Technical Officer (SSA)

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Technical Officer (NOB level) to support integration of Gender, Equity and Rights (GER) into the project on Primary Health Care and Health Systems for the recovery and resilience of countries in the context of COVID-19

1. Background

Gender-based differences between women and men, girls and boys – in terms of health needs, risk behaviours, respective power and control over resources and information, and access to health services – continue to hinder effective coverage of health services and impacts on health outcomes. To this end, the 2030 agenda for sustainable development prioritizes gender, equity and human rights (GER) as major considerations for advancing towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Women’s and gender issues are prioritized under SDG 5 on Gender Equality, as well as in a number of other goals and targets. The WHO 13^th General Progamme of Work 2019-2023 (GPW13) clearly highlights GER integration in health as an important component of the strategic shifts of the organization in a period of transformation and emerging challenges for health and well-being around the world. WHO policies and programmes at all levels have also followed this direction by integrating a pro-equity position and promoting impactful integration of GER considerations. Furthermore, “A Healthier Humanity: the WHO Investment case for 2019-2023”, emphasised integration of GER into health to close coverage gaps, enhance participation and resilience, and empower individuals and communities to ensure no-one is left behind, and to make meaningful and timely progress towards UHC.

The project, “Strengthening local and national Primary Health Care and Health Systems for the recovery and resilience of countries in the context of COVID-19” supported by the Government of Canada aims to enable WHO to assist target countries to address needs and gaps identified for the continuation of essential services and for strengthened equity-oriented, gender-responsive and human rights-based primary healthcare (PHC) in the context of COVID-19. Ghana is one of the countries implementing this project. The aim is to contribute to strengthened primary health care in the country, particularly in regards to COVID-19 response and recovery, and to improve the ability of the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and other agencies, health workforce and key stakeholders to deliver equity-oriented and gender-responsive essential health services.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this Short-term Services Agreement (SSA) contract is to have a Technical Officer to facilitate the integration of GER analysis and actions into the WHO Country Office’s programing including the PHC project. The officer will provide technical support to the government in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the delivery of equity-oriented and gender-responsive essential health services, women empowerment and leaving no one behind.

3. Duties and Responsibilities

The Technical Officer for GER will support the WHO Country Office’s capacity for GER analysis, barriers assessment and integration; working closely with the GER focal persons, government, in-country partners and civil society and the larger stakeholders’ group. The Technical Officer will work under the overall supervision of the WHO Country Representative and will report directly to the GER focal person in the WHO Country Office. Specifically, the officer will be responsible for the following tasks:

3.1 Capacity Building

• Coordinate and facilitate training of WHO staff and Government counterparts on gender, equity and human rights approaches including barriers and health equity assessment and health sector response to gender-based violence and provide technical support for integration actions and processes.

3.2 Gender Analysis and Mainstreaming

• Coordinate and facilitate the analysis of the role of GER in health and health interventions, especially in the light of COVID response and incorporate the considerations into health and inter-sectoral policies, strategies, programmes, plans and resource mobilization proposals to address systemic and avoidable gender-based inequalities in health. This will include advocating for health data disaggregation by sex and age and other equity stratifiers.
• Support the development and sharing of information on best practices and lessons learned related to gender and women’s participation in health, and efforts towards ensuring effective coverage of vulnerable women and girls’ access to health services.

4. Qualifications and experience

• A master’s degree, or equivalent in Gender Studies, Public Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies or equivalent discipline or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the areas of gender, sexual and reproductive health, women’s health or development.
• Strong ability to conduct and apply findings from GER analyses to specific contexts, including translating evidences into effective policies and programmatic interventions on the field.

Desirable

• Relevant field experience with international organizations and familiarity with the UN system will be an advantage.
• A good working relationship/experience with the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service, other agencies and partners will be an advantage.
• Good oral and written communication in English (must be fluent in English)
• Good computer skills

Competencies

• Producing results;
• Communicating in a credible and effective way;
• Fostering integration and teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences