Technical Officer (Access to Assistive Technologies)
Organizational Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) seeks a Technical Officer to support Pacific Island Countries in strengthening health systems for rehabilitation, vision, and hearing services. This role focuses on expanding access to assistive products and engaging multisectoral stakeholders for a person-centered approach to service delivery, policy, and planning.
Job Purpose
The Technical Officer will provide crucial technical support to Pacific Island Countries, aiming to enhance their health systems for comprehensive rehabilitation, vision, and hearing services, with a specific focus on improving access to assistive products. This involves fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including service users, to ensure coordinated, efficient, and person-centered strategies in policy development, planning, and service delivery. The role is instrumental in mobilizing necessary human and financial resources to advance these critical health areas within the Pacific region. Furthermore, the position will support and engage with regional bodies and initiatives to build local capacity and leadership in rehabilitation, vision, hearing, and assistive technology.
Responsibilities
Develop and propose innovative technical health policies and strategies in collaboration with Regional and Country Offices. Provide expert advice on enhancing rehabilitation, vision, and hearing services to improve technical capacity. Manage the assigned work area, including a small team of technical staff, to achieve program objectives aligned with WHO's mandate. Develop and monitor work plans and budgets, ensuring timely implementation of activities. Analyze data and best practices in public health programs for dissemination. Oversee research activities and capacity-building initiatives. Conduct monitoring and evaluation of the work area, providing timely reports to decision-makers. Offer technical guidance and liaise with internal departments, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders to harmonize policies and strategies. Represent WHO at relevant meetings as delegated. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in health system management, specifically in rehabilitation, vision, and/or hearing services, including policy and strategy development. Demonstrated experience in managing human and financial resources at an international level is essential. Experience with ministries of health, regional organizations, development partners, and engaging with service users is desirable, as is experience in the Pacific region.
Skills
Management of public health programs, policy and strategy development, team and financial resource management, resource mobilization, effective and diplomatic engagement with external partners (Ministries of Health, donors, civil society), and collaboration. WHO competencies include Teamwork, Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences, Communication, Moving forward in a changing environment, and Building and promoting partnerships.