Regional Advisor – Primary Health Care

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall goal of the Health Systems Development department is to strengthen health systems in ways that will advance universal health coverage (UHC) and therefore progress towards the health Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs2030) in the eleven SEAR countries, with an increased focus on reaching vulnerable populations, through the following strategic directions: Building back health systems in the context of COVID based on a strong primary health care foundation for resilience and rapid progress towards UHC. Strengthening primary health care systems and services as well as adapting primary healthcare services to changing needs, backed up by appropriate care at the secondary and tertiary levels, with attention to safety, quality and equity – including gender; Systematically addressing social, economic, environmental and commercial determinants of health through evidence-informed public policies and actions across all sectors; Empowering people, families, and communities to take control of their health, as advocates for policies that promote and protect health, as co-developers of health and social services through social and community participation, and as self-carers and care-givers to others; and Ensuring people’s main health problems are addressed through comprehensive promotive, protective, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care throughout the life course, strategically prioritizing key services aimed at the population (e.g., public health functions) and personal services (e.g., primary care) as the central elements of integrated service delivery across all levels of care.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the PHC Operational Framework, SE Asia Regional Strategy on PHC, regional strategic frameworks and a country’s overall health policy and strategy framework as well as its vision for UHC, the incumbent shall be the Regional Expert on primary health care approaches in terms of promoting integrated people-centered PHC systems, provision of essential health services and essential public health functions, strengthening and capacity building in countries and will provide evidence-based support through policy advice and technical support. Under the overall guidance of Director, Programme Management and supervision of Director, Department of UHC/Health Systems, the incumbent will:

1. Collaborate with technical departments and units within UHC/health systems development and beyond to ensure integration of various public health programmes in primary health care and to ensure that the principles of PHC are embedded into all public health and disease control programmes;

2. Provide policy guidance and technical support to countries to materialize primary health care approaches to respond to changing needs, with a focus on strengthening primary health care system;

3. Provide technical support to countries to strengthen their capacity to design and implement and appropriate package of services within the framework of integrated and comprehensive primary health care, ensuring appropriate linkages to secondary and tertiary levels of care in the health care systems of countries;

4. Provide technical assistance to countries to measure and monitor progress on strengthening primary health care for equitable and quality care, including performance of primary health care, as foundation for achieving UHC and health-related SDGs;

5. Demonstrate leadership by being the focal point in fostering collaboration across programmes, sectors and all partners;

6. Focal point for PHC in the Regional Office for dialogue and communication between the three levels of the organization and between Member States and development partners; and

7. Any other task assigned by the Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in Medicine, public health, social or management science or related health sciences with Postgraduate/Masters level degree in Public Health, health systems, health workforce development, health economics, health administration or health service management
Desirable: Post graduate qualification in international development, economics, law, or other social sciences with focus on supporting multi-sectoral action for health.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of relevant experience in health systems strengthening and assessment particularly in Primary Health Care, including considerable experience in international context.
Desirable: Experience of work in public health, health policy, planning and management at country, and global levels, and experience of the WHO and UN system.

Skills

Essential:

• Knowledge of principles of primary health care and of public health and health systems.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely communicate complex issues.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders in government and beyond, including other development agencies.

Desirable: Experience in WHO and/or Knowledge of WHO rules and regulations and good knowledge of the working of UN and other international agencies in the area of public health.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of regional language(s) would be an asset.

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 92,731 (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 3253 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.

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• 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.

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