Adviser on Health Policy – P4  

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings. 

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 policies that are people centered, 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 WHO Country Office supports the Member State to shape their health policy in line with WHO’s principles and values and advocates for an integrated approach to health development. Through a single, unified and functionally integrated country representation, WHO facilitates the implementation of the BCA with the Member States and their corresponding country work plan. WHO helps the country to improve its health system and provides technical support as necessary. The WHO Country Office administers, consolidates, manages, and enhances WHO collaboration in the country including all resources deployed in the country either permanently or temporarily to maximize WHO impact. The Country Office also has a representation, fund-raising, and resource steering function, as needed.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide expert technical support and health policy advice to the national Government and the Ministry of Health to strengthen the country’s health system with the overall aim of advancing universal health coverage in the European region. To operationalize WHO/EURO’s health system strengthening (HSS) strategy at country level providing evidence-based technical advice and incorporating the stakeholders’ views and preferences, with the aim to reduce the financial burden of illness and ensure optimal access to quality health services. To lead, manage and coordinate the work of the health systems dedicated team at the WHO Country Office in order to enhance and strengthen work outcomes in this area at country level, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities:

A. Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of national health policies for health system strengthening to move towards UHC. Together with the WR and in the framework of WHO communication efforts, contribute to policy advocacy and creating strategic alliances for comprehensive and aligned health systems strengthening, as follows:

• Under the technical leadership of CPS, provide and mobilize technical advice to support the government in formulating and advocating for evidence-informed health system strengthening policies with priority given to:
• Policy advice to improve quality of coordinated and aligned service delivery to strengthen public health and primary care services in order to better prevent and control communicable and noncommunicable diseases with emphasis on integration of mental health services, social care, and long-term care;
• Policy advice to strengthen human resource policies for health as the key enabler of implementing the service delivery vision;
• Policy advice to transform health financing arrangements for UHC with a focus on developing an equitable benefit package, strengthening strategic purchasing arrangements, and improving governance and accountability;
• Policy advice on alignment of other critical system functions such as policies to access medicines and technologies and strengthened governance arrangements.
• Streamline EPW Flagships into HSS policies: ensure a connection between HSS policies at country level and the four EPW Flagships including (i) mental health, (ii) digital health,(iii) cultural and behavioral insights and (iv) the immunization 2030 agenda.
• Support the Ministry of Health in implementing the HSS drawing on European good practices and mobilizing expertise and know-how in reform implementation to improve overall sector governance arrangements and transparency.
• Contribute to the improvement and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation of progress towards UHC within the SDG framework.
• Carry out and facilitate analytical work (impact evaluation) in the areas of health financing, public health, and primary care to demonstrate the impact of reforms on health outcomes.
• In coordination with WR, support the MOH to advocate for alignment of international partners and other health institutions working to strengthen health systems, with the national planning and budgeting cycles, with the agreed country health policy dialogue mechanisms and schedules and with the established national monitoring mechanisms.

B. Strengthen capacity of national stakeholders to organize and lead an effective health policy dialogue focusing on priority areas (health financing, public health, primary care, health workforce and governance).

• In collaboration with WHO technical programs, support the design and implementation of a structured national health policy dialogue and communications process towards key stakeholders including higher levels of the government, local governments, parliamentarians, civil society and the population on priority reform areas;
• Work with the government and national stakeholders to develop strategic intelligence on key health system reform issues and on the policy environment and channel these to the policy dialogue and reform implementation process.

C. Coordinate the management and implementation of WHO’s HSS for UHC work plan in the Country Office within a “one-WHO” approach:

• Contribute to the development of the country support plan, operational plan under the Global Program of Work 13 and EPW, coordinating technical support from the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
• Contribute to effective programming, implementation, and financial management of all WHO funds for HSS within country and intercountry workplan, taking account of availability of funds, and ensuring effective monitoring of budget timelines and constraints.
• Regularly monitor and assess the performance of the HSS technical programme through evaluation, contribute to the regular monitoring efforts including towards donors, deliver periodic reports on progress, participate in internal and external progress meetings as required.
• Perform the general management of the HSS staff at all levels as first level supervisor (to include monitoring of workload, funds availability, performance management, and to establish mechanisms which ensure proper coordination within the team regarding travel and leave arrangements, in liaison with the WR and relevant technical staff 

D. Provide sub-regional cross-support to the implementation of national health policies for health system strengthening in coordination with CPS and WRs in countries at neighbouring duty stations.

E. Other duties within the scope of the work assigned as requested by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree(Master’s level) in public health, health policy, health management, health economics and/or financing, policy analysis, public policy and/or sociology.
Desirable: Additional post graduate degree in one of the above-mentioned areas of study.

Experience

Essential:

1.At least seven years of experience in health system strengthening with at least three years at international level. 

2.Demonstrated experience in supporting national agencies in health policy planning implementation and monitoring for health system strengthening.

3.Demonstrated experience in providing policy advice in the areas of health system transformation, health financing, public health, or primary care.

4.Proven track-record in organizing capacity building and policy dialogue events in the health sector.
 

Desirable: Specific experience in any of the following areas:

1.Demonstrated experience in supporting implementation of health financing policies to move towards universal health coverage including in strengthening governance of purchasing agencies, strengthening strategic purchasing, and benefit design.

2.Relevant experience in low and middle-income countries and countries of the WHO European Region.

3. Demonstrated track record of analytical papers and/or relevant publications.

Skills

Sound theoretical and applied knowledge of key strategic directions in health system strengthening in the WHO European region with specific focus on health financing policy, and public health and primary care services. Experience of working effectively with national and international counterparts, implementing partners, donor agencies and government authorities. Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain high standard of personal conduct. Excellent communication skills. Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment. Ability to identify  and manage one’s own emotions and help others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Russian.

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 2294 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 are strongly encouraged to apply.https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion
• 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 [email protected]

WHO Values Charter

• 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. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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