CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Director of the Bureau of Human Resources Management, the Chief Medical Officer manages and supervises the activities of the Occupational Health Service. The incumbent acts as a leader and the primary medical authority for the Organization. Functions include the provision of emergency care, medical clearance, preventive medical consultations, and advice in the resolution of complex medico-human resource situations. The Chief Medical Officer supervises the activities of the Service, supports the overall mandate of developing and maintaining a workforce that is fit for purpose. The Chief Medical Officer provides advice to staff on their health care needs, prescribes resolution of common medical problems and acts as first-line and emergency care on UNESCO Headquarters premises.

Specifically, the incumbent will:

• Manage the overall administration of the Occupational Health Service (OHS) including the supervision of its personnel, monitoring OHS’ budget and ensuring the necessary staffing. In this context, the Chief Medical Officer will liaise regularly with Host Country Authorities as well as the UN Medical Directors’ Network, to ensure that policies and practices are in line with national laws and in conformity with overall UN standards.
• Maintain regular contact with the medical services of other United Nations agencies and participate in meetings of the Medical Directors of these agencies.
• Review cases and provide medical advice and opinions to decision-making bodies, including but not limited to the Pension Board, Medical Benefits Fund Board, and the Health & Safety Committee.
• Establish policies involving staff health and well-being, and provide guidance on questions of public health, work conditions, and workplace safety. The incumbent will lead awareness campaigns as preventative measures, to improve the overall health of staff and encourage safe working practices, staff welfare and well-being.
• Assure and provide first-line and emergency medical care for UNESCO personnel on the premises, to ensure their fitness for service. This includes: appointments/on-boarding, routine medical check-ups, management of certified sick leave and medical evacuations; advising on work-related illness/accidents; providing medical clearance.
• Liaise with and make all necessary arrangements with health professionals and hospital services in the host country. Organize and supervise the additional medical assistance required during sessions of the General Conference, the Executive Board and certain exceptional events.

Education

• Doctorate in Medical Science.
• Licensed and authorized to practice as a doctor in the host country.

Work Experience

• At least (15) fifteen years of experience as a general practitioner or emergency physician.

Skills/ Competencies

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, with tact, discretion and respect for diversity.
• Extensive knowledge of administrative and preventive medicine.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and oral) of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

Note: Please consult our career website (https://careers.unesco.org/) for other job opportunities.

About the Organization

“Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed.” (UNESCO Constitution)

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

Our vision

Political and economic arrangements of governments are not enough to secure the lasting and sincere support of the peoples. Peace must be founded upon dialogue and mutual understanding. Peace must be built upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity.

In this spirit, UNESCO develops educational tools to help people live as global citizens free of hate and intolerance. UNESCO works so that each child and citizen has access to quality education. By promoting cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures, UNESCO strengthens bonds among nations. UNESCO fosters scientific programmes and policies as platforms for development and cooperation. UNESCO stands up for freedom of expression, as a fundamental right and a key condition for democracy and development. Serving as a laboratory of ideas, UNESCO helps countries adopt international standards and manages programmes that foster the free flow of ideas and knowledge sharing.

UNESCO's founding vision was born in response to a world war that was marked by racist and anti-Semitic violence. Seventy years on and many liberation struggles later, UNESCO’s mandate is as relevant as ever. Cultural diversity is under attack and new forms of intolerance, rejection of scientific facts and threats to freedom of expression challenge peace and human rights. In response, UNESCO's duty remains to reaffirm the humanist missions of education, science and culture.