WHO has been entrusted with the implementation of the Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) component of the Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP) under the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), managed by the World Bank, which commences in July 2024.  The HSTP under the MDTF has been conceived as part of the process of increasing efficiencies, reducing transactional costs and improving health system and service delivery impact within the health sector. The HSTP consists of two components: Health Service Delivery (HSD) and Health systems strengthening (HSS) that will be implemented by UNICEF and WHO respectively, while ensuring synergy and complementarity to maximize impact.

The HSS interventions were jointly developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with partners and are aligned to the Health Sector Strategic Plan (2023-2027) priorities. They are structured along the following eleven program areas: Emergency Preparedness and Response; Laboratory Systems; Blood Transfusion Services; Health Information Systems; Health Financing; Leadership and Governance; Partnerships; Quality of Care; Essential Medicines; Human Resources for Health; and Disease Control.

The WHO country office is therefore embarking on implementation of the health systems strengthening component of the HSTP and requires a Project Officer to provide overall technical assistance and coordinate implementation of the Health Sector Transformation Project interventions.

Duties and Deliverables

Duties:

·       Develop and implement a project implementation strategy with MoH, subnational health authorities and partners, and provide perspective, advice and strategic guidance on activities related to the Health Systems Strengthening.

·         Coordinate with the WCO clusters and ensure effective organization, management, and implementation of the Health Systems Strengthening activities and plans at the Country Office.

·         Oversee and manage the mechanisms, activities, to ensure effective coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting across all clusters of the country office.

·         Monitor technical and financial progress with implementation of the HSS Component of the HSTP against project indicators and prepare timely, technical, and financial progress reports

·         Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with the MoH and relevant partners to ensure effective coordination, synchronization, synergy and complementarity of the project activities.

·          Support the day-to-day implementation of project activities at national and subnational levels in collaboration with MOH and partners

·         Support in the recruitment of project staff, manage, supervise, coordinate, coach, and mentor project staff.

·         Represent the organization in meetings and workshops, when required to discuss the HSTP project.

·         Work with the Resource Mobilization Officer to explore opportunities for mobilization of additional resources for the project.

·         Work with the Communication Officer to ensure adequate visibility and advocacy for the project.

·         Identify potential risks along with mitigation actions, coordinate with relevant stakeholders to address emerging risks in a timely manner. Perform other related duties as directed by the WHO Representative.

Deliverables:

·      Deliverable 1: Project implementation Strategy developed, and guidance developed

·      Project staff recruited, supervised, coached and mentored

·      Deliverable 2: Inter-cluster coordination established for effective management of HSS interventions.

·      Deliverable 3: Monthly project monitoring reports

·      Deliverable 4: Monthly project technical and financial reports

·      Deliverable 5: HSTP meetings and workshops organized

·      Deliverable 6: Funding secured through resource mobilization

·      Deliverable 7: Visibility and advocacy reports.

·      Deliverable 8: Risk mitigation plan developed

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential; University degree in medicine or related field with master’s degree in public health or health policy, planning and financing.

Desirable: Training in project management, Monitoring and Evaluation or Health Systems.

Experience

Essential: 

·         A minimum of Five (5) years’ experience in the management of public health and development health programs at national and international levels, including considerable experience in working in fragile, conflicted and vulnerable countries.

·         Hands on experience in developing and/or managing multi-sector partnership health systems strengthening programs

·         Demonstrated experience in working on bridging the humanitarian/development nexus

Demonstrated and extensive experience in health systems programming in developing and/or fragile contexts.

Desirable:

• Experience in the UN system or any international NGOs.
• Knowledge and skills in managing public health programmes, complemented by experience very good oral and written communication skills with the ability to write strategic /policy documents/ briefs.
•  Knowledge and skills in project management (finances, budgets and staff) and clear proof of responsibility for management of work plan activities.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in networking and building sustained partnerships and working with others in similar settings/context.

 Skills/Knowledge:

·         Teamwork

·         Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.

·         Communication

·         Ensuring the effective use of resources

·         Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

·         Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Languages and level required.

·         Expert knowledge of English

Additional Information (For HR use only):

·         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.
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