Technical Officer, Digital Health

Purpose of the Post:

The purpose of the post is to assist the Regional Advisor for the Digital Health Flagship with the planning and coordination of the implementation of the Digital Health Flagship. S/he will support the Director with the planning and coordination of the Flagship activities including country coordination and support and resource mobilization.

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 digital health flagship (DHF) initiative provides technical and policy guidance and expertise on the safety and efficacy of digital health solutions; and preserving health equity, gender equality, equity and human rights as core values in their deployment. As set out in the EPW, through its work at Regional level the flagship will finalise the European Roadmap for Digitalization of Health Systems, develop a European health data governance framework through a European Health Data Governance Charter and review the use, gaps and efficacy of digital health solutions deployed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Through its work it will support countries to leverage the use of digital technologies for improving the interface between people and health services; for improving health system performance; and for strengthening critical public health functions including disease surveillance, early warning and risk assessment.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

The purpose of the post is to assist the Regional Adviser for the Digital Health Flagship with the planning and coordination of the implementation of the Digital Health Flagship. S/he will support the Director with the planning and coordination of the Flagship activities including country coordination and support and resource mobilization.

Key duties:

Under the guidance of the Regional Adviser, Digital health, the incumbent will assume the following core responsibilities and achieve the stated tasks:
1. Is responsible for the technical co-ordination of activities and projects to support the development of digital health infrastructure and inter-operable systems at country level.
2. Supports with development of technical and operational guidance on implementing specific digital services (e.g. ePrescription, eVaccination, Digital Mental Health)
3. Works to establish and maintain a regional country consultation network for digital health for the exchange of experiences and fostering of innovation
4. Develops material and activities to enhance digital health competency and confidence in identified target groups to ensure that an equity perspective is promoted in the scaling up of digital health interventions
5. Liaises with expert agencies and collaborating centres in Digital Health
6. Drafts documentation and reports on progress of digital health activities that contribute to the implementation of the mental health flagship in line with the EPW.
7. Performs other duties as assigned.

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

Enterprise architecture design and standards and interoperability in the area of digital health.
Strong knowledge of digital health applications in health systems and public health.
Ability to communicate and engage with experts and stakeholders from different fields, including policy-makers, researchers and the civil society.
Strong analytical, research and report writing skills.
Effective project management skills.
Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others do the same.
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: University degree (Bachelor’s level) information technology.
Desirable: University degree (Master’s level) in Digital health.

Experience:

Essential: At least 5 years of professional experience in the implementation of information technology within health systems at country level. Proven experience in project management.
Desirable: Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations. Experience in managing and supporting professional or civil society networks in the area of digital health.

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 59,151 (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 3135 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>

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