Technical Officer (Disability)

About the job

Job Description - Technical Officer (Disability) (2603277)

Technical Officer (Disability) - (2603277)

Grade: P4

Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 2 years

: Sep 28, 2026, 4:34:31 PM

: Oct 19, 2026, 9:59:00 PM

: Switzerland-Geneva

: HQ/NMH Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health PPC

: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The vision of the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care (PPC) is to advance health for all by anticipating change and integrating promotion, prevention and care across all health and disease areas to address today's greatest health burdens and tomorrow's challenges. Within the PPC division, the department of Noncommunicable diseases & Mental Health (NMH) aims to promote health & well-being, prevent ill health and enhance care for people at risk of and living with NCD&MH conditions through global leadership, technical expertise along the continuum of care, access to evidence & health services, synthesis & translation, policy optimization, monitoring, advocacy, and multisectoral engagement including people with lived experience. The objectives of the CAI Unit are to increase the impact of cross-cutting activities in the areas of governance, surveillance, partnerships, rehabilitation and disability conducted at the national, regional and global levels in order to implement the commitments included in NCD- and Mental health-related resolutions adopted at the UN General Assembly, taking into account the guidance provided by the World Health Assembly and WHO.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Provide technical expertise in the area of disability ensuring that the activities are carried out efficiently and effectively, support dissemination and implementation of the WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative at global, regional and country level.

Support implementation of evidence-based technical materials on disability, including integration within relevant WHO programmes.

Liaise with Regional and Country Offices, and external partners on disability-related activities.

Support the planning and implementation of WHO activities on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based technical tools to support Member States to develop disability inclusive health systems.

Support the development of training materials for capacity building in disability inclusion according to the needs of Member States.

Conduct and contribute to research activities and compile and evaluate a variety of data and information related to disability inclusive health systems.

Support the Unit Head in the development and monitoring of work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the implementation of WHO's work on disability.

Serve as a technical focal point for disability inclusion; respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.

Exchange information with counterparts in technical departments at HQ, Regional and Country Offices, and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) on implementation of policies and strategies related to disability activities.

Contribute to collaboration plans with partners, review periodically those plans.

Prepare and deliver oral presentations; compile, prepare and distribute related informational materials.

Monitor the technical content and materials appropriate for the WHO website.

Participate in meetings on behalf of the programme area as assigned.

Perform all other duties as may be assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree (Master's level or above) in health sciences, public health or related field.

Desirable: PhD in public health or related field.

Experience

Essential:

At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in technical programme implementation and policy support in the field of disability inclusion.

Within this experience demonstrated professional experience working at the country and/or regional level providing technical support to government partners as well as supporting the implementation of strategies and programmes for disability inclusion.

Demonstrated international exposure.

Desirable: Experience within the UN system and provision of guidance related to health system development an advantage.

Skills

In-depth knowledge and expertise of country situations with regard to disability with a good understanding of relevant country's needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO's policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas.

Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations.

Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned programme and activities. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

Excellent knowledge of Health and safety regulations and of the technical aspects of disability.

Excellent Public speaking skills.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Producing results

Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 86,027 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 6072 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.

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.

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 E-Mail schreiben with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

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.

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 E-Mail schreiben.

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