National Professional Officer (Health Systems)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall goal of the related department is to strengthen health systems in ways that will advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and therefore progress towards the health Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Country and therefore, the AF Region, with an increased focus on reaching vulnerable populations, through the following strategic directions:1. Adapting frontline services to changing needs, backed up by hospital care, with attention to safety, quality and equity - including gender; health workforce education and rural retention; improved human resources for health data; and HRH governance2. Improving access to quality medical products, through regional cooperation on pricing, procurement, and regulation; use of TRIPS flexibilities; antimicrobial stewardship; improved medicines data3. Using evidence for more equitable, sustainable health sector plans and financing strategies to improve health service coverage and financial protection, and so progress towards UHC. Strengthening measurement and accountability for progress of UHC and SDGs, with a focus on equity; better mortality data; integrated information platforms and use of data in decision-making

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the related Regional Strategic frameworks and related country's overall health policy and strategy framework as well as its vision for UHC, the incumbent will:1. Provide technical support to the MoH and health partners in the organization and management of health services to respond to changing needs, with a focus on strengthening frontline services, backed up by appropriate hospital care.2. Assure the provision of technical support and advice to the MoH related to Service Planning and package design, models of care, including assessment of feasibility of implementation.3. Provide technical support and advice to the MoH in the development of strategies and plans to adapt services to deliver adequate quality and safe continuing care within and between primary and secondary level facilities.4. Provide technical support and advice to the MoH relating to support for the Development of health workforce policies and strategies that respond to current and future health service needs, workload and labour market dynamics, with special attention to frontline services.5. Provide technical support to Ministry of Health in the review and analysis of Health workforce education curricula/ health professional curricula development/revision; accreditation and regulation of health professional training institutions; inter-professional education and continuing professional development.6. Support the MoH and health partners in the assessment of trends in health service performance and results, including equity and quality/safety, and cross-country learning.7. Provide evidence-based support through policy advice, capacity building and evidence generation in various related areas:8. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree in medicine, health sciences, public health or community health, health policy and planning, health systems management, medical/social anthropology, health human resource management, or social sciences, from a recognized university.
Desirable: Training in any of the following areas: public health, health service organization, management, quality and safety; health workforce education and management; health policy, planning and management.

Experience

Essential: At least five (5) years' experience in health service organization. -Experience in health management, quality and safety. -Some experience in Experience in human resources for health (HRH) or health systems strengthening and assessment or health policies or strategy and plan development and implementation or evaluation.
Desirable: Experience in analysis of and support to national health systems in Malawi

Skills

1.Knowledge of principles of public health and health systems; health services organization, management, quality and safety; health services and system assessments and how to address challenges identified; human resources for health; health systems development and management; monitoring and evaluation2. Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely communicate complex issues3.Demonstrated ability to maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders in government and beyond, including other development agencies.Desirable: Knowledge of WHO rules and regulations and good knowledge of the working of UN and other international agencies

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Expert knowledge of Local Language.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at MWK 29,808,000 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.