WHO Policy for Fast Track procedures for Emergencies

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO country offices support national authorities to shape their health policy in line with WHO’s principles and values and advocate for an integrated approach to health development. The health policy advisor will provide the head of the WHO country office and ministry of health with technical support and mobilize expertise for policy advisory services for the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies, and plans (NHPSP) to strengthen the country’s health system, moving towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.

1- Work in coordination with all technical focal points at regional and headquarters levels, under the guidance of the head of the WHO country office.

2- Provide and mobilize technical advice to the government and national stakeholders on the design, implementation, and evaluation of national health policies for health system strengthening to move towards universal health coverage (UHC), by:

• Strengthening the capacity of national stakeholders to organize and lead an effective health policy dialogue and reform the implementation process (including by developing strategic intelligence on key health system reform issues, focusing on priority areas of health financing, public health, primary care, health workforce and governance);
• The development of an aligned, service-delivery vision to strengthen public health and primary care services so as to better prevent and control communicable and noncommunicable diseases; and the transformation of health financing arrangements for universal health coverage, including improving governance and accountability;
• The alignment of other critical system functions such as human resource and accessible policies for medicines and technologies, as well as strengthened governance arrangements;
• The improvement and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for health systems strengthening, agreeable to all stakeholders, with communicable and noncommunicable diseases health targets, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• The provision of models and approaches in evidence- informed, health policy implementation and health systems’ strengthening to facilitate learning and capacity building in policy making at national level;
• the identification of synergies and networking between the WHO country office and other UN organizations, non-state actors, and international donors towards the implementation of health systems transformation at the country-level.

3- Establish and strengthen links and partnerships with public and private institutions, non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies, for the exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches.

4- Demonstrate the impact of reforms on health outcomes and UHC through facilitating impact evaluations in the areas of health financing, public health, and primary care.

5- Perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s level) in public health, health systems/services administration, health management or health related field or formal, equivalent qualifications in International/global health policy or in similar fields.

Desirable: Post-graduate training or specialization in health systems and/or health planning, management, or health economics.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of seven years of work experience relevant to the position (such as in health-sector policy, strategy development, and planning), with some of it obtained in an international work environment. Specific experience required in health financing. A minimum of four years of experience is required in a governmental institution or international organization serving either (i) resource-limited countries or (ii) middle-income countries.

Desirable:

• Experience in health sector assessments analyses, evaluation, and reporting.
• A track record in consensus building and enlisting cooperation by diverse national stakeholders.
• Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained at an international level.

Skills

• Technical knowledge and skills in policy formulation and implementation.
• Technical knowledge and skills in planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.
• Knowledge of primary- healthcare-based health systems, health systems transformation and reform.
• Knowledge of health financing policy analysis for universal health coverage.
• Technical expertise in planning, monitoring and evaluating health systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication, including for reports, presentations and technical documents.
• Ability to provide sound methodological and technical guidance in Health Policy to multiple stakeholders and partners in countries.
• Ability to integrate, synthesize, and communicate health-policy concepts and ideas.
• Technical knowledge and skills in planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.

WHO Competencies

WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

Other Skills (e.g IT)

Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday. 

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 77,326 (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 2855 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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.

• 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• 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.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website.

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