Mental Health Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To ensure that effective WHO country presence is established to implement WHO country cooperation strategies that are aligned with Member State's health priorities, sustainable development agendas and harmonized with the United Nations country teams and partners to improve health outcomes and progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Description Of Duties

• Contribute to the assessment of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs, resources and capacities within the country.
• Assist in development of mental health service organization plans, with initial focus providing mental health and psychosocial programming in the country.
• Promote a system based approach to integrate MHPSS in health and related social sectors, in coordination with relevant agencies and entities.
• Provide technical input to partner civil society organizations and other entities, on MHPSS activities.
• Participate in the development of community-based mental health services.
• Monitor the integration of mental health in the primary health care service of the country.
• Prepare briefing notes, meeting reports, information products and content on mental health topics.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.
  
  

• First level university degree in psychology (with emphasis in Mental Health), Psychology or Public Health (with an emphasis in Mental Health).
  
  

• Advanced university degree (Master's level or above), Public Health, Psychology, Social Work or related field.
• Specialized training or certification in (a) public health (b) and/or (c) MHPSS in emergency and humanitarian crises.
  
  

• More than two years of relevant experience providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS).
  
  

• Experience working in the area of humanitarian and/or emergency response.
• Experience in WHO, other UN agencies, relevant nongovernmental, health cluster partners or recognized humanitarian organizations.
  
  

• Technical skills and knowledge in providing mental health and psychosocial support.
• Good skills in providing support in mental, neurological, substance use disorders and other mental health related areas.
• Good knowledge of country level situations with regard to Mental Health and Non-Communicable Diseases with good understanding of relevant country's needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO's policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
  
  

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Setting an example
  
  

• Expert knowledge of English.
• Expert knowledge of Arabic.
  
  

• Working knowledge of another UN official language.
  
  

• 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.
• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• 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 [email protected] 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.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• 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 [email protected].
• 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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