National Professional Officer (Primary Health Care)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the Division of Health Emergencies (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to assess, prevent and manage health emergency risks, and lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The WHE Division brings together and enhances WHO’s operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. The Programme is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical support to the oblast and municipal health administrations and local health care facilities in assessment of priority health needs of a population in conflict-affected areas (CAA) and/or newly regained territories (NRT), as a base for restoration and strengthening of people-centered, integrated and quality PHC amidst the emergency.

2. Provide technical support to the oblasts and municipal health administrations and local health care facilities in the PHC network assessment and provide solutions to improve the PHC infrastructure (prefabs).

3. Support the primary health care facilities in priority areas to ensure continuity of care at emergencies particularly for people with chronic disorders, pregnant mothers, children under five years’ morbidities and disabilities, etc. and provide measures to strengthen referral channels.

4. Support the training packages development, planning and co-facilitate training of human resources in health aimed at increasing the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of the PHC workforce; organize, conduct, or facilitate capacity-building activities, including on GBV for PHC in CAA and/or NRT.

5. Support design and implementation of effective solutions to deliver primary health care services to people in CAA and/or NRT including integration of mobile health units, telemedicine technologies, and other innovative models in the regular service provision.

6. Support the strengthening and implementing the health data collection systems, reporting mechanisms, including working closely with mobile health units and contribute to the rollout of health service delivery assessments.

7. Support the development of risk communication materials and coordinate and engage communities to promote critical health-related messages in the CAA and/or NRT.

8. Maintain regular correspondence with local public authorities and health representatives with regards to primary health care strengthening as part of the health system development.

9. Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education Qualifications

Essential: University degree (Bachelor) in health systems/services administration, health management or health related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable: Specialization or training in the delivery of primary health care service and health system.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of professional experience in health system management and or experience in primary health care facility settings management. And related strategy development with WHO and/or other UN agencies as well as health cluster partners and recognized humanitarian organizations.

Desirable: Experience in WHO, the UN System and/or NGOs in the area of health operation, outbreak response and planning of emergency interventions in the context of public health and/or humanitarian action.

Functional Knowledge and Skills

▪ Excellent knowledge of health system and UHC principles, with focus on the primary health care service delivery.

▪ Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological, technical advice and guidance in primary health care.

▪ Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills.

▪ Ability to work in complex national or international settings in support of international emergency health interventions to often insecure and geographically hostile environments.

▪ Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings and excellent inter-personal skills.

▪ Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize, and communicate complex concepts and ideas verbally and in writing.

▪ Ability to monitor and communicate progress in terms of process and results.

▪ Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills.

WHO Competencies

*1. Teamwork
*2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
*3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Ukrainian.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other Official WHO Languages.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
2. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
3. A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
4. In the event 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.
5.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.
6.Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and E-Manual.
7.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 workforce. 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 [email protected]
8. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
9. 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 short-listed candidates.
10. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
11. 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.
12. The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
13. For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int 
14. 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.
15. 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].
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