Programme Manager, Health Systems Governance

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.As set in the Twelfth General Programme of Work (2014-2019), WHO directs and coordinates international health by\:(i) Providing leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed;(ii) Shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge;(iii) Setting norms and standards, and promoting and monitoring their implementation; (iv) Articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options;(v) Providing technical support, catalysing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity;(vi) Monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.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; 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 is carried out.The objective of the Division of Health Systems and Public Health is to develop in EURO the strategic capacity to assist Member States to design, establish and promote comprehensive health and health systems policies; to enable countries to benefit from international experience in reforming their health systems and public health services stressing quality, accessibility and efficient use of resources; and to assist the countries to manage emergency situations ensuring that international aid, when necessary, is used in line with the country's health policy framework. The Division contributes to the development of the European Health Policy andNational Health Policies, Plans and Strategies, and theknowledge base in the broad thematic areas of health systems governance, financing, organization, service delivery and resource generation, in collaboration with other relevant international, regional, national and non-governmental partners.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Director of Health System and Public Health, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities and achieve the following objectives\:A. Core responsibilities in assisting Member States in relation to Health System Governance as part of country efforts to strengthen health systems include\: (i) dialogue with and advice to policy makers on national plans and policies to ensure that policies do not perpetuate social injustices and inequities, nor increase inequalities in access to health services and in health outcomes; and that redefined responsibilities in health systems are shared in a coordinated and pluralistic manner across all stakeholders with clear lines of accountability and transparency; (ii) develop and implement innovative approaches, adapted to regional/country needs, in the technical areas;(iii) technical assistance with the development of mechanisms, instruments and tools (such as national health strategies and policies, monitoring and evaluation, performance assessment and performance management and approaches to enhance effectiveness of stakeholder involvement) as well as the estimation of the required resources (human, financial, infrastructure and technological) and knowledge (i.e. through research, evaluation, performance measurement and knowledge management) to build understanding and capacity for improving and assessing health system governance and health system governance policies and services (i.e. leading policy development and coordination, transforming information into intelligence and applying this to the development and assessment of health policies and strategies; mobilizing its legal and regulatory powers to attain health system goals; recommending that the health system is designed to adapt to changing needs; and exerting influence across other sectors than health and advocating for better health); and (iv) advocacy, knowledge transmission and advice for the enhancement of the capacities and skills of health ministries in carrying out their health system governance functions.B. Core responsibilities in providing intellectual and technical leadership and guidance in directing the development of health system governance policies and activities include\:(i) acting as the WHO EURO content expert and focal point for health system governance;(ii) ensuring technical quality and competence in the health system governance programme and to be responsible for the overall timeliness and quality of all programme deliverables of both country and intercountry workplans;(iii) developing regional plans to implement global and regional strategies in health system governance and harnessing European and other experience and knowledge (e.g. including influencing other sectors to incorporate health concerns in their policies and enhance effectiveness of donor and other stakeholder involvement), documenting gaps therein for the definition of the research agenda on the subject matter;(iv) ensuring consistency and cohesiveness with the WHO guidelines, approaches, and messages, contributing to the WHO normative function;(v) coordinating international activities with relevant organizations and partners in health system governance;(vi) managing and synthesizing related knowledge to build the evidence base for dissemination to Member States as required;(vii) producing authoritative and relevant policy papers and briefs on the subject matter; and (viii) documenting and rendering explicit the pros and cons of various policy options applicable to health system governance in terms of their implications and their impact on the level and distribution of health, responsiveness, and financial protection based on country experiences.. Core responsibilities as a Programme Manager\:(i) to provide leadership and managerial oversight to the work of all programme/project staff;(ii) to mobilize resources to efficiently deliver services/products within country and intercountry workplans;(iii) to be responsible for the allocation of resources within country and intercountry workplans in coordination with the Strategic Objective Facilitator (ensure availability of funds and monitoring of dates and budget constraints);(iv) to perform the general management of the programme's professional and general service staff, as first level supervisor (to include monitoring of workload, funds availability, performance management, and to establish mechanisms which ensure proper coordination within the team regarding travel, holidays), including, in liaison with the Head of Country Offices, technical programme staff based outside Copenhagen;(v) to regularly monitor and assess the performance of the technical programme through evaluation and reporting.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced University (Master`s) degree in health policy, health systems, health economics, health administration or public health management.
Desirable\: Doctorate in health economics, health policy or health system management.

Experience

Essential\: 10 years hands on working experience in health systems strengthening and policy analysis at national and international levels, attaining senior managerial rank, including three to five years of practical experience in implementing or advising on key domains of health system strengthening, including on National Health Plans and health system stewardship at national and international level, in a close collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Experience of advising on health system governance in lower and middle income countries.
Desirable\: Experience working with or in multi and bilateral development agencies active in the health sector.

Skills

Proven skills in strengthening the governance function of health ministries and in the development and assessment of national health policies and strategies. In depth knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries in the European Region. Ability and willingness to work in a team with other health professionals and motivate people of different nationalities and cultures. Knowledge of the WHO and UN system would be an asset.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Promoting the Organization's position in health leadership
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.

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 84,721 (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 4342 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.

• A written test 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

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

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.