Unit Leader, Knowledge management, evidence and research for policy-making

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Equitable and sustainable access to health knowledge remains a vital need to formulate evidence-informed health policies. The Programme and unit of Knowledge Management, Evidence and Research for Policy-making (KER) supports Member States in strengthening capacity for engaging in health research, following globally-accepted ethics principles, access to scientific knowledge for generation and translation of evidence for the formulation of health policies and the dissemination of good policy and practice. KER focuses on the following activities in the area of knowledge management, health research and dissemination\: develop tools to generate, synthesis and use evidence, produce multilingual and multi-format information products, enable sustainable access to up-to-date scientific and technical knowledge for health policy development, maintain platforms for information sharing on health research, manage and support knowledge networks, generating and translating evidence into policies and practices.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent coordinates and leads the programme and unit of Knowledge Management, Evidence and Research for Policy-making (KER). He/she provides strategic foresight and coordinates the activities of the programme, including the following area/sub-units\: 1) Evidence-informed Policy-making Network; and 2) Health Research and Ethics coordination (HRE).(I) Coordinate, manage and lead the Knowledge Management, Evidence and Research for Policy-making (KER) unit and programme, including oversight of technical and administrative activities and effective use of both human and financial resourcesa. develop annually a strategic and operational plan and oversee programme budget implementation for the unit, including GSM work planning and reporting, establishing post descriptions, and selection according to the requirements of the unit;b. assume management responsibility for all Professional and General Service category staff, to ensure that management is both efficient and effective (PMDS and half year review). Execute good management style so that it can both achieve its objectives, and also provide a high level of work satisfaction, to every one of its members (conduct regular team meetings / retreats). Ensure corporate and administrative excellence through compliance with WHO rules and procedures;c. identify and engage in new partnerships with institutions to achieve the work while enlisting broader participation and consensus, including identification of and negotiation with potential donors, and proposals for fundraising for the unit; andd. respond to divisional director's request on various strategic and technical meetings and documents, incl. briefing notes for director and the Regional director. Represent the Organization at high-level (ministerial) conference and scientific meetings.(II) Coordinate, manage and lead two technical work areas/sub-units so that the staff working in those areas deliver the following public health goods\:1. Supervise the staff leading the work of the Evidence-informed Policy-making Networka. provide technical support to country offices to strengthen national capacity to identify, generate, translate and use evidence for policy, through platforms for knowledge translation through EVIPNet Europe;b. develop tools and methodologies to strengthen national capacity to identify, translate and use evidence for policy through platforms for knowledge translation; andc. support the implementation the European action plan and resolution to strengthen the use of evidence, information and research for policy-making through close interaction with Member States.2. Health research and ethics coordinationa. convene on behalf of the Director DIR and for the Regional director the WHO European Advisory Committee on Health Research to facilitate regional priority-setting for health research; b. participate in and support at global level the WHO research ethics review, guidelines development committees and the WHO research and development health observatory, as well as the WHO secretariat for the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development\: Financing and Coordination (CEWG); and act as the EURO focal point for these areas;c. develop and maintain research and information mechanisms to rapidly respond to key regional policy questions in the form of Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis reports and dissemination of policy options;d. coordinate the newly established multi-country European Health Research Network and support the implementation of its Sofia Declaration;e. support Member States in the development or strengthening as well as implementation of national health research strategies; andf. guide country offices in supporting Member States in developing capacity for governance of research and conducting research for health, addressing ethical issues related to implementation of public health programmes, and registration of clinical trials.(III) Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university degree (Master's level) in public health or related field and certified qualification in project management (e.g. PRINCE 2).
Desirable\: Additional academic qualifications in a public health-related field would be an asset.

Experience

Essential\: A minimum of 10 years' experience in public health programmes, systematic reviews and working with evidence-based policies and recommendations - of which at least 5 years' experience at international level. Experience in working with international projects or/and in a multi-cultural environment.
Desirable\: Experience of working in the European Region and in WHO.

Skills

Understanding of the major health issues in the Region and the relative importance of these to policy-makers.

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.
Desirable\: Expert knowledge of French,Russian,German or Danish.

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 85,543 (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 4612 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.