Liaison Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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 Work 2020-2025 -“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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Through a close liaison between the Ministry of Health and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, facilitate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Organization's programme in the country, including the Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA). The incumbent coordinate's WHO's work with health development and UN System partners in the country, contributing to the achievement of national health objectives and commitments. Key duties: As Liaison Officer between the Ministry of health and the WHO Regional Office, the incumbent assumes the coordination and oversight of WHO activities in the country through the relevant managerial processes and responsibilities, as well as administration of partnership activities. Establish and sustain partnerships with relevant national health stakeholders, and contribute to certifying the correct high technical quality, policy relevant and timely implementation of all activities carried out under the donor financed initiatives or in agreed partnerships at national level. Act as a neutral broker and facilitate multisectoral policy dialogue between national authorities, WHO Regional Office, the local donor community and other local partners, on health and development policies. The incumbent will advocate (when possible) for the incorporation of a human rights and gender equality perspective in policies, workshops, activities (as appropriate) by the actors normally involved in policy-making. Support the implementation of WHO activities with a special focus on using the European Program of Work its approaches and flagship initiatives, as well as the GPW13. This includes providing support to the Ministry of Health and other sectors in activities which include developing, implementing and evaluating national policies and strategies that help to improve health system performance, inter-sectorial action for health and wellbeing with the involvement of stakeholders and actors at national, sub-national and sub-regional level. Provide health leadership technical assistance and policy advice at national level on priority issues such as: strengthening health systems, public health functions, emergency preparedness, surveillance and response; implementation of strategies and interventions to address the health burden of communicable diseases, the environment and non-communicable diseases across the life-course as well as on the implementation of the SDGs with a specific focus on SDG 3 and its targets. Provide support to national authorities and counterparts in the application of WHO tools and guidelines for the improvement of health information and collation of information, data analysis, and preparation of regular and timely briefings, reports, or situation analysis. Oversee the day to day running and operations of the Country Office ensuring that work is carried out within WHO rules, regulations and accepted standards. Link with institutions, associations and non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches. Liaise with key stakeholders and partners and seek to expand partnership for health in all policies. Contribute in mobilizing support and resources for health and advocate for health to be considered as an integral part of national development and aid cooperation. Ensure visibility of and promote WHO's work by means of networking and partnerships with relevant health communications stakeholders (e.g. media, civil society, government and non-government communications experts from other agencies, etc.). Key duties are subject to change pending introduction of multi-country WR collaboration model in WHO EURO Assist in preparations of missions to the field and support consultants or on missions to neighbouring Member States.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, public health, social, political sciences, economics or relevant areas.
Desirable: Master's degree in one of the above fields.

Experience

Essential: At least five 5 years of demonstrated experience at country level providingtechnical and managerial support and policy advice in any of the followingareas: strengthening health systems, public healthfunctions, emergency preparedness, surveillance and response; implementation ofstrategies and interventions to address the health burden of communicablediseases, non-communicable diseases and the environment.Demonstrated experience coordinating activities withpartners, stakeholders and donors in the areas public health, health systems orinternational development.
Desirable: Experience working with international organizations, WHO, or the UN in delivering policy advice and technical support to countries.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of WHO policies and programmes. Demonstrated ability inworking with government officials, stakeholders, health actors, civil societyand other networks in the area of public health.Demonstrated advocacyskills. Analytical skills and demonstrated knowledge on health system analysis.Emotionalintelligence; Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well ashelping others to 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 LOCAL LANGUAGE.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French,Russian,Germa.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at EUR 47,728 (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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion)are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• 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.

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