1. Purpose of the Position
The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (OBS) roster system establishes a pool of high-level expertise on core health systems functions and issues to facilitate rapid deployment and flexibly for future evidence generation and knowledge brokering. The roster helps the Observatory to meet its work plan commitments; support Member States; and provide senior policy makers with the tailored evidence they need to take better informed health system decisions. It is established within the rules of WHO and is consistent with the Observatory Manual provisions [5.5].
The consultants supplement the strengths of the core staff team and expand the Observatory’s capacity to cover critical areas. This includes advise on quality through:
- Editorial panels: The HiT and joint Policy Brief series each have an editorial panel made up of distinguished academics, policy makers and knowledge brokers who are able to provide advice to the series as a whole
- Networks: Country monitoring, analysis and performance actively manage or tap into networks of academics and / or policy makers (the Health Systems and Policy Monitor, collaborative studies)
- Expert workshops: Each study is ‘tested’ at a workshop where papers are presented to other authors and invited experts who provide feedback
- Occasional symposia: Studies may also be presented at symposia targeted explicitly at Partners and their nominees with external experts taking part and supporting review and debate on technical and content issues
- External / peer review: All HiTs, studies, briefs and summaries are sent for review on completion (and when appropriate at the proposal stage) to experts with particular and proven expertise in the topic or country addressed
2. Organizational context
The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies is an intergovernmental partnership, hosted by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, which specialises in the development of health systems within Europe.
The Observatory works across a range of functions including country monitoring, analysis, health systems performance management and knowledge brokering to meet its objectives. It is essential that the Observatory is adequately resources to be able to:
(i) deliver across the widest range of technical areas
(ii) respond to policy questions from all its stakeholders
(iii) integrate effectively across its strands of work; with previous years’ work; and with the wider academic and policy environments to avoid duplication and demonstrate value for money.
3. Description of duties
The Observatory is recruiting external academic consultants who have a track record of specialist research to provide in-depth technical inputs for specific studies and topics. The network of experts provides scientific advice, generate evidence through counry monitoring, analysis and performance as well as communicate it by knowledge brokering for use by stakeholders.
Specific tasks will be included in the individual terms of reference at the time of the contract.
4. Recruitment Profile
Functional Knowledge and Skills
Essential:
1. Governance (at provider, health system, inter-sectoral and EU levels and including regulation universal coverage, AMR, public health and health in all policies)
2. Health systems performance assessment (including measurement and management, quality, patient safety, responsiveness, efficiency and equity)
3. Health workforce (including skill mix, planning, retention, mobility, and informal care)
4. Health system responsiveness and resilience (including work in the face of COVID-19 and building back)
5. Knowledge brokering (including working face to face with senior decision makers in governments and agencies, providing advice on evidence-based options, writing, editing and publishing on health systems issues).
Desirable:
1. Innovation in organization and technologies and implementing change (innovation strategies; scaling up and rolling out; the transferability of policy options)
2. Health financing (including the economics of health, paying for services, instruments and mechanisms, investment in health, value for money and sustainability)
3. Service delivery (including integrated care, patient centered health systems, primary care-hospital care-social care pathways, and caring for ageing populations)
Education Qualifications
Essential: An advanced university degree in health, economics, management, social science, law or a related area.
Desirable: A doctorate relating directly to the technical health system areas above.
Experience
Expert/ Senior expert
Essential:
10 years and above of professional experience in the field of health policy and governance. Proven track record in European health systems and policies and a focus on the generation of evidence to meet policy makers’ needs as demonstrated by posts held and publications.
A proven ability to take a senior role in international and comparative research in health policy as evinced by leadership of or significant contributions to relevant research projects and consortia.
Desirable:
A minimum of 7 years’ knowledge brokering experience and, in the shaping and provision of evidence to policy makers as demonstrated by participation in dialogues and / or advice to decision makers and / or international organizations and / or advisory boards. Track record in publishing and in presenting
Specialist
Essential:
Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the field of health policy and governance. Proven track record in European health systems and policies and a focus on the generation of evidence to meet policy makers’ needs as demonstrated by posts held and publications.
A proven ability to take a senior role in international and comparative research in health policy as evinced by leadership of or significant contributions to relevant research projects and consortia.
Desirable:
A minimum of 3 years’ knowledge brokering experience and, in the shaping and provision of evidence to policy makers as demonstrated by participation in dialogues and / or advice to decision makers and / or international organizations and / or advisory boards. Track record in publishing and in presenting
Languages
Essential: Advanced knowledge of English
Desirable: French or other EU Language
5. Contract duration
The duration of the contracts will depend on the individual TORs and may vary.
6. Location
Multiple location – Mainly offsite
7. Travel
N/A
8. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)
The remuneration will depend on the individual contracts and on the complexity of the tasks, following WHO policy on remuneration.
9. Living expenses
N/A
10. Work schedule
Working schedule to be agreed with supervisors.
11. Additional Information
• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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.
• 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.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.