Senior Health Policy Advisor (Health Systems) – P5

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recruitment might be filled by using the Fast Track Process.

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The incumbent will provide technical leadership and policy advisory services to the head of the WHO country office and ministry of health to support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans (NHPSP), strengthening the country’s health system and 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.

Work in coordination with all technical focal points at regional and headquarters levels, under the guidance of the head of the WHO country office.
Provide expert policy advice and guidance to the government and national stakeholders on the design, implementation, and evaluation of national health policies for health system strengthening in order to move towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), through:

o 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 and focusing on priority areas of health financing, public health, primary care, health workforce and governance)
o 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.
o the transformation of health financing arrangements for universal health coverage, including improving governance and accountability.
o costing and budgeting of national health policies, strategies and plans (NHPSP) (including health-financing situation and macroeconomic analyses, identification of potential resources and costing of different scenarios).
o alignment of other critical system functions, such as human resources, accessible policies for medicines and technologies, and strengthened governance arrangements

o the improvement and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for health systems strengthening, agreeable to all stakeholders, with health targets for communicable and noncommunicable diseases, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
o best-in-class models and innovative approaches to evidence-informed health policy implementation and health systems strengthening to facilitate learning and capacity building in policy making at national level.

o the identification of synergies, building of alliances, alignment of, 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.

• Establish and strengthen links with institutions, associations and non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches.
• Demonstrate the impact of reforms on health outcomes and universal health coverage, by leading in-depth impact evaluations of health financing, public health, and primary care.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:  

Advanced university degree (master’s level) in public health, health systems/services
administration, health policy, health planning, primary health care, public health, health-related social sciences or similar disciplines.

Desirable:

PhD/doctoral degree in one or more of the above fields and/or post-graduate training or specialization in health systems and/or health planning, management, or health economics.

 Experience

Essential

A minimum of 10 years of work experience relevant to the position (such as in health-sector policy, strategy development and planning), a significant part of this to have been obtained at the international level. Specific experience required in health financing. A minimum of five 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

 Skills

Expert technical knowledge and skills in

o health policy formulation, strengthening and management.

o planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.

● Technical expertise required in

o the areas of primary-healthcare-based health systems, health systems transformation and reform.

o health-financing policy analysis for universal health coverage.

o planning, monitoring and evaluating health systems.

● Ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, projects and programmes

● Excellent skills to write reports and technical documents and deliver presentations for high level audiences.

● Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological and technical advice and guidance in health policy to multiple stakeholders and partners in countries.

● Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize and communicate complex health-policy concepts and ideas.

● Ability to plan, analyse data and design studies.

 WHO Competencies

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

1) Teamwork
2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3) Communication
4) Producing results. 
5) Technical expertise.

6) Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Arabic.

 

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. 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.

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line.   For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile on Stellis is updated; all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.  Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are not accessible. 

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. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates

 

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position: 

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost).
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to  the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Let us know by writing to recruitment@cinfo.ch. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility.
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here: Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.​