Technical Officer, Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity

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. The global health agenda contained in WHO's Twelfth General Programme of Work (2014-2019) includes\: (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 WHO European Region (EURO) 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 Division of Policy and Governance for Health and Well-being (PCR) leads the implementation of the Health 2020 - the European policy framework supporting action across government and society for health and well-being. It supports national and sub-national health policy development in countries and provides strategic and technical leadership on governance for health and health equity, in particular on the social determinants of health, gender, human rights and vulnerabilities. The PCR Division is responsible for the coordination of the implementation of Goal 3 on health and health targets in other Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The coordination of the Healthy Cities as well as other Healthy Settings networks (Small Countries Initiative, Regions for Health Network) also falls under the responsibilities of the division. The Division leads and coordinates the work of the European Interagency Platform for Working Together for Better Health and Well-being for All, established in December 2016 in Paris. Other important programmatic and technical areas include Migration and health, Environment and health process, Living and Working Environment, Water and Climate, Environment and Health Impact Assessment. The PCR Division has staff located in Copenhagen, Venice and Bonn and staff in several country offices. The mission of the PCR Division is a) to lead and coordinate the implementation of the European Policy and Strategy for Health and Well-being - Health 2020 and the findings of the major studies that informed the development of Health 2020 (European Social Determinants and Health Divide Review; Governance for Health; Economics of Health Promotion, and Environment and Health ) and b) to provide strategic and technical leadership in a number of programmatic areas that also have a strong relevance (cross-cutting) to the work of all technical divisions. The PCR Division has lead coordination role to mainstream health equity through social and environmental determinants, gender and human rights approaches. Objective of the European Office for Investment for Health and Development (Venice Office)\:The main purpose of the work of the Venice Office is to support Member States and partners to implement multisectoral policies and approaches which address the pathways from social, economic and environmental conditions to better health for all in society, within the context of implementation the social determinants and equity goals of Health 2020 and the SDGs. This includes i) synthesising the best available evidence and approaches on how to better position health and equity in regional national and subnational investment decisions and development agendas and ii) strengthening partnerships, tools and capacity building which increase the use of whole-of-government, whole-of society and equity-based approaches in policy making. These two components are core to the mission of the Venice Office which was established on the basis of a Memorandum of Agreement between WHO/EURO, Italian Ministry of Health and the Veneto Region.The work of the Venice Office is an integral part of the PCR Division's technical deliverables and mandate and works in close coordination with other division staff in Copenhagen and Bonn offices. Objective of the Social Determinants and Health Equity ProgrammeThe WHO European Health Report 2015 indicates that average health is improving and the overall regional gap in life expectancy has reduced. However national analyses shows there are continued and avoidable differences in health within the population according to social and economic status, living conditions, gender and exposure to different forms of discrimination. The ongoing effects of the financial crisis and related public sector reform have had a major effect on important social determinants of health equity and the policy domains these fall under including income, housing & living conditions, employment and working conditions, welfare measures and participation in education and life-long learning. Programme objectives are delivered through (i) inter-country work with networks, sub regional collaborations and platforms concerned with health, social and economic development, (ii), direct country work with Ministries of health, health institutions and partnerships with sectors of government who have mandated responsibility for policies related to the social determinants of health (iii) inter-regional Office work with technical programmes and divisions to strengthen WHO's capacity, and (iv) strategic partnerships with European and global Institutions, the UN family and with the academic and scientific community.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of this post is to develop and facilitate technical activities in the field of Social determinants and health equity, with main emphasis on support to Member States' policies and approaches.In close coordination with the Programme Manager, the incumbent will contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of technical support to Member States with the aim of increasing policy action on social determinants and health equity including\:To contribute with technical advice and expertise to policy reviews to support Member States in strengthening multisectoral approaches to reduce socially determined health inequities;2. To adapt tools and guidance from the WHO European Review of Social Determinants and the Health Divide, including its companion thematic reports on socio-economic policies for health equity, for use in specific Member States across the WHO European Region;To contribute with specialist knowledge on social determinants of health and equity to the design and implementation of in-country policy dialogues, in close collaboration with scientific partners, WHO Regional Office technical units and Country Offices in order to support ministries of health in advocating for stronger cross sectoral actions for health equity;To contribute with specialist knowledge to the organisation and delivery of intercountry capacity building and knowledge exchange initiatives on social determinants of health and health equity. This includes the equity in Health in All policies Flagship Courses and the EURO Health 2020 intercountry collaboration among Nordic and Baltic States on Social Determinants and Health Equity; To participate in the monitoring and reporting of technical and policy support to countries delivered through Country Cooperation Strategies (CCS), Biennial Collaborative Agreements (BCAs) and intercountry workplans of the SDH/Equity programme;To provide specialist advice on social determinants and health equity policy issues to other divisions and the Organization as a whole in line with implementing the priorities in the Action Plan “Options for scaling up WHO Regional Office for Europe's efforts towards greater equity through social and environmental determinants, gender and human rights approaches”;To contribute with specialist technical input to the work of the PCR Division's programmes in the area of health equity and social determinants as necessary and in line with the priorities set out in the aforementioned Action Plan. To collaborate with other regional counterparts, governments, NGOs, academic and research institutions (WHO Collaborating Centres) and other international organizations;To follow the work on social determinants and health equity in UN agencies, the European Commission and other partners, staying abreast of developments in the field; 10. To liaise with WHO/HQ and with other organizations as needed and required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree in a scientific discipline relevant to the Equity and Social Determinants Programme e.g. social science, public health, political science.

Experience

Essential\: At least 5 years' experience in the area of social determinants of health, including policy development and capacity building activities. Experience in organizing multi-country learning exchanges including policy dialogues and related activities. Experience in developing tools and guidance, such as policy briefs, for multisectoral policy audiences. Experience of working with WHO and/ or relevant UN/ EU Institutions covering social determinants and health equity.
Desirable\: At least 2 years or more of relevant work experience with WHO, EU or UN System project management and field work activities in the area of cross sectoral policies for health equity and social determinants.

Skills

Excellent knowledge and understanding of the current evidence and policy approaches on the social determinants of health and health equity; Proven ability to translate evidence into understandable language, including presentations, written documents, and policy relevant Technical Assistance for non-specialists;Proven ability in approaches to capacity building suitable for policy makers, planners and practitioners in public health and across sectors responsible for social determinants;--> Knowledge of WHO policies and practices;Knowledge of MS Office package and the PowerPoint Presentation tool.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of 1 WHO or EURO lang.

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 58,583 (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 2065 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.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220./ul>