Purpose of the Post:
WHO country offices support national authorities to shape their health policy in line with WHO’s principles and values and advocate for an integrated approach to health development. The health policy advisor will provide the head of the WHO country office and ministry of health withtechnical support and mobilize expertise for policy advisory services for the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies, and plans (NHPSP) to strengthen the country’s health system, moving towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Objectives of the Programme and of the Division:
The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS)assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development and implementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights and gender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health and social care services. To do so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access so as to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology.
The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020–2025 –“United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens’ expectations about health.
WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable, and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.
Summary of Assigned Duties:
WHO country offices support national authorities to shape their health policy in line with WHO’s principles and values and advocate for an integrated approach to health development. The health policy advisor will provide the head of the WHO country office and ministry of health with technical support and mobilize expertise for policy advisory services for the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies, and plans (NHPSP) to strengthen the country’s health system, moving towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Key duties:
The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:
·Work in coordination with all technical focal points at regional and headquarters levels, under the guidance of the head of the WHO country office.
·Provide and mobilize technical advice to the government and national stakeholders on the design, implementation, and evaluation of national health policies for health system strengthening to move towards universal health coverage (UHC), by:
·Strengthening the capacity of national stakeholders to organize and lead an effective health policy dialogue and reform the implementation process (including by developing strategic intelligence on key health system reform issues, focusing on priority areas of health financing, public health, primary care, health workforce and governance)
·the development of an aligned, service-delivery vision to strengthen public health and primary care services so as to better prevent and control communicable and noncommunicable diseases; and the transformation of health financing arrangements for universal health coverage, including improving governance and accountability
·the alignment of other critical system functions such as human resource and accessible policies for medicines and technologies, as well as strengthened governance arrangements.
· the improvement and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for health systems strengthening, agreeable to all stakeholders, with communicable and noncommunicable diseases health targets, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
·the provision of models and approaches in evidence- informed, health policy implementation and health systems’ strengthening to facilitate learning and capacity building in policy making at national level
·the identification of synergies and networking between the WHO country office and other UN organizations, non-state actors, and international donors towards the implementation of health systems transformation at the country-level.
·Establish and strengthen links and partnerships with public and private institutions, nongovernmental agencies and scientific bodies, for the exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches.
·Demonstrate the impact of reforms on health outcomes and UHC through facilitating impact evaluations in the areas of health financing, public health, and primary care.
Competencies:
1) Teamwork
2)Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3) Communication
4) Producing Results
5) Ensuring effective use of resources
6) Creating an empowering and motivating environment
WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1
Functional Knowledge and Skills:
Technical knowledge and skills in policy formulation and implementation.
Technical knowledge and skills in planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.
Knowledge of primary- healthcare-based health systems, health systems transformation and reform.
Knowledge of health financing policy analysis for universal health coverage.
Technical expertise in planning, monitoring and evaluating health systems.
Excellent oral and written communication, including for reports, presentations and technical documents.
Ability to provide sound methodological and technical guidance in Health Policy to multiple stakeholders and partners in countries.
Ability to integrate, synthesize, and communicate health-policy concepts and ideas.
Technical knowledge and skills in planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.
Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management
systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System
such as Workday.
Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
Educational Qualifications:
Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s level) in public health, health systems/services administration, health management or health related field or formal, equivalent qualifications in International/global health policy or in similar fields.
Desirable: Post-graduate training or specialization in health systems and/or health planning, management, or health economics.
Experience:
Essential: A minimum of seven years of work experience relevant to the position (such as in health-sector policy, strategy development, and planning), with some of it obtained in an international work environment. Specific experience required in health financing. A minimum of four years of experience is required in a governmental institution or international organization serving either (i) resource-limited countries or (ii) middle-income countries.
Desirable: Experience in health sector assessments analyses, evaluation, and reporting. A track record in consensus building and enlisting cooperation by diverse national stakeholders. Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained at an international level.
Use of Language Skills:
Excellent knowledge of English . Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.
REMUNERATION :
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD77,326 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), and a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- This selection may be subject to special selection procedures.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
- In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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.
- According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
- Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
- The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
- The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion ) are strongly encouraged to apply.
-Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a work force that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
- WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates https://careers.who.int/careersection/in/jobdetail.ftl 3/3
- Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an internationalpost with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
- WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line. For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile on Stellis is updated; all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are not accessible.