Liaison Officer (Pristina)

"All references to Kosovo should be understood to be in the context of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)."

The primary location of this position is Pristina

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME AND OF THE IMMEDIATE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

All Member States and health partners of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the General Programme of Work. The 14th General Programme of Work (GPW) defines the mission of WHO as one to promote health, to keep the world safe, and to protect the vulnerable. The GPW calls for heightened accountability, prioritizing impact and outcome at country/territory/area level, and to improve the lives of three billion people, through universal health coverage, through addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations. WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries, territories and areas; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries or equivalent authorities is carried out. The objective of WHO's presence in countries, territories and areas is to develop a two-way collaboration between the Secretariat and national or equivalent relevant stakeholders; of supporting their efforts of achieving national or equivalent health goals; of ensuring the attainment of universal health coverage and of contributing to global and regional public health action when and where required. WHO provides guidance and technical support in organizing the humanitarian health response and in revitalizing the capacity of the health sector to rebuild and recover from emergencies in appropriate and sustainable ways.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Through a close liaison between the Kosovo health authorities and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, facilitate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Organization's programme. The incumbent coordinate's WHO's work with health development and UN System partners, contributing to the achievement of health objectives and commitments.

Key duties:

1. As Liaison Officer between the health authorities and the WHO Regional Office, the incumbent assumes the coordination and oversight of WHO activities in Kosovothrough the relevant managerial processes and responsibilities, as well as administration of partnership activities.

2. Establish and sustain partnerships with relevant health stakeholders, and contribute to certifying the correct high technical quality, policy relevant and timely implementation of all activities carried out under the donor financed initiatives or in agreed partnerships.
Act as a neutral broker and facilitate multisectoral policy dialogue between health authorities, WHO Regional Office, the local donor community and other local partners, on health and development policies.

3. Support the implementation of WHO activities with a special focus on using the Second European Program of Work its approaches and flagship initiatives, as well as the GPW14. This includes providing support to health authorities and other sectors in activities which include developing, implementing and evaluating policies and strategies that help to improve health system performance, inter-sectorial action for health and wellbeing with the involvement of stakeholders and actors at central and local level.

4. Provide health leadership technical assistance and policy advice at central level on priority issues such as: strengthening health systems, public health functions, emergency preparedness, surveillance and response; implementation of strategies and interventions to address the health burden of communicable diseases, the environment and non-communicable diseases across the life-course as well as on the implementation of the SDGs with a specific focus on SDG 3 and its targets.

5. Provide support to authorities and counterparts in the application of WHO tools and guidelines for the improvement of health information and collation of information, data analysis, and preparation of regular and timely briefings, reports, or situation analysis.

6. Oversee the day-to-day running and operations of the WHO Office, ensuring that work is carried out within WHO rules, regulations and accepted standards.

7. Link with institutions, associations and nongovernmental agencies and scientific bodies, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches. Liaise with key stakeholders and partners and seek to expand partnership for health in all policies.

8. Contribute in mobilizing support and resources for health and advocate for health to be considered as an integral part of Kosovo development and aid cooperation.

9. Ensure visibility of and promote WHO's work by means of networking and partnerships with relevant health communications stakeholders (e.g. media, civil society, authorities and non-government communications experts from other agencies, etc.).

10. Assist in preparations of missions to the field and support consultants or on missions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, public health, social, political sciences, economics or relevant areas.

Desirable: Master's degree in one of the above fields.

Experience

Essential:

• At least five 5 years of demonstrated experience at national or equivalent level providing technical and managerial support and policy advice in any of the following areas: strengthening health systems, public health functions, emergency preparedness, surveillance and response; implementation of strategies and interventions to address the health burden of communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and the environment.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating activities with partners, stakeholders and donors in the areas public health, health systems or international development.

Desirable:

• Experience working with international organizations, WHO, or the UN in delivering policy advice and technical support to countries.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of WHO policies and programmes.
• Demonstrated ability in working with senior officials, stakeholders, health actors, civil society and other networks in the area of public health.
• Demonstrated advocacy skills.
• Analytical skills and demonstrated knowledge on health system analysis.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

• Communication

• Producing results

• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.
• Expert knowledge of local language

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian and / or

  German.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at EUR 45,328 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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 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 unrepresented and 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 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.

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