OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research is a hosted partnership situated in the Science Division, aiming to promote the generation and use of health policy and systems research (HPSR) as a means to improve developing country health systems. Specifically, the objectives of the Alliance HPSR are to Stimulate the generation and synthesis of policy-relevant health systems knowledge, encompassing evidence, tools and methods; Promote the dissemination and use of health policy and systems research knowledge to improve the performance of health systems; Facilitate the development of capacity for the generation, dissemination and use of HPSR knowledge among researchers, policy-makers and other stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Policy Advisor and the Executive Director, the Technical Officer will undertake day-to-day leadership and management of the Alliance's diverse portfolio of implementation research.

  • This will include coordination of external stakeholders, outreach to potential funders, development of proposals, and maintaining networks with institutions in low and middle-income countries undertaking IR.
  • S/he will diversify the Alliance's portfolio of IR, in particular, to support IR on service delivery for non-communicable diseases.
  • S/he will support processes of priority setting, capacity building, research and knowledge utilization activities in low and middle-income countries.
  • S/he will develop, and coordinate the development of relevant documents, reports, and journal publications, and make presentations on the work of this portfolio to diverse audiences as needed.
  • S/he will liaise with in-country and international partners, research institutes, policymakers and funders to advance the aims of this portfolio.
  • S/he will actively develop and manage partnerships with other departments within WHO and external partners with the aim of advancing the broader field of Implementation Research.
  • S/he will build relationships with policy and decision-makers, researchers and funders to stimulate and support the generation of HPSR and IR evidence and its uptake in decision-making in LMIC.
  • S/he will provide national-level training for researchers and decision-makers, and organize and facilitate meetings, symposia and conferences to better understand challenges to HPSR and IR evidence generation and uptake in LMIC and advocate for the Alliance HPSR's role in strengthening health systems.
  • S/he will also perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director and the Policy Advisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Systems or Health Systems Research
Desirable: PhD in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Systems or Health Systems Research

Experience

Essential: - A minimum of seven years of experience in the conduct and management of HPSR and IR in LMICs. Experience in engaging with initiatives and networks for implementation research, and working with national and subnational leaders. A minimum of 10 publications in peer-reviewed journals in areas relating to IR or HPSR. Research coordination and management experience in a department, organization, or project/consortium engaged in international development work. Experience in developing partnerships with policymakers in the Member States towards facilitating evidence-informed decision-making at the national and global levels.Experience in developing and maintaining partnerships with other stakeholders in the HPSR community including global and national research institutions and global health funders. Experience in the development and management of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for reporting to donors
Desirable: Relevant experience at the global, regional and/or country level with an international organization.

Skills

  • Expertise in research on health systems strengthening in LMICs, including demand-driven IR.
  • Excellent understanding of the current state of HPSR and IR, challenges and opportunities facing the field, and linkages with larger global health agendas.
  • Ability to conceptualize and develop high-quality HPSR and IR outputs including journal articles to inform health system strengthening in LMICs.
  • Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills towards engaging with high-level policymakers in Member States, global health donor agencies and global experts in health systems research.
  • Proven programme management skills towards ensuring timely production of high-quality deliverables.
  • Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages depending on the intended audience.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with international and national staff at all levels.
  • Good understanding of the requirements of working with policy and decision-makers and stimulating the use of evidence, especially in developing countries.
  • Good track record of management of projects and research grants and coordinating or conducting implementation research in LMICs.
  • Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.

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.
Desirable: Beginner's knowledge of French. Beginner's knowledge of Spanish.

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 75,602 (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 5185 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.
  • 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.
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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.