The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.

Title: Technical Officer (Social scientist)

Grade: P4
Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment
Duration of contract: Post for five years
Start Date: 01 September 2019
Duty Station: Khartoum, Sudan
Organization unit: EMCO Countries (EM_ACO) / EM_SUD WHO Representative's Office,
Sudan (EM_SUD) Maternal and Child Health (MCH)/Division of Health Protection and
Promotion (DHP)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
The Sudan Free of Female Genital Mutilation Phase 2 (SFFGM2), a partnership between the
Government of Sudan, UN partners, DFID-UK and NGOs for FGM abandonment will build
on the phase 1 addressing four focus areas. This will include work directly with target
communities to support abandonment; support social movements to drive opposition at
scale; support the development of governmental and non-governmental systems and
processes to combat FGM; and build knowledge, evidence and best practice. Further,
SFFGM2 will also test and roll out initiatives relating to gender equality such as Child, Early
and Forced Marriage (CEFM) Family Planning (FP), and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

WHO played an important role in strengthening the health sector response in FGM
abandonment in the last phase working closely with a diverse set of health partners in the
four focus areas. The new phase emphasizes the need to scale up technical expertise in
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) capacity by increasing evidence of what works,
testing and piloting best practice in FGM and social norms programming.
WHO was very active in strengthening the MEL capacity in the last phase. WHO successfully
developed the SFFGC research agenda to guide the research work, supported the
establishment of a CEFM and FGM research advisory group within the national task force
for FGM and CEFM abandonment in Sudan, an M&E framework for the health sector
response and FGM surveillance within the health sector. WHO also actively contributed
technically in researches conducted by partners whilst conducting implementation
research, disseminating research and facilitating its uptake in programming and also
provided training and mentored research staff working in national research institutes (e.g.,
Public Health Institute) and health professional associations in different research activities.
WHO is keen to continue leading given its expertise in MEL and is seeking to hire a social
scientist for this five year new phase of the program to build on and scale up activities. The
social scientist is expected to work closely with WHO partners in the planning, conduct, and
monitoring of field programs with focus on the use of both quantitative and qualitative
methods. S/he will be expected to continue supporting the research advisory group set
national research agenda and build research capacity of national researchers through
formal trainings, mentoring during research implementation, dissemination and research
uptake back into programming.

Description of duties:
Purpose of the Post:
To provide technical guidance to the Ministry of Health and its partners in the
generation and ulitilzation of research data to inform and guide health system
interventions whether at strategic level or day to day activities in the areas of Female
Genital Mutilation (FGM), Child, Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) Family Planning (FP),
and Gender Based Violence (GBV). as well as capacity building in research, facilitating
research and M&E, data dissemination and uptake into programming.
Organizational Context:
Under the direct supervision of the WHO Representative, the overall guidance of Director,
Health Protection and Promotion and in collaboration with the Health Promotion and
Maternal and Child Health teams at regional level and FGM unit in Reproductive Health and
Research department at headquarters, the incumbent will serve as the technical focal point
for research at the country office. S/he will lead the WHO component of the SFFGM2
project and in particular for the research and normative work on FGM.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

The incumbent will perform the following duties:
1. Define the priorities and opportunities in research for health sector in Sudan, with
focus on FGM, and develop a research agenda and timeline for the identified
priorities.
2. Be responsible for the scientific aspects of developing (formulation of research
 questions, development , obtaining technical and ethical clearances and
implementation of research protocols,), implementation (research conduction
aligned with GCP principles) and data dissemination (communicating effectively
results of research and writing reports for donors and publications) and ensuring data
utilization to inform and improve on current or future interventions.
3. Manage and collaborate with relevant organizations and institutions on different
research projects.
4. Prepare technical progress reports with critical analysis of M&E data on the project
for both WHO and donors/partners, as needed.
5. Provide technical guidance to the Member States, UN agencies, other inter-
governmental and non-governmental agencies on matters relating to FGM related
issues especially in relation to research and evidence-based interventions, working in
close collaboration with Reproductive Health and Research (RHR)/HQ and
MCH/EMRO Teams and other related WHO Headquarters and Regional Departments.
6. Contribute to the development of standards, guidelines and tools based on research
results, as relevant.
 7. Provide expertise in capacity building, at country levels, on research through training
courses, mentoring, country meetings, workshops and field visits
8. Undertake fundraising activities for increased financial support for WHO's work in
social science research.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Essential: University degree in social science, psychology or medicine and Master's Degree
in Public Health, Epidemiology, social science or a related field with strong research
experience.
Desirable: PhD in public health, epidemiology, social science or related field
Skills:
WHO Competencies Model in
http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

1. Producing results;
2. Fostering integration and teamwork;
3. Communicating in a credible and effective way;
4. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

- Ability to develop research protocols, their implementation, and communication.
- Demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and manage social science research with
special focus on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Child, Early and Forced Marriage
(CEFM) Family Planning (FP), and Gender Based Violence (GBV)
- Well-versed in human epidemiologic and/or sociologic survey methods, including
observational study design, analysis, and interpretation, with strong quantitative and
qualitative analytical skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills with ability and sensitivity to
collaborate with developing country researchers, policy-makers and programme
managers.
- Excellent managerial skills and proven ability to interact with external partners.

Other Skills:
Proficiency in MS Office.
Experience:
Essential: At least 7 years of combined relevant experience at the national and
international levels in conducting research in sexual and reproductive health,
including 4 years in countries where FGM is prevalent.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.
 Additional Information:
Applicants are kindly requested to pay attention to the screening questions as they
will be used to screen out unqualified candidates. Only qualified applicants with the
relevant experience will be considered.
A written test/presentation and interviews will be used as a form of screening. The
written test might be used as an eliminatory tool. Other similar positions at the same
level may be filled from this vacancy notice (this could be the base for rosters).
Interviews will include competency-based questions.

Annual salary:

(Net of tax)
USD 67611.00 at single rate
USD 72605.00 with primary dependants
Post Adjustment:

48.6 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations
may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate
fluctuations or inflation.

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a
permanent database. Please visit WHO's e- Recruitment website at:
www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application
procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been
posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules
and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.