Medical Officer: Reproductive Maternal Newborn & CAH - World Health Organization

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the RMNCAHA Programme is to support Member States in the WHO African Region in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, strategies, guidelines and plans for Reproductive, maternal newborn child and adolescents health and health and well-being of older people in ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning; and to promote healthy ageing towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage in the WHO African Region.

Within the framework of the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health (GSWCAH)(2016-2030), the Decade of healthy ageing 2016-2030 and the Programme works by supporting Member States to develop robust policies, strategies, guidelines and plans aimed at reducing maternal and newborn child and adolescent and healthy ageing mortality and promoting the health and wellbeing of older persons that are guided by WHO recommended norms and standards

It provides technical assistance for building the capacity of Member States for the implementation of national policies for improving maternal neonatal newborn child and adolescent health and wellbeing and for increasing access to services for improving sexual and reproductive health and healthy ageing and supports countries to conduct social mobilization.

It also defines the regional RMNCAHA research and innovations agenda to generate evidence and strengthensRMNCAHA strategic information systems in countries for surveillance, monitoring, evaluation; conducting high-level advocacy and strengthening partnerships through convening and coordination of key partners and stakeholders including AU, RECs, OAFLAD, H6, USAID, BMGF, Global Fund, Buffet Foundation, Professional Associations, civil society organizations etc. to promote harmonized approaches and increased resources for RMNCAHA and healthy ageing.

The goal is to enable countries in the WHO African Region to ensure evidence-based policies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high-quality, integrated, health services, increase the coverage and quality of effective interventions, and create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies and interventions, through strengthened and resilient health systems.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

• The incumbent will implement innovative ways of working to facilitate strong collaboration and linkages with programmes, clusters, and partners (WHO Collaborating Centers, research and teaching institutions, regional and sub-regional economic entities, NGOs, etc.) to ensure that appropriate, efficient and timely support is provided to countries, even during emergencies.
• Provide technical leadership for the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health and Healthy Ageing.
• Facilitate the dissemination of evidence-based guidelines, tools, norms and standards for quality RMNCAHA and Healthy Ageing services to contribute to Member States efforts to end all preventable maternal child and newborn morbidity, end mother-to-child transmission of preventable disease, and ensure universal access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights as well as enhance Health and wellness of older persons by 2030;
• Coordinate and oversee advocacy in the countries of assignment for prioritization of RMNCAHA and Healthy Ageing in the development agenda of member states for improved domestic resources allocation;
• Advise countries to institutionalize Maternal and Perinatal Disease Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) and to document evidence for causes of maternal, perinatal and neonatal deaths and respond appropriately-linking to Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CVRS) and Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR); as part of monitoring the implementation of key MNH and Healthy Ageing interventions and KPIs in the sub Region and supporting Member States to set-up and scale-up sustainable MNH and Healthy Ageing programmes and systems, including but not limited to capacity building of country teams for improved quality of care
• Advise countries on priority child and adolescent health interventions including, but not limited to. scaling up Integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMCI), capacity building for quality of care for child and adolescent health services, operationalizing the nurturing care framework for early childhood development through multisectoral coordination, collaboration and integration into existing policies, strategies and services, implementing adolescent interventions in line with AAHA guidance and establishment of health-promoting schools.
• Oversee the documentation of best practices in RMNCAHA and Healthy Ageing activities for the countries of assignment for country use and feeding into the AFRO Regional and global reporting.
• Facilitate the production and utilization of strategic information,including but not limited to trends of service availability, coverage of interventions and impact regarding the Health of women, newborn, children and adolescents for monitoring and evidence-based decision-making;
• Proactively participate in advocacy and resource mobilization activities for RMNCAHA and Healthy Ageing for the countries of assignment H;
• As part of supporting countries to respond to humanitarian and public health emergencies, the incumbent will play a critical role in ensuring integration of RMNCAHA and Health Ageing and emergency preparedness and response plans
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned in his/her area of expertise, including replacing and backstopping others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Medical degree with a post-graduate degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Pediatrics and Child Health, or Public health.

Desirable: Training in Management, Leadership or Planning.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years' experience at the national and/or international level planning, implementing, managing and evaluating programmes relevant to this post (Reproductive Health, Maternal Health, Newborn Health, Child Health, Adolescent Health, Healthy Ageing), with some experience in resource-limited countries.

Desirable: Field experience complemented by experience in negotiating, developing and maintaining effective partnerships and creating harmonized synergies and approaches. Experience in intergovernmental agencies or the UN System.

Skills

• Demonstrated leadership, management and strong organizational skills combined with the ability to work with diverse teams and a broad range of partners.
• Proven track record in policy formulation and strategic planning, guidelines development, and reporting in the field of Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health, complemented by strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation of RMNCAHA programmes and projects Proven ability to innovate and to motivate, guide and foster national capacity building to advocate, communicate, disseminate and facilitate the implementation of RMNCAH and Healthy Ageing projects complemented by a track record in negotiating, developing and maintaining effective partnerships and creating harmonized synergies and approaches, with emphasis on resources mobilization.

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 Other UN Languages.

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 77,326 (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 3428 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.