Project Officer (Economics) Vacancy-Job Ref: JKCGWHO/0902/202462

Project Officer (Economics) Vacancy-Job Ref: JKCGWHO/0902/202462
Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo)

JOB DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The overall objective of the Tobacco and Reduction of other Non-communicable Disease Risk Factors (TNR) Programme is to provide leadership and guidance in supporting Member States to tackle Tobacco and other Non-communicable Disease (NCD) risk factors with the goal of reducing the burden of NCDs and improving the health of the populations in the WHO African Region. It does this through the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of multi sectoral actions to prevent and reduce tobacco use, the harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

Specifically, the TNR Programme builds Member States/country capacity through guidance, facilitation and technical support in: the development of evidence-based policies, legislation, strategies and plans on NCD risk factors; the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of multi-sectoral policies, plans and programmes; and the strengthening of surveillance and monitoring systems to report on global, regional and country targets and trends, including the Global Strategy to Accelerate Tobacco Control, the Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Use of Alcohol, the Global Strategy for Diet and Physical Activity, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and related Sustainable Development Goals.

The Programme works in collaboration with (a) the RDI Unit, to promote research on tobacco, alcohol, diet and physical activity; (b) the EPG Unit, to foster partnerships, alliances and networks for increased resource mobilization and to exchange information and experiences between countries in the region and beyond; and (c) the NCD programme to implement innovative activities aimed at scaling up the prevention of NCD risk factors and reduce the burden of NCDs in the African region. The goal is to enable countries in the WHO African Region to ensure evidence-based policies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high-quality, integrated, health services, increase the coverage and quality of effective interventions, and to create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies and interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties: Build capacity in various areas of the economics of tobacco to government officials, academia, civil society and WHO country office staff in selected countries in the Region, in accordance with the deliverables of the Project; Provide technical assistance on tobacco economics to government officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health from selected countries in the Region, regional and sub-regional inter-governmental organizations including ECOWAS, UEMOA, EAC and CRES; Engage with Ministries of Finance, Senior Finance and Tax experts at country level to secure support and adoption of tax policy proposals and proposals for sustainable funding for tobacco control and non-communicable diseases; Provide technical expertise in the prevention of the illicit trade in tobacco products and in the process of engagement with Ministries of Finance;

Provide technical support to Ministries of Agriculture in the adoption of policies to assist tobacco farmers to shift to alternative livelihoods including other agricultural value chains Promote partnerships to strengthen South-to-South cooperation in the area of tobacco taxation including health and economic cost studies; Develop tools for monitoring of progress in the implementation of tax policies in the regions and for monitoring of illicit trade in tobacco products, providing regular progress reports on tobacco tax-related, technical issues and activities. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and back stopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Essential: First University Degree in Economics or Agricultural Economic Studies.
Desirable: Master’s in economics or Management or training in tobacco control. Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Economics.

EXPERIENCE
Essential: A minimum of 5 years of experience working in developing countries in the field of economics or agricultural production. Experience in working on tax policies in government or academia at a management level, or tobacco control, in econometrics and the area of tobacco economics.
Desirable: Relevant experience working with UN agencies, other international organizations, and/or technical networks such as non-governmental or humanitarian organizations in related fields in both developing and developed countries. Work experiences that are diverse, incorporating private sector (excluding the tobacco industry), NGOs, other UN, or governmental health related agencies will be an advantage.

SKILLS
–> Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to work effectively in a team;–> Ability to motivate, guide and develop capacities at national level; –> Ability to carry out advocacy and communicate tobacco control messages. –> Ability to engage with high level government bureaucrats and secure high-level commitments for tobacco control. Ability to interact and engage at high political and policy level at global, regional and national level

WHO COMPETENCIES
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS
Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French.

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