Medical Officer (Health Systems Strengthening)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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 WHO European Centre for Primary Care in Almaty aims to develop into a center of excellence and European reference point on primary health care led policies towards UHC with demonstrated country impact. Building on the spirit/legacy of the Alma-Ata Declaration and the Astana Conference, the center will focus on developing pragmatic and actionable policy recommendations to strengthen primary health care in the region using a multi-disciplinary approach. The Almaty Office will contribute to all three pillars of the EPW and each of its four flagships. It will aim to inspire action at country level by producing and disseminating state-of-the art evidence on effective models of primary health care aligned with other health system functions to move towards UHC. The office will contribute to articulating the role of primary health care in health emergencies including in the continued COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, it will contribute to better health and reduced health inequalities in Europe by strengthening its functions and organization to address upstream determinants of health including to support member states to strengthen public health services and build links between mental health, long-term care, social services and primary health care to address upstream determinants of health for improved health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of the position is to provide expert technical input and advice to Member States as well as regional coordination for strengthening health systems with a focus on primary health care strengthening and health workforce development, particularly at the primary health care level and in rural areas, thereby providing support to strengthen leadership of health authorities at local and national levels with the aim of moving towards universal health coverage and as part of the UHC Partnership effort.

Key duties:

1. Lead and coordinate the development of frameworks, tools and approaches to strengthen the local primary health system with a focus on health workforce development, particularly in rural areas, working towards achieving Goal 3 of the SDGS.

2. Contribute to policy advocacy and create strategic alliances with key stakeholders for strengthening primary health care services in the country, in particular in rural areas as a core strategy for sustainable progress towards UHC.

3. Provide and mobilize national and international technical expertise and advice to support the Member State in formulating, designing implementing and advocating for strengthening primary health care.

4. Manage the pilot/demonstration projects in PHC, in collaboration with the national stakeholders including ensuring timely and successful implementation of the project including the management of finances and the human resources.

5. Provide policy advice for a longer-term human-resources-for-health policy for the government of Azerbaijan based on changing needs and current gaps.

6. Advocate for the strengthening of human resources for health at the country level by cultivating a wide range of relationships with government partners, key professional organizations, academic institutions, civil society organizations and other partners.

7. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Master's level) in medicine, nursing, public health or equivalent subject field.
Desirable: Additional university degree or Ph.D. in any of the above fields.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of relevant work experience in one of the following technical areas: health services delivery; primary health care/UHC reforms; national health strategies and planning; developing human resources for health.
Desirable: Relevant work experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations, or in an organization with a health or research focus.

Skills

Demonstrated expert knowledge in knowledge translation and bridging the research-to-policy gap.

Excellent writing and communication skills.

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.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Russian.

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 74,913 (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 1885 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.