.Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective:

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 centred, 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.

The Health Workforce and Service Delivery Unit (HWD) provides strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to countries to improve access and quality health services, including   palliative care services delivered by a competent and sustainable workforce. HWD unit engages with professional bodies and patients to support the design and transformation of services which are geared to improve: patient experience of care across the health and social sector; health of the population, health care efficiency and the experience and engagement of the health and care workforce. In order to deliver these objectives, aligned with the European Programme of Work and GPW 13, the unit focuses on supporting countries through the development of policies, strategies, tools and capacities in the areas of health workforce, (including rehabilitation, assistive technology, nursing and midwifery and the public health workforce) to improve working conditions, retain and motivate the existing workforce in line with action areas as outlined in the ‘Health and care workforce: a time to act’ report [2022].

Summary of Assigned Duties:

The purpose of this post is to lead and contribute to the WHO/ EUROPE work programme on palliative care and as an integral member of the Health Workforce and Service Delivery (HWD) team.  Technical work will include review of evidence, mapping and assessing models of palliative care provision, and implementation of technical support to Member States on all aspects of palliative care.

Key duties:

1. Support member states in strengthening palliative care across the life course. The Technical Officer will lead the programme under the supervision or HWD Regional Adviser. He/She will also design and implement activities that seek to expand the integration of palliative care services into the national health planning, 
2. Develop technical and operational guidance on palliative care services in line with advancing universal health coverage and promoting health and well-being as set out in the EPW and work to disseminate such resources. 
3. Develop a framework for action on Palliative Care in the WHO European Region. 
4. Implement a WHO European Palliative Care mapping project inclusive of models of care and in consultation with member states. 
5.  Support the development of country palliative care assessments and build regional evidence on data on palliative care, including palliative care indicators; and develop effective partnerships and networks in support of palliative care vision objectives; and oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of donor funded projects in the region; 
6. Promote, advocate for building effective partnerships to promote research activities in the areas of palliative care and lead the technical work undertaken with Collaborative Centres.   
7. Provide technical and operational support to Member States in strengthening palliative care services. 
8.  Build country capacity for the design and implementation of quality services in the areas of palliative services. 
9.  Design and implement a resource mobilisation plan and mobilise resources in order to increase investment in palliative care technical work in the region. 
10. Perform other duties as assigned. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree (Master’s level) in Public Health, Palliative Care, Nursing, Management or related discipline.

Desirable: Additional university degree in any of the above fields.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of professional experience at national level, of which minimum 3 years at the international level in planning, implementing and evaluating programmes in palliative care.

Demonstrated experience in implementing or advising health or governmental institutions, NGOs, on palliative care in low-, middle- and high-income member states.

Desirable: Experience working with WHO or other multi development agencies active in the palliative care sector. Professional experience working in countries within the WHO European Region. Experience contributing to the development of country programmes, as well as to the production of training materials.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. 
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of UN languages (French, Russian and/or German).

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of public health from both a national and international perspective.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the main normative and political initiatives at the global and country level that provide evidence and guidance of strengthening palliative care.
• Good understanding of main prospects and challenges related to strengthening palliative care both at a country and global levels.
• Excellent partner management skills.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Ability to synthesize knowledge and effectively express ideas in writing;
• Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings and excellent inter-personal skills.
• Strong computer skills (word processing, Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentations.
• Emotional intelligence; Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

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

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 5355 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.
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  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.
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• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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