

Education

Essential: A first-level university degree relevant to mental health or brain health (e.g., public health, psychology, psychiatry, neurology/neurosciences, medicine, mental health/psychiatric nursing, mental health/psychiatric social work, occupational therapy, health economics, and epidemiology)

Desirable: Advanced university degree relevant to mental health or brain health (e.g., specialization in public mental health, clinical or counselling psychology, psychiatry, neurology/neurosciences, mental health/psychiatric nursing, mental health/psychiatric social work, psychiatric or neuro-epidemiology)

Experience

Essential: At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in mental health or brain health or alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours focusing on services, promotion, prevention or research and data. One year demonstrated exposure at the international level.

Desirable: First-hand working experience at the country level in mental health or brain health or alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours in low- or middle-income countries.

Skills

• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of speciality (knowledge of epidemiology, policies, systems, and interventions [including treatments, promotion, and preventive activities] for MNS conditions, mental health and human rights).
• Knowledge of country-level situations with regard to mental health or brain health or alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours with a good understanding of country needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, and guidelines and in the related areas.
• Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, and make conclusions and recommendations.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned programs and activities.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Public speaking techniques.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of 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 64,121 (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 4451 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

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar TA 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 Manual.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The 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.
• The 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 can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected]
• 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.
• 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 [email protected].
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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Grade

P3

Contractual Arrangement

Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)

1 year

Job Posting

Dec 5, 2023, 8:46:36 PM

Closing Date

Dec 27, 2023, 4:44:00 AM

Primary Location

Switzerland-Geneva

Organization

HQ/MSD Mental Health and Substance Use

Schedule

Full-time

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