Director, Health Systems

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Division of Health Systems (DHS) is to support countries to attain universal coverage of health services for better and equitable health outcomes.

Health sector development acts as the foundation that both underpins and unifies public health efforts aimed at combating diseases and building healthy communities in an efficient and equitable manner, especially for high priority, excluded and under-served population groups. A strong health system foundation enables effectiveness of individual programmes and efficient use of shared system resources for all programmes. A strong health system also promotes appropriate integration of pro-poor, equity-enhancing, gender-responsive and human rights-based approaches.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Reports to the Regional Director and Director, Programme Management advising on policy and technical matters in the areas of health sector development including governance and financing health systems, service delivery, human resources for health development, essential medicines and technology, information, evidence and research. The incumbent will lead efforts in resources mobilization with the assistance of the Coordinators/Team Leaders and other relevant staff. He/she will encourage inter-programmatic collaborations as well as broker and coordinate partnerships, information sharing and exchange. He/She is expected to exercise a high degree of initiative and innovation in managing his/her programmes.

Responsibilities\:

1. Ensure that the Division's technical cooperation in all of its focus is consistent with the Regional Office's organizational goal and principles, and is contributing towards the Organization's corporate strategies;

2. Liaise effectively with HQ directors to stay abreast with global developments and ensure that regional perspectives are being presented and taken into account in global discussion in health sector development

3. Collaborate with other Division Directors on technical, administrative and financial matters of common interest, as well as serve as a member in the Regional Director's advisory committee (cabinet) and on cross-cutting task force and other committees in the Regional Office as assigned by the Regional Director;

4. Lead, direct and manage the division; coordinate and supervise the units within DHS through providing strategic direction and technical leadership, prescribing work processes and driving the execution of plans and programmes, and fostering greater cross-linkages and synergy between and within units;

5. Build and nurture a competent team by securing the best resources, allotting learning opportunities, providing ongoing coaching and feedback and setting up an enabling environment geared towards productivity and results; to set clear performance expectations, delegate effectively, and monitor and measure progress against objectives;

6. Participate in and guide the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Division's programmes through\:

(a) undertaking the assessment and evaluate the progress of plans/programmes in these areas;

(b) in consultation, coordination and close collaboration with Head of WHO Country Office/WHO Representatives and other stakeholders, supporting the development of national plans and implementation of programmes in accordance with Member States' mandates, World Health Assembly and Regional Committee for the Western Pacific resolutions and country cooperation strategy (CCS) whenever available;

(c) examining critically all plans of operations within the Division's fields of competence in cooperation with the Coordinators/Team Leaders and Head of WHO Country Office/WHO Representatives to make appropriate recommendations;

(d) conducting regular evaluations of the effectiveness of the technical cooperation within the Division's assigned fields in collaboration with the Coordinators/Team Leaders;

(e) ensuring that technical cooperation, implementation of new strategies and guidelines and other products within the fields assigned to the Division are coordinated with the proper national counterparts from the planning to the implementation phase;

7. Promote and build strategic alliances and partnerships across an extensive network of contacts including with donor partners and other key players in health; to collaborate with this network to set objectives and implement programmes, in order to leverage ideas, promote mutual values and mobilize resources and funds;

8. To oversee and provide overall direction in all advocacy and communication activities of the division\: to offer technical input as necessary; to present technical briefings to ensure accurate and consistent delivery of corporate messages and WHO advice by division staff members;

9. When so assigned and designated, act as Director, Programme Management or Officer-in-Charge as required;

10. Prepare technical reports, speeches and other documents as required primarily within the Division's field of competence;

11 Perform other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Experience

Essential\: Over fifteen years of experience, including international experience in health policies and health systems. Experience in leading a team, international collaboration, planning and programme management.

Desirable\: Experience in the field of health system research, in successful networking with key stakeholders in relevant fields including advocacy, communication and resource mobilization. Experience working in developing countries, particularly Asia and the Pacific is highly desirable.

Skills

-Sound knowledge on health policies and systems.

-Solid set of management, technical, communication, public relations, networking, administrative and financial resources mobilization skills in those areas relevant to the Division's work.

-Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Use of Language Skills

REMUNERATION

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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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.