OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Despite significant progress in the implementation of control and intervention programmes over the years, South Africa account for 20% of new HIV infection and 20% of people living with HIV globally making it the largest HIV programme in the world. The recent estimates from the Thembisa model indicates that about 7.8 million were living with HIV in South Africa in 2022 which is equivalent to 13.2% of the general population.The Country has asignificant HIV and TB co-infection. For many years, efforts to tackle HIV have been largely independent of each other, despite their overlapping epidemiology.The risk of progression from latent to active TB is increased by infection with HIV. Even though South Africa’s 95-95-95 target was at 95-77-92 in May 2023 progress has not been consistent across all provinces and districts with only six districts achieving the 95-95-95 target.Despite being vaccine-preventable, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains the seventh leading cause of mortality in the world. In South Africa (SA), over 1.9 million people are chronically infected with HBV. In addition, the high prevalence of HIV infection amplifies HBV replication, predisposes patients to chronicity,and complicates management of the infection. The South Africa’s hepatitisclinical guidelines and action plans were approved by the National Health Councilin 2018. The guidance includes the introduction of new direct acting antivirusfor HCV (Hepatitis C virus) and the adoption of Hepatitis B birth dose for newborns.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Support the Health Sector, including the Ministry of Health in strengthening national capacity and building partnerships for the control of HIV/AIDS, STIs and Hepatitis in the country;2. Act as a liaison in the WHO Country Office on care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, STIs and Hepatitis related work through coordination with Health Sector (NDOH) counterparts, donors and health partners in these areas; 3. Provide technical support in the development of HIV/AIDS national strategic and operational plans in addition to, coordination, supervision of interventions related to their implementation, monitoring and evaluation at both national and subnational level;4. Provide technical support to improve integrated health information system, especially increased demand, generation and use of quality data/information related to HIV. 5. Participate in resource mobilization and contribute to proposal development and implementation of, but not limited to, the Global Fund grants;6. Assist the Health Sector in ensuring the real-time monitoring of the epidemiological trends of HIV, in addition to the progress of the response; 7. Provide technical support to recommend programme initiatives and priorities, including operational/implementation research, based on analysis of technical and policy problems identified during the programme implementation;8. Liaise with the government counterparts to facilitate and support adaptation and implementation of the national HIV guidelines in line with the WHO normative guidance and international best practice;9. Ensure a mediating role of main actors involved in the health sector and advise the WHO Representative for policy dialogue aimed at addressing bottle necks limiting progress of the response related to HIV.10. Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisors

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Medical degree
Desirable: Post graduate trainingin public health, epidemiology or other relevant and related health field

Experience

Essential: At least five years’ working in public health on HIV, STIs and Hepatitis care andtreatment programme and public health interventions
Desirable: At least five years working with the Department ofhealth, a reputable public health institution or a UN agency

Skills

Demonstrated innovative, analytical and problem- solving skills; statistical, monitoring and evaluation skills; ability to lead policy level dialogue, advocacy and partnerships on HIV-AIDS and the risk factors.Broadknowledge and understanding of HIV continuum of care, including country HIV response, monitoring, and/or evaluation required.Good communication skills. Ability to harness partnerships and interact with health professionals at various levels. Demonstration of good writing skills and leadership qualitiesAbility to establish effective networks and working relationships with people of different nationalities and cultural background.Computer skills – Knowledge of word processing,spreadsheet and data analysis, browsing and information searching on the internet

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
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

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at ZAR 1,027,253 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• 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.

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The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

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• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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