OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The Convention Secretariat is the global entity leading the implementation of the WHO FCTC and the Protocol. The WHO FCTC entered into force on 27 February 2005 and has 183 Parties, and the Protocol entered into force on 25 September 2018 and has 70 Parties. The role of the Convention Secretariat is to support Parties to the WHO FCTC and to the Protocol with implementation of the treaties, in order to achieve the objectives of protecting present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke, and eliminating all forms of illicit trade in tobacco. The Convention Secretariat promotes and raises the visibility of the treaties. It also supports countries in becoming Party to the treaties.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The successful individual will:
- Lead the Convention Secretariat and serve governing and subsidiary bodies of the WHOFCTC and the Protocol to further the implementation of specific provisions of the treaties and support the development of treaty instruments, including guidelines for implementation, in a complex political environment.
- Provide support to Parties in developing and implementing tobacco control measures, as per the treaties' obligations, as well as in protecting their public health, anti-illicit trade and anti-fraud policies from the efforts of the tobacco industry (as well as organizations and individuals that work to further the interests of the tobacco industry) to undermine those policies.
- Promote political awareness, visibility and support for the WHO FCTC and the Protocol: strengthen treaty-related international cooperation; support South-South and Triangular cooperation; collaborate with the United Nations Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases; promote the treaties in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- Monitor and report to the governing bodies of the treaties on the implementation by the Parties of the WHO FCTC and the Protocol, as well as implement, monitor, assess and report on priorities identified by the governing bodies of the treaties.
- Manage the day-to-day running of the Convention Secretariat, including mobilizing resources for the implementation of the workplans and budgets adopted by the COP and the MOP.
- Any other duties, as may be mandated by decisions of the COP and the MOP, including as articulated in the Rules of Procedure of the COP and of the MOP.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: An advanced degree (at least Master's or equivalent degree) in public health, public administration, international law, international relations or other relevant discipline.
Desirable:Experience
Essential:
- At least 15 years of experience including a minimum of five years' international experience in tobacco control, international health, fight against illicit trade, including working with international organizations and Member States, and maintaining strong links with the international tobacco control and the international anti-fraud community, coordinating with, for example, national governments, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and professional and academic bodies.
Desirable: Experience working in developing countries.
Skills
Strong background and knowledge on technical and regulatory issues, and substantive experience in tobacco control, public health, the fight against illicit trade and international cooperation. A strong commitment to the objectives and implementation of the Convention and the Protocol as well as to evidence-based promotion and protection of public health and the fight against illicit trade, in accordance with the principles of the Convention and the Protocol. Demonstrable leadership skills and experience, including the ability to translate into action the COP and MOP vision for the Convention and the Protocol. A health record compatible with carrying out the duties of the post.ยWHO Competencies
Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Moving forward in a changing environment Creating an empowering and motivating environment Driving the Organization's position in Healthย Leadership Setting an exampleUse of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of any other official WHO language (French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian).
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 128,422 (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 8711 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.
SELECTION PROCEDURES
1. This selection is subject to special selection procedures. Further details of these procedures shall be made available upon request to morfinc@who.int.
2. All candidates will be expected to complete a Declaration of Interest form in which, among other things, they will declare that they have never had any professional relationship[i] with, or received any form of funding or support from the tobacco industry[ii] or from entities representing the interests of the tobacco industry. In addition, candidates will be requested to complete the Declaration of Interest form for the Convention Secretariat, developed pursuant to decisions FCTC/COP8(4) and FCTC/MOP1(13) of the governing bodies of the treaties.
3. In case of appointment, the successful candidate and the members of their immediate family commit not to engage in any relationship with the tobacco industry or with any partner in a partnership with the tobacco industry, including any whether gainful or not, within five (5) years
following the end of their appointment.
4. This is a time limited appointment of four (4) years, with the possibility of a single renewal for a further four (4) years.
5. Applicants are invited to attach a motivation letter and are encouraged to keep the length of their application below 3500 words.
6. Because of the nature of the procedure established by decisions FCTC/COP10(21) and FCTC/MOP13(12), parts of the selection process, including the list of candidates, may be shared with members of the COP and the MOP.ย
[i] โProfessional relationshipโ should be understood as not including a public officeholderโs interactions with the tobacco industry required for setting and
implementing public policies with respect to tobacco control.โ
[ii] โTobacco industryโ is defined in Article 1 of WHO FCTC and means tobacco manufacturers, wholesale distributors and importers of tobacco products;