Technical Officer (Health Systems Strengthening), Temporary Appointment, NO-C, Damascus, Syria "WHO Policy for Fast Track Procedures for Emergencies will Apply"

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Syria is to improve the health of everyone in the country, reduce mortality and morbidity through increasing access to quality health care services by directing and coordinating its work through collaboration, cooperation and partnerships. In line with WHO's Fourteenth General Programme of Work 2025- 2028 (GPW14), the main focus of the programme will be on strengthening the health system in Syria supporting the building and strengthening of essential public health functions at the interface of health systems and health security with a view to achieving Universal Health Coverage.

JOB PROFILE SUMMARY

The purpose of a Health System Strengthening (HSS) position is to support the recovery, resilience, and sustainability of the national health system to promote progress towards Universal health Coverage. By promoting integrated, equitable, and evidence-based approaches, the incumbent will support authorities and partners to ensure that vulnerable populations receive good quality and affordable healthcare, while also building local capacity and fostering long-term development within Syria’s fragmented and overstretched health system. Within the health system recovery programme the incumbent will contribute to build capacity for policy analysis, development and implementation, strengthening planning and improve efficiency and equity in the mobilization, allocation, distribution and monitoring of existing resources.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will perform the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:

1.Collaborate with colleagues at WHO Country Office and other health partners to optimize support for building a strong health system including but not limited to governance, access to medicines and health products, health workforce, health financing, health management information systems and service delivery.

2.Manage the implementation of the current EU funded programme for health system recovery (BUSLA), meeting all donor requirements for implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation and supporting further development of this or other programmes in support of health system recovery including resource mobilization, programme planning and support for implementation

3.Provide support to MoH and partners in building the capacity for governance, health system leadership and management at all levels of the system

4.Generate evidence, knowledge and best practice models for implementing low-cost, high impact health interventions in the country that promotes advancing universal health coverage and policies for attaining Health for All with a Primary Health Care approach with a family health orientation as per existing policies

5.Provide support to Ministry of Health and relevant partners to implement the current Syria National Primary Health Care Strategy 2023-2027 and support the review, revision and implementation of further MoH plans.

6.Support MoH in policy and planning interventions in all areas of the health system according to contemporary global frameworks and standards with special emphasis in developing capacities in PHC and essential public health functions to move the country towards universal health coverage and the achievement of SDGs

7.Guide, advice and technically support conducting assessments and surveys for mapping of health resources including service availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality with a view to improving primary health care services

8.Develop plans for operationalizing humanitarian, development, and peace nexus (HDPN) in support of accelerating primary health care services in the country.

9.Collaborate with Ministry of Health and other partners to support the roll-out of essential package of health services and improve service delivery.

10.Establish linkage between the Ministry of Health and other regional and international public health institutes for exchange programme and other collaborative works in the field of health security and health system.

11.Contribute to further strengthening of the institutional and management capacity of the Centre for Strategic Studies and Health Training of the MoH for becoming a centre of excellence in the country for health policy research and analysis in support of health system recovery.

12.Organize and conduct capacity building activities in areas of essential public health functions and health system areas.

13.Develop project proposals for funding different projects of the MoH specially focusing on improving essential public health functions for health system strengthening.

14.Document lessons learned in strengthening the health system in Syria with identification of research needs.

RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Core Competencies

1.Teamwork

2.Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference

3.Communication

4.Knowing and managing yourself

5.Producing results

Functional Knowledge and Skills

1.Sound knowledge in health systems with particular familiarity with post conflict and fragile contexts

2.Sound knowledge on health systems reform, primary health care and Universal Health Coverage

3.Proven skills on health policy development, planning, monitoring, and evaluating health

4.Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological, technical advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners in health systems strengthening

5.Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize and communicate complex concepts and ideas verbally and in writing.

6.Ability to monitor and communicate progress in terms of process and results

7.ExcellentknowledgeofMicrosoftOfficeapplications.

8.Workingknowledgeofonlinedata collection applications, statistical analysis packages (Stata, SPSS, etc.)

Educational Qualifications

Essential:

University degree (Bachelor or higher) in a Health Discipline (i.e. Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Public Health, etc.)

Desirable:

Postgraduate studies in programme management.

Work Experience

Essential:

At least 5 years of experience at national level in the field of health systems and/or health policy development.

Desirable:

Prior work experience with WHO, other UN agency, health cluster partners; recognized humanitarian organizations or with an international nongovernmental organization with expertise in health systems in fragile situations.

Language Requirements

Essential:Expert knowledge of English and Arabic.

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 USD 28,828.00 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), 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 vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

·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.

·The Director-General retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

·WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

·WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

·Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

·An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce 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.

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

·For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

·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.

·The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

·Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

·This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

·In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates