National Professional Officer Full-Time

Purpose of Position

Mozambique has a double burden of Communicable and Noncommunicable diseases.  The NPO/NCDs will use WHO guidelines and other relevant documents to coordinate WCO support to MoH national programmes interventions related to multisectoral response to NCDs, Mental and Neurologic Disorders (MNDs), and alcohol and substance use, while promoting human rights, gender and equity, and protecting public health from commercial interests. Provide technical support to the MoH and other sectors in promoting health through all WHO programmes, halting and reduce the NCD risk factors, promoting healthy lifestyle at household and community levels, and addressing the broad determinants of health that influence health and well-being.

Objectives of the Programme

• Strengthen institutional capacity to develop, implement, monitor and assess policies, strategies and multisectoral action plans for prevention and control of NCDs (mainly cardiovascular diseases, Cancer, Diabetes, and chronic lung diseases), and their risk factors, including Mental Health, violence, injury, and other conditions;
• Improve skills at national and district levels to implement evidence-based interventions for management of NCDs and their risk factors, including mental health, violence, and injury;
• Increase capacity for policy dialogue, coordination and partnership for multi-sectoral approach for prevention and control of NCDs and their risk factors, including Mental Health, violence, injury, and other conditions;
• Increase capacity for the surveillance of NCDs and their risk factors and conduct relevant surveys such as STEPS, GATS, GSHS, GYTS, etc.;
• Strengthen operational research quantitatively and qualitatively, documentation of experiences and best practices, and dissemination of results;
• Undertake advocacy for implementation of NCDs prevention and control interventions in health and related sectors, as well as working across sectors to address underlying factors impacting the population’s health e.g. applying Health in all policies, intersectoral action strategy, health literacy interventions, etc.;
• Strengthen partnerships between health and development partners, and other sectors to promote healthy settings and particularly healthy cities, healthy schools, healthy communities etc.;
• Promote partnerships and national networks for innovative actions for NCDs prevention and control embracing stakeholders and non-state actors to reduce/control NCDs risk factors.

Organizational Context

Under the overall leadership and direct supervision of the WHO Representative in Mozambique, the incumbent will oversee the implementation of the Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs2013-2030 including addressing risk factors and determinants, managing NCDs and Mental Health through the implementation of the WHO-PEN and other global NCD management initiatives.

The NCD/Injury Program is currently a high priority in the country’s agenda towards the improvement of the health of the population and, indirectly, to the decrease of extremely poverty. Based in the Country Office and under the WR’s supervision, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to the Governments Institutions in the strengthening of INJ/Violence, Non-Communicable Disease, Mental Health and Injury, in Mozambique.

Summary of Assigned Tasks

• a) Support national the Ministry of Health in conducting needs assessments and burden of disease and collating the evidence-base about the NCD burden in Mozambique.
• b) Disseminate Global and Regional commitments and best practices and, identify their application in Mozambique.
• c) Carry out activities to strengthen the capacity of local and central policymakers and relevant institutions in support of planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national policies and strategies for NCDs and Mental Health prevention and control, including Road Safety, Violence and Injuries, Mental health, Oral health, Eye and Ear health, Disability and Rehabilitation and palliative care and their risk factors in Mozambique.
• d) Support development and implementation of country specific and locally appropriate policies and action plans in line with the WHO NCD Global Action Plan 2013-2030, the Sustainable development Goals (SDGs) relating to NCDs as well as Regional Committee and WHA resolutions on NCDs and their risk factors.
• e) Enhance partnerships, networks, and alliances to engage multi-disciplinary and Multisectoral collaboration to address NCDs and their risk factors in the country in line with Regional and Global frameworks.
• f) Provide technical support in NCD surveillance, and in high quality analyses for monitoring and evaluating interventions to control NCDs and their risk factors.
• g) Establish network of technical partnerships within government, regulatory authorities, academic, private sector, non-government organizations, and international agencies.
• h) Provide directly and access technical support for the implementation of specific initiatives that are a priority for Mozambique  with a focus on health promotion and strengthening of the health system, including: comprehensive tobacco control policies and FCTC implementation; comprehensive policies on the control of harmful use of alcohol, fiscal policies for NCDs, Multisectoral NCD councils, policies for the promotion of exercise and diet for reducing obesity; and integrating NCDs into the primary care health system.
• i) Collaborate fully with other programmes and across technical teams within the WHO country office and facilitate communication and exchange of up-to- date information on technical activities between the government and WR office and liaise with WHO technical staff in the Multicounty Assignment Teams (MCATs), Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), and HQ; and keep WHO up to date on government policy initiatives.
• j) Collaborate with relevant government institutions, non-governmental organizations, donors, external support agencies, private sector, bilateral agencies, and other UN organizations in Mozambique on technical and coordination activities to integrate NCDs prevention and control into their programmes of work but also joint programmes of work.
• k) Provide technical and administrative support to the implementation of regular budget and extra-budgetary activities.
• l) Contribute to the preparation of reports, policy notes, project documents and submissions to government for use in discussions with government, UN health partners and other agencies and organizations.
• j) Perform all other related duties assigned by the WHO Representative.

WHO Competencies

• Communication in a credible and effective way.
• Fostering integration and Teamwork.
• Ensuring the effective use of resources and Producing results.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.
• Respecting individual and cultural differences.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent knowledge of policies, strategies and programme management, including planning, monitoring and evaluation, related to multisectoral response to NCDs, Mental and Neurologic Disorders (MNDs), and alcohol and substance use, while promoting human rights, gender and equity, and protecting public health from commercial interests; Good analytical skills.
• Technical expertise in Public health and multisectoral planning; research; performance monitoring, as applied to programmes and reporting.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and sub-national levels and within WHO.
• Excellent writing and oral skills, including ability to analyze complex data and to summarize and communicate these to a wide range of audiences and cultures.
• Experience in designing communication (IEC/BCC) and advocacy material for health programmes.
• Good interpersonal, coordination, facilitation and leadership skills with the ability to motivate and convey enthusiasm to co-workers and target audiences.

Education

Essential:

• Degree in medicine from a recognized university, with Master or post-graduation studies in Public Health Development Studies, Public Policy ; Internal medicine or one of the main NCDs related fields. Good knowledge of Health Promotion theory and practice.

Desirable:

• Practical experience in programme Planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Good Knowledge of public health issues; Ability to work in a multi-disclipinary team.

Experience

Essential:

• Some years of practical experience in Public Health, with limited years of experience in the area of prevention and.
• And/or care to victims of injury and violence at National and provincial level.

Desirable:

• Experience in working with multicultural or bilateral organizations in the country.

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Excellent knowledge of Portuguese.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of English or French.