Project Officer (Data and Digital Health)

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 people-centred policies, 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 Data and Digital Health (DDH) coordinates the digital health flagship and provides technical and policy guidance and expertise on the safety and efficacy of digital health solutions; and preserving health equity, gender equality, equity and human rights as core values in their deployment. Through its work it will support countries to leverage the use of digital technologies for improving the interface between people and health services; for improving health system performance; and for strengthening critical public health functions including disease surveillance, early warning, and risk assessment. Furthermore, the unit is responsible for data collection, collation, analysis, presentation, and dissemination. It will monitor and measure progress in achieving the SDGs and the triple billion goals whilst developing and implementing a measurement framework for the EPW. It will provide strategic direction, technical assistance, and tailored support to countries to strengthen their capacity to be able to generate timely, credible, reliable, and actionable data. The priority will be to strengthen health information systems in non-EU countries. The unit will engage with experts and partners both within and outside the Region to harness synergies, reduce data collection burden and fill important data gaps. It will seek to develop new approaches and methodologies including the use of big data to complement traditional methods for timely measurement and monitoring of health status and health system performance. It will also be responsible for ensuring timely and effective dissemination of health statistics to serve as a basis for planning and prioritization of activities in countries.

The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions:

(i) providing Global Health leadership;

(ii) shaping the health research agenda;

(iii)setting norms and standards;

(iv) articulating evidence-based policy options;

(v) providing technical support to countries; and

(vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.

The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work2020-2025 - “United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens' expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

The Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for Romania was approved by the European Council to support the implementation of sustainable reforms. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is the national agency responsible for the implementation of the reforms related to health care. Within the RRP, WHO is responsible for the provision of technical assistance to the 3.2 component that addresses Romania's country-specific recommendation for improving health care access and cost-efficiency, including through the shift to outpatient care. It also focuses on strengthening the health system's resilience, including in the areas of health workers and medical products, and improving access to health services.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Summary of Assigned Duties

Within the framework of the WHO-lead project: EU-funded Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for Romania (component 7 on digitalization and Component 12 on addressing health care services) falling under the remit of DDH/CPS, to carry out the day-to-day management of the project sub-component on data and digital health at a national level, including liaison with national authorities, partners and, project teams ensuring that the agreed operational and funding provisions are fully followed and implemented at country level.

Key duties:

• Support the WHO Representative and Regional Adviser on Data and Digital Health in the preparation and updating of a project work plan in line with objectives and targets of the project and in close coordination with counterparts and partners.
• Carry out regular monitoring of activities and delivery of various milestones and deadlines, including budget monitoring and other related draft progress reports, as well as ensure that activities are carried out according to requirements and within the agreed deadlines. Oversee the daily functioning of the project and solve any operational problems that may arise.
• Contribute to the preparation and updating of a communication and visibility plan for the project facilitating advocacy, promotion and communication activities.
• Coordinate procurement of goods and any local services within the project in collaboration with relevant partners and ensure proper distribution and deployment of the resources procured.
• Contribute to the development, update and adaptation of relevant WHO standards, protocols and guidelines, training materials and tools, and to training needs' assessments as necessary in the context of the project; provide technical input and national context expertise in the organization of project training activities in coordination with relevant partners and ministries.
• Provide technical support to the Steering Committee and national task force(s) for the coordination of project activities at country level and ensure effective coordination and collaboration among related institutions, local authorities, and NGOs.
• Facilitate coordination with the relevant national authorities for joint country-based actions such as working groups, roundtables, and meetings to facilitate implementation of priority programme areas at national and local levels.
• Provide support in the organization of regular meetings of project partners and NGOs and other events to increase national awareness including visibility and media events whenever required.
• Provide technical and organizational support for study visits and country missions of WHO staff and experts planned for the duration of the project including documentation of and reporting on capacity building events as well as ensure follow up on recommendations.
• Perform other related duties as required by the supervisors for the successful implementation of the project.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in information technology, science, public health or equivalent areas, relevant to this position.
Desirable: Master's degree or post graduate training in any of the above.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of professional experience at the national level working in health systems/public health and health information-related areas particularly digital health technologies. Demonstrated experience in working with/within public projects and working with multiple stakeholders such as national policymakers, NGOs, and the private sector in the area of public health.
Desirable: Demonstrated experience in working with digital health, and in particular, design and implementation of digital health services. Demonstrated experience in planning and implementation of health-related projects or programmes.

Skills

1. Familiarity with digital health applications in health systems and public health.
2. Knowledge of the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics.
3. Demonstrated analytical, presentation and report writing skills.
4. Documented effective project, financial and planning management skills.
5. Proven ability to work comfortably in an international, multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of the goals and procedures of international organizations (United Nations system, donors, major non-governmental organizations) and European Union-funded health projects in countries.
7. Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others do the same.

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. Expert knowledge of Romanian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Russian.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at RON 217,145 (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.

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• 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.