Vacancy Notice No. HQ/02/FCH/FT26 (Previously advertised under number: HQ/02/FCH/144)

Qualifications indicated in this vacancy are MINIMUM requirements.

Candidates who are less qualified will not be considered.

Title: Scientist

Time-limited post - two years

Grade: P.05

Official station (country): Geneva (Switzerland)

Organizational Location/Unit: Family and Community Health (FCH)

Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR)

Objectives of the Programme: The UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special

Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human

Reproduction (HRP), Department of Reproductive Health and Research

(RHR), is the main instrument within the United Nations system for

promoting, conducting, evaluating and coordinating interdisciplinary

research on reproductive health, for collaborating with countries in

enhancing national capacities to conduct such research, for promoting

the use of research results in policy-making and planning for

reproductive health care, and for the setting of standards and

guidelines, including ethical guidelines, in the field of reproductive

health research. The incumbent of the present post provides guidance to

the social science research carried out by RHR in general, and HRP in

particular, and scientific assistance in this area of research to the

Family and Community Health (FCH) Cluster as needed.

Description of duties: As a member of the Department's

interdisciplinary Team on Promoting Family Planning, the incumbent is

expected to strengthen technical assistance capability in social science

research in reproductive health and to participate in the development

and implementation of a priority research agenda in this field. The

incumbent will also have special responsibility of coordinating

adolescent sexual and reproductive health research. Specific duties

include: (1) assume responsibility for adolescent sexual and

reproductive health research, ensuring that activities are completed in

a timely and satisfactory manner; (2) responsibility, shared with other

professional staff of the Programme and the Department more generally,

for the elaboration of an appropriate global social science research

agenda in reproductive health including family planning; (3) sharing in

the formulation and scientific and managerial supervision of ongoing and

planned social science research of the Programme; (4) providing

scientific leadership and technical support to social science and

operations/health systems projects conducted in the context of research

strategies being pursued by other Teams of the Department; (5) providing

scientific and technical support with the evaluation and building-up of

capabilities in developing countries for conducting social science and

operations/health systems research; (6) promoting the use of research

results in policy-making and planning for reproductive health care; and

(7) coordinating and participating in the dissemination of information

about the Programme's work in social science research.

 

Qualifications Required:

Education and Skills: Ph.D. in a social science discipline and proven

track record in social science research, as evidenced by curriculum

vitae and publication record. Thorough knowledge of the main theories

and research methods in the social sciences, including operations/health

systems research methodologies. Excellent grasp of needs and

opportunities for social science and related research in reproductive

health. Ability to work effectively with and in an interdisciplinary

team. Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain good relationships

with people from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Sensitivity to gender issues. Familiarity with the various dimensions of

reproductive health. Knowledge of health economics, and prior management

of a research team would be additional assets.

Experience: (1) At national level at least five years of

independent, personal experience in social science and/or

operations/health systems research, preferably in reproductive health.

National research experience in a developing country setting would be an

asset. (2) At international level at least three years of experience in

managing and providing technical input in social science and/or

operations/health systems research in the area of reproductive health in

developing countries. Previous or current employment in an international

organization would be an asset.

Languages: Excellent knowledge of English as incumbent will be

required to publish articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, most

of which are in English. Ability to write clearly is essential. A

working knowledge of French. Knowledge of another official WHO language

would be an advantage.

Annual salary (net of tax): US$ 67,698 at single rate and US$

72,872 with primary dependants. Post Adjustment: 35.8% of the above

figures. This percentage is to be considered as indicative since

variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to

currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

 

FIXED TERM STAFF SHOULD USE THE FORM WHO.824

<http://intranet.who.int/homes/hrc/hq_vacancies/forms/who824e.pdf> .

OTHERS SHOULD USE THE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM

<http://intranet.who.int/homes/hrc/hq_vacancies/forms/phfen.pdf> AND

INCLUDE A PHOTOGRAPH.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO:

FCH/MSU

Email: fchvac@... <mailto:fchvac@...>

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION: 15 JANUARY 2003

This application is open to candidates of EITHER SEX. Applications from

WOMEN are encouraged.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff

Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for

interview and test.