State Programme Officer (Tobacco Cessation)

Overview 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 aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving financial protection against health-related risks.

WHO Country Office for India is supporting the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to strengthen the existing health systems to cater to the growing needs of mental health and substance abuse, palliative care and elderly care in the country.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO 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 WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life people in India by supporting the government in prevention and control of mental health and substance use disorders, psychosocial issues during health emergencies, palliative care and elderly care in the country etc and strengthening health systems for UHC.

Description of Duties:

The purpose of this position is to provide technical support to State Tobacco Control Cell, Govt of Rajasthan for scaling up tobacco cessation and implementation of National Tobacco Control Programme) and related tasks. The incumbent shall be placed in the State Tobacco Control Cell, Directorate of Medical and Health Services, Jaipur, Govt. of Rajasthan and will work closely with State Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme, Govt of Rajasthan.

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of Team Leader (NCD & Comorbidities) and in close coordination with National Professional Officer (TFI) at WHO India. S/he will have the following responsibilities in her/his assigned area of work:

• To provide technical as well as programme management support for planning and implementation of National Program for Tobacco Control at state/district level.
• To provide technical as well as programme management support for scaling up tobacco cessation in the state specifically strengthening of Tobacco Cessation services, dentists engagement in TCC services, reporting, follow ups and developing District/institution wise fact sheets.
• To coordinate and facilitate Training of trainers, training on brief advice for various stakeholders including frontline health workers, AWW, ANMs, staff of other Health programmes.
• To provide technical and program management support for the convergence with the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) at the State, District and sub District level, specifically for strengthening the systems of identifying tobacco user TB cases, brief advise, follow ups and linkage with the Tobacco Cessation Centres (TCCs).
• To advocate and liaison with other health program for inclusion of brief advice in their ongoing trainings, , I.e. Rastriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), Rastriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram (RSSK), National Mental Health Program (NMHP).
• To support in creating evidence based success stories of the successful quitters of tobacco products.
• Assist in developing strong evidence-based tobacco control messages for tobacco control awareness generation, tobacco cessation and related areas.
• To support and monitor the tobacco control activities of the State/District Tobacco Control Cell
• To coordinate in effective implementation of components of the National Tobacco Control Program.
• Facilitate implementation of WHO-FCTC policies in the State.
• Conduct mid-term review and timely reporting to stakeholders;
• To support in conducting training programmes and exploring opportunities for bidi rollers for adopting alternative livelihood.
• Undertake regular visits to the districts to monitor the program; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor(s).

Education:

Essential: A university degree in public health, epidemiology, social science or any significant health-related degree from a recognized university.

Desirable: Post-graduate degree/diploma in Public Health, or Public Health Administration or Management; In-depth knowledge about diverse areas of tobacco control at national and sub-national level will be an asset.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions. The list

can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Experience:

Essential: At least one year of experience in tobacco control issues and/ or experience in implementation of large health programme.

Desirable: ( a ) At least One year of experience in tobacco control issues in Government or private sector in National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) implementation at State or District level.

(b) Experience in tobacco control issues and knowledge about international / national tobacco control policies and health programs will be an asset.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Knowing and managing yourself

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of local language will be an asset. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports

Remuneration:

Monthly remuneration is INR 157,449 taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he will be posted at New Delhi. The position may require extensive travel (can be upto 15 days in a month) to the states and districts.

The State Programme Officer (Tobacco Cessation) is a national of the country (India) where he/she is to serve, is recruited locally and is not subject to assignment to any official station outside the home country. Only Indian Nationals should apply.

Additional information:

• This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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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• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.