Technical Officer (Digital Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the designand 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), located within the Division of Country Policies and Systems, is the strategic programme for digital health implementation in the WHO European Region. The Flagship provides technical and policy guidance and expertise on the safety and efficacy of digital health solutions and preserving health equity, gender equality, and human rights as core values in their deployment. Through its work, the Flagship will support countries to leverage the use of digital technologies for improving quality of care and access to health services, strengthening health system performance, empowering individuals and patients, and for enabling critical public health functions including disease surveillance, early warning and risk assessment.

The DHF aligns to the Regional Office's European Programme of Work (EPW) through three Strategic Objectives:

1) Accelerating development of safe, inclusive and people-centered digital health services for universal health coverage;

2) Strengthening preparedness and resilience through effective use of data and digital technologies; and

3) Leveraging digital technologies to transform health systems from reactive care to preventive health and well-being.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of the post is to provide assistance to the Regional Adviser for the Digital Health Flagship and contribute as a team member towards the planning, coordination and implementation of strategic goals and activities ofthe unit. S/he will support the Regional Adviser with the planning and coordination of the Flagship activities including country coordination, monitoring 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:

Is responsible for the technical co-ordination and delivery of assigned activities, projects and support requests from Member States to further development of their national digital health programmes and interoperable health information exchange.

Supports Member States through application of global and regional policy, technical and operational guidance for the digital transformation of health services and public health (e.g. ePrescription, eVaccination, Digital Mental Health, Digitalization of Primary Health Care etc.). This includes development of specific regional and national guidance for digital health as relevant.

Works to establish and maintain a regional country consultation network for digital health for the exchange of experiences and fostering of digital transformation of the health system, this includes management of sub-regional and thematic networks for digital health, as applicable.

Develops materialand activities to enhance digital health competency and confidence in identified target groups and to ensure that gender, equity and human rights are incorporated in the design and scaling up of digital health interventions.

Liaises with experts, partners, agencies, collaborating centres, non-state actors and other stakeholders with relevance to Digital Health.

Drafts documentation and reports on progress of digital health activities that contribute to the implementation of flagships and other priority technical programmes in line with the EPW.

Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) information technology, science, health (or equivalent).
Desirable: University degree(Master's level) in digital health (or equivalent).

Experience

Essential:

At least 5 years of professional experience at national and international level, in the implementation of digital health technologies, informatics or data science. Demonstrated experience in working with digital health enablers such as strategy, policy, standards, governance, legislation, financing or literacy.

Desirable: Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations. Experience in managing and supporting national, professional or civil society programmes in the area of digital health. Experience in working with digital health service design and implementation e.g.Telehealth, patient portals, hospital information systems, mHealth, Artificial Intelligence. Familiarity with data governance and national health information systems.

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 both internally and externally and engage with experts and stakeholders from different fields, including policy makers, researchers, civil society and the private sector. Strong analytical, research, presentation and report writing skills. Effective project, financial and planning management skills. Ability to identify and manageone's own emotions, as well as helping others do the same. Ability to work comfortably in an international, multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian and/or German.

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 62,120 (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 3396 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• 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.