Scientist (Chemical Safety and Health - Geneve, Schweiz - World Health Organization

World Health Organization

Geprüftes Unternehmen

Geneve, Schweiz

vor 1 Woche

Geschrieben von:

Lena Schneider

beBee Recruiter

Beschreibung

Grade:
P4

Contractual Arrangement:
Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 1 year

Job Posting:
Mar 14, 2024, 5:25:05 AM

Closing Date:
Apr 4, 2024, 4:59:00 PM

Primary Location:
Switzerland-Geneva

Organization:
HQ/ECH Environment, Climate Change and Health

Schedule:
Full-time

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME:

The mission of WHO's UHC/Healthier Populations Division is to contribute to reducing health inequalities and reducing preventable disease and injury caused by environmental, social and economic determinants of health.

This is achieved through a coordinated inter-sectoral approach aimed at enabling all people to enjoy better health and well-being, in line with the Organization's 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13) and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The role of the Department for Environment, Climate Change and Health (ECH) within the overall work of WHO, is to promote a healthier environment, intensify primary prevention and to influence public policies in all sectors to address the root causes of environmental threats to health.

ECH develops and promotes preventive policies and interventions based on an understanding and an in-depth scientific analysis of the evidence base for environmental determinants of human health.

The Chemical Safety and Health (CHE) Unit works to establish the scientific basis for the sound management of chemicals, and to strengthen national capabilities and capacities for chemical safety.

In this context, the unit establishes norms, guidelines and guidance on chemicals of concern, harmonized risk assessment methodologies and other chemical safety issues.

Support to Member States is provided on poisons prevention, information and management as well as on chemical incidents and emergencies.

The unit promotes health in international conventions and agreements, leads implementation of the WHO Chemicals Road Map adopted in WHA70(23) and WHA67.11 on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, and provides the Secretariat for the Inter-organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Improve capacities in countries to prevent and manage chemical exposures of concern, such as lead exposure, through the development and implementation of WHO guidelines.
Develop fact sheets, talking points, guidance and other materials on the preparedness and response to chemical incidents and the management of exposures to chemicals of public health concern.
Provide technical support to the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, as requested, including assistance in sourcing antidotes for the management of chemical releases and in accessing clinical toxicology expertise to guide response measures.
Improve capacities in countries for the detection, response and management of chemical exposures and poisonings by implementing WHO guidance on the establishment of poison centres, the provision of training, and development and maintenance of a global poison centre network.
Provide WHO input to the leadership, policy and technical work of joint initiatives with other UN agencies, professional organizations and WHO collaborating organizations.
Advocate and collaborate with other technical units in WHO including mental health, maternal and child health, emergencies and essential medicines and with appropriate external organizations in promoting policies and developing capacities in countries for the prevention and management of chemical exposures and poisonings.
Respond to inquiries from the media, national or other institutions, concerning the health impacts of chemicals of public health concern and provide detailed and technical information, as required.
Represent WHO at external meetings, including intergovernmental meetings and scientific meetings.
Other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Essential:

Advanced level university degree in medical or biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, clinical toxicology, emergency medicine or epidemiology.

Desirable:

Advanced level university degree in public health.

Experience:

Essential:

At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience working on the prevention of the human health impacts of chemicals; of which at least five years, at an international level.
Demonstrated professional experience working at the country and/or regional level providing technical support to government partners as well as developing strategies and programmes for the prevention and treatment of the human health impacts of chemical exposures.
Experience in promoting and facilitating the development of policies for the prevention and management of chemical exposures as well as experience in managing resources and projects.
Experience of working in a poison centre and/or of providing clinical toxicology advice, information and support.
Demonstrated experience in analysing, interpreting and co