Position: Young Professionals Programme - Technical Officer

Organization: WHO

Apply: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2106649&tz=GMT%2B01%3A00&tzname=Europe%2FBerlin

Eligibility criteria

The following eligibility criteria in addition to the minimum requirements of the position will be used to shortlist candidates: 

• To be no older than 35 years on 31 December of the year of application.
• To be a national of a country eligible for the Programme: List of Eligible Countries.
• To hold a relevant university degree obtained in your home country or other eligible country.*

*Exceptions will be considered where no institute of higher education exists offering the degrees required for eligibility to this Programme as per the World Higher Education Database.

Summary of Assigned Duties

Under the supervision of the Unit Head of the Food and Nutrition Actions in Health Systems unit in the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, the incumbent will: 

• Prepare documents conveying WHO guidance on maternal nutrition and infant and young child feeding; 
• Support WHO processes in the development of guidelines and implementation tools on essential nutrition actions in primary health care; 
• Develop training materials and skills assessment tools for clinical and public health personnel in countries; 
• Provide technical support to countries on the implementation of essential nutrition actions in primary health care; 
• Support the engagement of external partners and networks; 
• Plan face-to-face and virtual meetings with external expert groups and implementing agencies; 
• Track the progress of project plans, schedules, budgets and expenditures; 
• Perform other tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to think strategically; to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in teams.
• A strong commitment to international public health; an interest in adapting to varied physical and professional environments; and a desire to work with people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to support appropriate projects related to the integration of essential nutrition actions in community programmes and primary health care delivery. 
• Demonstrated ability to analyse technical issues, to write and present scientific technical information clearly and concisely with good communication and presentation skills.
• Maturity, initiative, tact and a high sense of responsibility. 
• Ability to work in close collaboration with different nationalities, scientific fields and cultural backgrounds.

Education Qualifications

Essential

Advanced university degree in public health, health service delivery, maternal and child health, or nutrition and a relevant first university degree. A university degree in a relevant subject must have been obtained in your home country or other eligible country.

Desirable

Advanced university degree in nutrition with specific training in maternal, infant and young child nutrition.

Experience

Essential

At least 2 years' work experience in public health nutrition programmes.  

Desirable

Experience in the delivery of maternal, infant and young child nutrition services. Experience in the preparation of guidance materials for use in public health programmes. Experience in presenting scientific evidence to different audiences, including policy makers, community health workers or non-academic professionals. 

Use of Language Skills

Essential

Intermediate knowledge of English.   

Desirable

Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish.

Other Skills

Ability to use computer software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and specific nutrition-related software (e.g. Epilnfo and other evidence assessment programmes). Training and curriculum development skills. Effective communication skills.