Technical Officer (Gender and Human Rights)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO’s work in countries operationalizes the General Programme of Work (GPW14) and the European Programme of Work 2025-2029 (EPW2). GPW14 focuses on accelerating progress toward Health for All by strengthening systems for health, improving access to essential services, advancing preparedness and resilience, and reducing health inequalities. EPW2, endorsed at RC75 following extensive consultation with Member States, reaffirms WHO/Europe’s role in bringing unique value to countries through five core functions:
1.    International knowledge hub for health – providing authoritative evidence, norms, policies and best practices from across the Region and globally to inform national public health decision-making.
2.    Impartial coordinator for everyone’s health – convening national stakeholders and partners to align strategies and support coherent, multisectoral responses to shared health challenges.
3.    Leader in tracking and managing cross-border health threats – supporting surveillance, preparedness, and coordinated action on public health emergencies in line with the Preparedness 2.0 agenda.
4.    Driver of health system transformation – advising national authorities on evidence-informed reforms and policies that strengthen health systems and improve performance.
5.    Voice for health equity – helping countries identify who is being left behind and integrating equity considerations into health policies and strategies.

In this context, WHO Country Offices enable the translation of global and regional commitments into national action. They support Member States by providing strategic advice, convening dialogue across sectors and partners, connecting national authorities with WHO’s technical expertise, and facilitating the use of evidence and best practices to inform policy. 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the context of mainstreaming Gender, Equity and Human Rights (GER), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, and more broadly socioeconomic determinants of health, the incumbent will provide technical support and coordination to the implementation of GER- and GBV-related interventions across the priority areas identified in Ukraine.

Key duties:

1. Provide support to the WHO Country Office on gender, equity, human rights and gender-based violence (GBV) in coordination with the WHO Regional Office for Europe and with the UN Gender Thematic Group, national counterparts, the international community, civil society and academia to enhance collaboration and strategic partnership during the consultancy period.
2. Support the WHO Country Office in updating and adapting GER- and GBV-relevant guidelines, materials and tools to the national context to be further utilized in mainstreaming these components into health policies and programmes.
3. Support the WHO Country Office in the development of a country workplan for GER and GBV mainstreaming, and WHO/CO programme teams in integrating gender-responsive and GBV-sensitive approaches into their workplans.
4. Conduct analysis of the use of sex- and age-disaggregated data, gender analysis and GBV risk assessments which ensure knowledge sharing, documentation and dissemination of good practices on GER and GBV in health.
5. Prepare a core set of communication and dissemination materials to be used by the WHO Country Office in meetings and on specific UN Days on WHO’s role and technical assistance on GER and GBV, based on the agreement with the WHO communication team.
6. Support the WHO Country Office and national health authorities in integrating GBV prevention and response into essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health, mental health and psychosocial support, and primary health care, with specific attention to conflict-affected and displaced populations.
7. Develop a training course structure for capacity building of WHO staff and national health authorities on gender-responsive, equity-oriented, GBV-sensitive and rights-based health systems and policies.
8. Support the Public Health Officer, Officer on Primary Health Care and others to integrate GER and GBV components into educational curricula (public health, primary health care).
9. Prepare and coordinate missions for WHO staff and external consultants addressing GER, GBV and socioeconomic determinants of health, and follow up on their recommendations.
10. Prepare regular reports and updates to the Country Office and to the Regional Office summarizing progress, challenges and lessons learned related to GER and GBV integration.
11. Explore opportunities for fund raising and contribute to proposal development to ensure adequate resources are available to conduct the planned activities related to GER, GBV and public health.

12. Assist in executing other tasks as requested by the WHO Representative and the Public Health Officer, including in other GER- and GBV-related domains.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

      Education

Essential: First-level university degree in communication, social policy, healthcare, health policy, public management, economics, demography, public health, or related field.
Desirable: Master's degree in communication, social policy, healthcare, health policy, public management, economics, demography, public health, or related field.

      Experience

Essential: Minimum 2 years of experience in health and/or social sectors, including public sector experience, with proven ability to write reports, review policies, and ability to analyze policy documents
Desirable: Relevant work experience with(in) international institutions and organizations in the area of policy advice for GBV and GER and/or health systems strengthening / health care services delivery. Relevant experience with(in) WHO or the United Nations

     WHO Competencies

1. * Teamwork
2. *Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. *Communication
4. Producing Results
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

    Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated general knowledge of gender equality, gender-based violence prevention and response, human rights and health equity concepts and approaches. 
• Ability to work within significant uncertainties in a rapidly changing environment.
• Demonstrated coordination and collaboration skills working with diverse national and international stakeholders. 
• Strong communication skills, orally and written. 
• Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

    Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of any other UN language.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 47,491 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar 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.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

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• 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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.

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• 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 shws@who.int.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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