Medical Officer - Contraception and Fertility Care

About the role

The World Health Organization (WHO) is recruiting a Medical Officer (Grade P4) for its HRP Special Programme, hosted by the Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Ageing Health (LHR). The role provides scientific and technical leadership in contraception and fertility care, acting as a technical reference for WHO, HRP cosponsors, Member States and other stakeholders. It is a full-time, fixed-term appointment of two years based in Geneva.

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to setting research priorities and strategic directions in contraception and fertility care, and turn them into operational research plans and programmes of work.
• Design, lead and oversee research activities, including protocol development, site selection, agreement management, multicountry network coordination, data management, analysis, publication and evaluation.
• Strengthen the research capacity of collaborating institutions and networks.
• Synthesize evidence through systematic reviews and contribute to WHO norms, standards, clinical recommendations and implementation guidance.
• Provide scientific guidance to Member States and partners, and support the dissemination of WHO and HRP research and normative products.
• Prepare reports and technical inputs for governing and advisory bodies, donors and other stakeholders, and contribute to resource mobilization and partnership development.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree in medicine, with specialization in obstetrics and gynecology or reproductive health.
• At least 7 years of experience in research and research management in sexual and reproductive health, including at the international level.
• At least 5 years of direct experience coordinating research projects.
• Desirable: experience in a UN agency or international NGO in low- and middle-income countries.
• Expert knowledge of English; intermediate French desirable.

Required skills

• Expert knowledge of contraception and fertility care and its public health aspects.
• Strong research, analytical and scientific writing skills, with a track record of peer-reviewed publications in sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Strong skills in developing and disseminating authoritative scientific guidance.
• Fundraising knowledge and strong communication and diplomatic skills.

What we offer

• Annual base salary starting at USD 86,027, plus a post adjustment of USD 6,000 per month for the duty station.
• 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependents, home leave and an education grant for dependent children.
• Eligibility for geographical mobility and flexible work arrangements.