Team Lead (Health Systems Governance)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the of the HSG Programme is to support Member States in the WHO African Region to establish appropriate governance structures and develop and implement policies, strategies and plans for strengthening their health systems and for implementing the primary health care approach towards universal health coverage. The Programme develops comprehensive and costed national health policies, and strategies that enable effective implementation of the PHC approach, and builds institutional capacities for effective health sector governance that contribute to improved accessto quality health services and financial risk protection, and for reforming health institutions. It also advocates for, and supports countries in institutionalizing inclusive, participatory and whole-of-society approaches that are accountable and transparent, including strengthening the capacity of the private sector andenhancing community engagement. The Programme also strengthens partnerships for the harmonization and alignment of actors and resources in the formulation and implementation of national actionplans for health security and national health strategies; and promotes and leads the coordination of strategic planning, reviews and evaluations across programmes in the UHC/LC Cluster and in collaboration with other clusters. The goal is to enable countries in the WHO African Region to ensure evidence-basedpolicies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high-quality, integrated, health services, increase the coverage and quality of effective interventions, and to create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies and interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

1. Provide vision and guidance for WHO’s work in Health Strategies and Governance in the African Region including, leading the HSG Programme and coordinate the development of regional HSG policies, strategies, programmes and activities in collaboration with other WHO technical clusters, and partners, in an integrated manner in the context of Universal Health Coverage, ensuring people-centred approaches across the life course to address the priority health problems of different population sub-groups;
2. Develop and manage the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of HSG workplans and budgets within the framework of WHO Staff Rules and Regulations, financial rules and AFRO accepted procedures, while promoting integration of similar intervention in the HSG Team;
3. Provide leadership to and manage the HSG staff under his/her responsibility; ensure their performance, continuous development and engagement, promoting a culture of working across boundaries, while promoting the principles of integrity, equity, value for money and a respectful workplace in accordance with the Organization’s policies, rules, procedures, and values;
4. Drive the team members’ collaboration with other clusters and programmes to ensure that HSG interventions are integrated in strategies on universal health coverage, primary health care, sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, and ageing, communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases programmes;
5. Oversee the provision of coordinated support for the adaptation and implementation of the WHO policies and strategies on health sector governance, and related service delivery models at primary care level, including the development of national protocols and guidelines for their integrated management;
6. Oversee the development and implementation of regional and country capacity-building policies, strategies and approaches towards the implementation of best practices on all aspects of health sector governance, including the development and implementation of costed national health sector development plans;
7. Facilitate the sourcing and provision of expert technical assistance to country HSG programmes, including promoting the use of technical resource networks and leveraging in-country institutional capacities to enhance sustainability;
8. Conduct high level advocacy and policy dialogue and establish/strengthen partnerships, including with academia, professional associations, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions, for the harmonization and alignment of actors and resources in the formulation and implementation of national action plans, as an integral part of strengthened and resilient national health systems, in order to improve health sector governance and structures at all levels;
9. In collaboration with the Assistant Regional Directors’ cluster, identify research needs and priorities aimed at improving health sector governance at country level, including promotion and strengthening of research capabilities, and support the addition of new knowledge and technologies into country health systems;
10. Oversee the collaborative and proactive support to countries in the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation policies and strategies to facilitate reporting on trends in health systems performance and on progress towards regional and national HSG targets, including promoting the dissemination of lessons learned and good practices;
11. Support the Cluster Director in communicating the achievements and results of the work of the HSG Programme; in collaboration with the Communication and Programme Budget Monitoring Units;
12. Facilitate resource mobilization for the UHC/LC Cluster by using innovative strategies for resource mobilization, targeting traditional and new donors in collaboration with other technical clusters, External Relations, Partnerships and Governing Bodies Team and WCOs;
13. Provide expertise and technical advice to the Regional Director, the Cluster Director and Senior Management in the areas of Health Strategies and Governance;
14. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced degree in Medicine with a graduate degree in public health or social sciences, or health policy planning and management.
Desirable: PhD in either public health or social sciences, or health policy planning and management; Post-graduatetraining in health systems development and global health.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience – at national and international levels – in health sector planning, with sound experience in management or technical assistance in a governmental institution or international organization. Experience required in resource-constrained countries in the field of health policies, strategies,and governance development.
Desirable: Experience in health sector assessments, analysis and report writing.

Skills

• Globally respected level of technical expertise and knowledge in public health- HSG, with broad, practical knowledge of related programmes, policies and strategies and their application in developing and developed countries;
• Demonstrated skills in health planning and management combined with expertise in health policy, strategies and governance as related to the implementation of Global Health Initiatives, and health systems and services strengthening at the regional and country levels;
• Extensive HSG-specificand programmatic knowledge of large-scale Public Health programmes, and integrated monitoring & evaluation approaches;
• Proven leadership skills in the planning, management, and coordination of a large, multidisciplinary, international, public-health programme, including the implementation of a public health/disease control programme;
• Excellent skills in using innovative strategies for resource mobilization and targeting traditional and new donors;
• Ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources;
• Strong capabilities in relationship building with core implementing partners and in developing strong working relationships in HSG within WHO teams and with other key partners;
• Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States, donors, country governments, partners, and media.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French with an intermediate knowledge of the other language.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 4003 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 [email protected].

• 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.

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