Technical Officer (Human Resources for Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Pacific Health Systems and Policy (PHS) team is to support Member States in the Pacific 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 underserved 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

Under the direct supervision of the Team Coordinator (PHS) and overall guidance of the HWO, the incumbent is expected to perform the following duties\:

1. Provide technical support to strengthen the capacity of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in the development and implementation of HRH policies, strategies and plans prioritising the key thematic shifts outlined in "For the Future\: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region" (RC70/INF/1);

2. Provide technical support to PICs to enable the alignment and implementation of HRH policies, strategies and efforts to strengthen primary health care delivery and deepen universal health coverage as one of the thematic shifts in "For the Future\: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region" (RC70/INF/1);

3. Support PICs to develop technical capacity to design and implement strategic reforms and approaches to strengthen the role of nurses and midwives in the delivery of primary health care, promotion of universal health coverage and tackling health security threats including antimicrobial resistance and climate change which are key thematic shifts prioritized in "For the Future\: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region" (RC70/INF/1);

4. Promote educational reforms, adoption of education best practices, and effective integration of continuous professional development of nurses and midwives across the health-care delivery system to enhance primary health-care services for better public health outcomes;

5. Provide technical support to strengthen the availability and use of health workforce data for health workforce planning, while taking into consideration the health labour market dynamics;

6. Support PICs in the identification of training needs and development of responsive training plans, and propose effective use of available education and training resources such as fellowships, online platforms and distance learning modes including Pacific Open Learning Health Net (POLHN) to meet the identified needs;

7. Work under the supervision of the team leader, in close cooperation with the Regional Office team, and in collaboration with national counterparts to undertake workforce-related needs assessment, and support the future-proofing of health-care workforce plans using forward planning approaches including backcasting and scenario planning as encouraged in "For the Future\: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region" (RC70/INF/1);

8. Coordinate expert technical input for the management and negotiation with partner institutions to assure the quality of all training programmes in accordance with agreed standards of excellence based on the training needs of the health-care workforce;

9. Build and maintain effective working relationships with government agencies, donors and development partners to coordinate appropriate programmatic and resource mobilization activities;

10. Provide technical support to strengthen the regulation of health professionals to ensure quality and safety of health services; and

11. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Master’s level university degree in medicine or nursing or health sciences-related fieldfrom a university recognized in the International Association of Universities’ Worldwide Database of Higher Education Institutions, Systems and Credentials (WHED).

Desirable\: Postgraduate qualification or training in public health and/or health planning and managementtraining.

Experience

Essential\: At least seven years' work experience in the development, management and implementation of healthworkforce areas at national and international levels.

Desirable\: Experience working in similar area in developing countries preferably in the Pacific and withinternational organizations including the UN system would be an advantage.

Skills

1) Knowledge of health workforce issues, challenges and requirements in limited resource environments including experience with policy and strategy development processes;

2) Skills in long-term planning, human resource analysis, planning, management including in

capacity-building, education and training, networking and quality assessment;

3) Demonstrable skills in championing innovation, strategic dialogue and effective stakeholder management to achieve a change agenda;

4) Track record in health and demographic data collection and analysis and monitoring and evaluation in the field of human resources for health;

5) Excellent communication and presentation skills with a demonstrated ability to produce technical reports, documents and guidelines in a clear and concise manner with guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners taking into account political and resource contexts; diplomacy, tact and courtesy;

6) Knowledge of health systems in developing countries such as in the Pacific including service delivery, quality improvement, and monitoring and evaluation;

7) Negotiation and representation skills which allow coming to a common understanding of complex and often controversial issues; and

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

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Producing results

Building and promoting partnership across the Organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Excellent level of written and spoken English.
Desirable\: Working knowledge of other UN language.

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 72,637 (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 2070 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.

• 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• 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.