Adviser on Health Policy

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 Advisor on Health Policy will provide the head of the WHO country office and Ministry of Health with technical support and mobilize expertise for especially health financing, governance and service delivery, including primary care, health workforce and medicines, and will support WR in partner coordination, and refer to UHC Partnerships (including funding in initial stage) as well as 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).

To provide policy advice and guidance to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to strengthen its health system with the aim of moving towards universal health coverage, especially in the areas of transforming health financing arrangements and strengthening public health and primary health care services. Evidence informed technical advice should be integrated with stakeholders' views and preferences to improve the health of the Ukrainian population, reduce the financial burden associated with illness and ensure access to high quality health services. The incumbent manages, supervises and guides the health system team efforts in the WHO Country Office within and across the programs in order to attain greater effectiveness of country level work.

Objectives of the Programme and of the Division:

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 ingrained in the WHO 14th 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 the 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 endeavor. 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 Adviser on Health Policy 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:
o    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)
o    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
o    the alignment of other critical system functions such as human resource and accessible policies for medicines and technologies, as well as strengthened governance arrangements;
o    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)
o    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
o    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, non- governmental 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.
•    Given the context of the War /emergency in Ukraine and the fast-moving environment in which this job function is carried out, additional responsibilities may need to be given to this function.

Competencies:

1) Teamwork
2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3) Communication

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.

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:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Information and technology (IT) and other skills

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.

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 84,672 (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, and currently amounts to USD 3,055 per month for the duty station indicated above. 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. Staff members who apply to this requisition and who had been separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration.

• 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 to not 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.

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