Policy Adviser, Nursing and Midwifery

Purpose of the Post:

The purpose of this post is to advise and support European Member States with development and implementation of policies, strategies and frameworks in the area of nursing and midwifery. The incumbent will develop technical guidance on education and training, competencies, and standards in the area of health and long-term care. The incumbent will also engage with partners and stakeholders to advance the role of nursing and midwifery in contributing to the implementation of universal health coverage and the SDGs.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective:

The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development and implementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights and gender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health and social care services. To do so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access so as to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology.

The Workforce for Service Delivery in Health & long-term care (HWD) unit will provide strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to countries to improve access and quality for health and long-term care services delivered by a competent and sustainable workforce. It will engage with professional bodies and patients to support the design and transformation of services which are geared to improve: patient experience of care across the health and social sector; health of the population, health care efficiency and the experience and engagement of the health and care workforce. In order to deliver these objectives aligned with the European Programme of Work and GPW 13 the unit will focus on supporting countries through the development of policies, strategies, tools and capacities in the areas of health workforce, (including nursing and midwifery and the public health workforce) to improve working conditions, retain and motivate the existing workforce; and align the education, training and production of the future workforce with population health needs, promote integration in service delivery to better bridge the divide between health systems and social care across the whole continuum of care, as well as supporting Member States efforts to put people at the centre of services.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

The purpose of this post is to advise and support European Member States with development and implementation of policies, strategies and frameworks in the area of nursing and midwifery. The incumbent will develop technical guidance on education and training, competencies, and standards in the area of health and long-term care. The incumbent will also engage with partners and stakeholders to advance the role of nursing and midwifery in contributing to the implementation of universal health coverage and the SDGs.
The incumbent provides technical and managerial support to the Division’s health systems strengthening effort with a particular focus on strengthening nursing and midwifery towards the universal health coverage agenda and coordinating country level engagement and support. The incumbent will also support high-level strategic work on health systems investment and reforms for the European Region, including in relation to nursing and midwifery. Key tasks are:

1. Provide expert technical and operational guidance on strengthening nursing and midwifery to improve UHC from a services delivery and governance perspective;
2. Provide direct technical assistance and support to Member States by preparing and leading country missions designed to advance the strengthening of nursing and midwifery in line with the EPW objectives towards achieving UHC and using labour market framework approaches;
3. Manage, synthetize and build the evidence base for disseminating key Regional achievements and progresses on nursing and midwifery and UHC agenda to Member States as required, including through follow up to the 1st State of the World’s Nursing report, 3rd State of the World’s Midwifery report and through the National Health Workforce Accounts;
4. Promote and advocate for strengthening of nursing and midwifery with key stakeholders and decision-makers in the region;
5. Synergize and keep regular communication with WHO Headquarters on the technical areas of nursing and midwifery, and health workforce;
6. Promoting and developing collaborative activities with alliances, networks, professional and academic organizations aimed at disseminating and advancing the health systems-related UHC agenda, with particular reference to nursing and midwifery;
7. Providing technical and operational support for the high-level strategic work on health systems investment and reforms for the European Region in the light of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic;
8. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

Demonstrated broad nursing and midwifery knowledge, with emphasis on health systems strengthening and health services delivery.
Demonstrated knowledge of political systems, social and health systems in the WHO European countries.
Ability to work within significant uncertainties, as well as availability for frequent operational travel.
Ability to interact appropriately with high-level stakeholders, including ministers.
Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
Strong skills in data management and analysis for reporting.
Strong computer skills (word processing, Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentations.
Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment.

Competencies:

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing Results

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: A nursing or midwifery degree and university degree (Master’s level) in public health, health systems management, public administration or a related field.
Desirable: A Ph.D in nursing or midwifery or additional university degree (Master’s level) in one of the above fields.

Experience:

Essential: At least 7 years of professional experience in the area of nursing and midwifery policy and practice, and health systems management at government level, including at least 2 years at the international level. Experience in project / programme management and in health systems reforms, including service delivery reform, towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Desirable: Relevant work experience within WHO or the UN system. Relevant experience working in or with Russian-speaking countries. Experience in health systems technical support to countries, with particular reference to nursing and midwifery. Experience with WHO and/or UN system planning and reporting processes.

Languages:

Fluency in English required. Working knowledge of either French, Russian or German an asset.

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 73,516 (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 3786 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.