Regional Adviser, Mental Health

Purpose of the Post:

To advise and support European Member States on the development and implementation of national health policies in the area of mental health to improve health outcomes in the region through an integrated approach, advocating the implementation of Universal Health Coverage, protecting people in health emergencies and promoting health and well-being. To cultivate and strengthen strategic partnerships with relevant external partners and organizations particularly through the mental health coalition. The incumbent leads and coordinates the Mental Health Flagship unit and facilitates timely implementation of all activities including budget and human resources oversight.

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 Mental Health flagship initiative will work with units and divisions across the Regional Office to address mental health conditions which are a leading cause of suffering and disability in the European Region. Priority areas to be addressed at regional level include the mental health fall-out of the COVID-19 crisis, a surge of diseases of despair, the persistent prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders among young people, the growth of self-harm and suicide, and the unmet needs of people with dementia or autism spectrum disorder, the mental and psycho-social support needs of health workers, the need for supporting the resilience of communities affected by conflict. The Mental Health coalition which will be developed and anchored through this flagship initiative will raise awareness to combat stigma and discrimination, advocate for investment in mental health and promote mental health research. At country level the emphasis will be on support for services transformation. This will require working with and through clinicians involved in the delivery of mental health services as well as partnering with service user organizations. Key areas of activity will include support for prevention of mental illness.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

The incumbent will lead the mental health flagship initiative as set out in the European Programme of Work. S/he will advise and support European Member States on the development and implementation of national health policies in the area of mental health to improve health outcomes in the region through an integrated approach, advocating the implementation of Universal Health Coverage, protecting people in health emergencies and promoting health and well-being. S/he will cultivate and strengthen strategic partnerships with relevant external partners and organizations particularly through the development of the mental health coalition. The incumbent leads and coordinates the mental health flagship team and facilitates timely implementation of all activities including budget and human resources oversight.

Key duties:

1. Serve as the WHO EURO technical content expert and focal point in the area of mental health; provide visible leadership for the mental health flagship initiative and ensure technical quality and timeliness for all flagship deliverables of both country and inter country work plans.
2. Contribute to the overall CPS Divisional objectives and wider Regional Office objectives as set out in the European Programme of Work including supporting work on the other three flagship priorities digital health, immunization and behavioural and cultural insights.
3. Spearheading country level innovative initiatives for transformation in mental health services to improve quality mental health services which are accessible for all in need by working at national, sub-regional and regional levels with medical specialists and other clinical members of the multi-disciplinary team involved in the delivery of mental health services.
4. Supporting training and development of the mental health workforce as well as partnering with service user organizations by facilitating the exchange of experiences and mobilizing national champions, advocates and service innovators
5. Lead the advocacy for investment in mental health across the life course.
6. Lead the development of strategic, technical, scientific and operational guidance;
7. Synthesize and disseminate related knowledge to build the evidence base for dissemination to Member States as required including producing authoritative and relevant policy papers, briefs and other publications on mental health.
8. Lead the mental health coalition as a way to establish, cultivate and strengthen strategic broad partnerships, and coordinate international and regional, and sub-regional activities with relevant organizations and partners. Build and maintain strong partnerships with EC and EU institutions, UN institutions and civil society partners.
9. In collaboration with the Resource Mobilization and Alliances Unit (RMA), lead the technical development of regional, sub-regional and country-based projects for donor funding opportunities and partnership.
10. To coordinate the organization of conferences, events and policy dialogues at national, sub-regional and regional levels on related topics.
11. To provide leadership and general management for the unit’s professional and general service staff, as first level supervisor (to include monitoring of workload, funds availability, performance management, and to establish mechanisms which ensure proper coordination within the team regarding travel, holidays), including, in liaison with the Head of Country Offices, any technical unit staff based outside Copenhagen. Manage financial and human resources in line with WHO policies and procedures, including funds allocation between country and inter-country workplans.
12. To be responsible for effective and efficient implementation of projects and workplans and regularly monitor and assess the performance of workplans through evaluation and reporting.
13. Perform other duties as assigned.

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

1. Excellent analytical, organizational, communication and negotiation skills.
2. Diplomatic and technical skills in negotiating with Ministries of Health and other ministries.
3. In-depth knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries of the European Region.
4. In depth technical knowledge on mental health epidemiology and clinical service provision including the drafting of clinical guidelines
5. Excellent technical knowledge across the broad area of mental health policy and health systems.
6. Proven skills in leading scientific working groups, consensus building and development of policy guidelines.
7. Knowledge of the WHO and UN structure and functions.
8. Emotional awareness; the ability to identify and harness one’s emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.
9. Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment.

Competencies:

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Promoting WHO's position in health leadership
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree (Master’s level) in Medicine or Clinical Psychology with a post-graduate qualification in the area of mental health.
Desirable: Doctorate in mental health.

Experience:

Essential: At least ten years working experience with increased responsibilities at country level in designing and delivering mental health services. Experience in the field of mental health policy, strategy development and project funding and international partnerships. Track record of experience with implementation of mental health reforms at country level.
Desirable: Working experience with the UN system, in particular WHO, or other relevant international organizations or programmes. Relevant experience in the WHO European Region.

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 100% FTE 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.

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