Senior Health Adviser

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Health Systems and Innovation (HIS) cluster mission includes fostering innovation for better health and supporting Member States to promote Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by strengthening health systems and developing innovative approaches. Policy dialogue, informed by best evidence and systematic learning, and supported by capacity strengthening, aims to improve equity in health, access, coverage, quality and efficiency of health services. Within the cluster, the mission of the HGF department is to support Member States to develop and sustain health system governance and health financing systems that ensure more equitable access to needed health services while avoiding catastrophic expenditure and impoverishment as a result of seeking care. This will be achieved through support to countries to develop sound national health strategies and plans, including development of tools and information to feed into the policy process, and with appropriate capacity development activities to help achieve UHC. Within the department, the mission of the IHP unit is to promote greater coordination around health systems strengthening initiatives as a means to achieve UHC, under the umbrella of UHC2030. This includes promoting greater development partner alignment with national strategies and systems, in line with internationally agreed commitments to effective aid and development cooperation in health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Overall\: contribute to implementing the UHC2030 work programme, as part of the UHC2030 Core Team. As a senior member of the UHC2030 Core Team perform the following more specific tasks\:

1. Assist the Coordinator overseeing secretariat support to UHC2030.

2. Represent UHC2030 and WHO in inter-agency meetings on health systems strengthening for UHC, and effective development cooperation.

3. Provide expert policy and technical inputs on the UHC2030 work program priorities, in areas such as advocacy, accountability, knowledge sharing and communication.

4. Oversee the production of key UHC2030 reports related to accountability for progress towards UHC and undertake selected pieces of analytical work on health systems strengthening and effective development cooperation in health.

5. Lead preparation of technical sessions at major UHC2030 events and coordinate support to UHC2030 working groups. Stimulate discussion within UHC2030 on health SDG financing, tracking debates on development finance, policy reforms and institutional development in the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

6. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: An advanced level university degree (Masters level or above) in public health, health economics, or social, behavioral or managerial sciences.
Desirable\: Postgraduate training in management and administration, if not included in the above.

Experience

Essential\: At least 10 years progressive and relevant experience in health with an emphasis on health policy and systems development, including financing, planning and management at national and international levels, and health partnerships. Solid experience from working in developing countries. Broad experience in health financing and public management, including policy dialogue on health systems within developing countries.
Desirable\: Previous experience in working with WHO, or other international organisations, on health systems policy and health development cooperation issues.

Skills

1. Health systems expert with solid expertise in health financing and public management, including policy dialogue on health systems within developing countries.

2. Demonstrated understanding of barriers to changing ways of working within governments, and in development agencies, and of the links between resources and results.

3. Ability to provide sound methodological and technical advice and guidance to stakeholders and partners in countries, technical programs and other organizations in the subject area.

4. Demonstrated ability in the production of high-quality technical documents.

5. Ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize and communicate clearly and effectively complex concepts and ideas, verbally and in writing, taking into consideration a working environment which is multidisciplinary, multicultural and international.

6. Demonstrated ability to work in a team taking leadership roles, and constructively advancing the common agenda.

7. Ability to work effectively with a range of partners at global, regional, inter-country and country levels.

8. Demonstrated ability to learn on the job, enthusiasm for new challenges and new ways of working.

9. Excellent writing and negotiation skills.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 6022 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.