Objective of the programme
WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans in the area of HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and viral hepatitis and aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving the financial protection against health-related risks.
The WHO-India programme of work supports the Government of India (GoI) in:
1. Enhancing universal access to HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and STI prevention, treatment and care services along with cost-effective integrated people-centered service delivery mechanisms including HIV/AIDS related comorbidities.
2.Supporting the adoption and nationwide rollout of the latest WHO prevention, diagnosis and treatment guidelines for HIV, viral hepatitis and STls aligned with the global and regional health sector strategies and plans for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STls.
3. Strengthening strategic information for evidence-based planning, implementation and assessment of results of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)and the viral hepatitis prevention and treatment programme with a focus on effective linkages of existing and envisaged information systems including triple elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV, syphilis and viral hepatitis.
4. Enunciating options for and supporting the integration of health-related HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and STI services with the general health services/ national health mission (rural & urban).
Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO:
The WHO's Thirteenth General Programme of Work (2019-2023) is structured around three interconnected strategic priorities to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages: achieving universal health coverage, addressing health emergencies and promoting healthier populations. WHO's mandate revolves around six (6) core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv)articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO-SEAR is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.9 billion people, with India's population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste) share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both the aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate. Mission of the WHO Country Office for India: Within the framework of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy, the mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.4 billion people in India by supporting the government in (i)developing and sustaining its own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii)anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health.
Description of Duties
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Head of WHO Country Office, India, and the direct supervision of the Team Leader, Communicable Diseases, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:
1. To provide technical advice and support to the Government of India in the area of HIV and STI linkage of services, treatment, care and support including pre-exposure and post-exposure antiretroviral prophylaxis, diagnosis and management of advanced HIV management and HIV related comorbidities including HIV-TB, viral hepatitis and neglected tropical diseases (NTD) comorbidities, HIV-noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, mental health etc. with special emphasis on scaling up national adoption of new guidelines and integrated people centered service delivery including triple elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV, syphilis and viral hepatitis.
2. To provide technical support for the development of the public health response in viral hepatitis B and C prevention, diagnosis, treatment, support and monitoring including the case based and patient monitoring systems towards elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
3. To support the development of implementation research in relevant areas of HIV, viral hepatitis and STI treatment and support as well as prevention and surveillance of HIV and viral hepatitis drug resistance.
4. To provide technical assistance to national programmes to strengthen overall coordination on optimization of integrated service delivery, to support implementation of the national plans for HIV/STI and viral hepatitis, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals vision of ending AIDS, STI and viral hepatitis among infants and children, adolescents, adults and pregnant women.
5. To develop, monitor, implement and evaluate country work plans in the area of HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and STI treatment, care and support through the support of national centers of excellence, WHO Collaborating Centers and experts in HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis treatment as well as WHO at the regional and headquarter levels.
6. To liaise and maintain good working relations with concerned technical units/departments of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP), other related national programmes and stakeholders with a view to facilitate the formulation and adoption of HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and STI relevant policies, strategies and guidelines and to facilitate the mobilization of resources.
7. To collaborate with national authorities, state authorities, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, community and affected people, and other stakeholders to plan for relevant activities and facilitate the resource mobilization (e.g., United States Agency for International Development [USAID], Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework [UBRAF] etc.) and implementation.
8. To follow-up, monitor, evaluate and report on the progress of work in the area of HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and STI treatment as required.
9.To undertake any other tasks/duties as assigned by supervisors.Requisition number: 2210969
Position title: NPO (HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STI Treatment, Care & Support)
Grade: NO-C
Contract duration: Two years
Contract type: Fixed- term appointment
Duty Station: India-New Delhi
Link to apply:
- WHO Careers Website: Careers at WHO
- Vacancies (staff member access): https://careers.who.int/careersection/in/jobsearch.ftl
- Vacancies (external candidate access): https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl