OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology. The Public Health Policy through the Life-course (PGH) unit supports the delivery of programmes and initiatives within countries by building capacity and capability for the development of public health policies and strategies throughout the life-course that are grounded in evidence and informed by social participation at national, regional, and local levels within countries. In line with the European Programme of Work, the unit focuses on supporting health authorities to strengthen their capacities in assessing and addressing concrete health challenges to build trust and improve transparency, accountability, and responsiveness within the health system. It works to strengthen leadership and effective engagement with other policy sectors and stakeholders, including civil society., The unit works in coordination with other divisions and country offices at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, to coordinate and support the National Health Strategy development process in countries The unit acts as the technical focus for sexual reproductive health, maternal, Neonatal, child and adolescent health as well as healthy ageing.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will advise and support European Member States on the development and implementation of national health policies and strategic health systems transformation policies through the life course to improve health outcomes in the region through an integrated approach, advocating the implementation of Universal Health Coverage, protecting people in health emergencies, and promoting health and well-being. To cultivate and strengthen strategic partnerships with relevant external partners and organizations. The incumbent leads and coordinates the policy and governance for public health policy through the life course team and facilitates timely implementation of all activities including budget and human resources oversight.

Key duties:

1. Core responsibilities in assisting Member States in relation to use of health strategies, public health and heath through life course:
2. Serve as the WHO EURO technical content expert and focal point in the area of public health policy through the life course; ensure technical coherence and be responsible for the overall timeliness and quality of all technical deliverables.
3. Contribute to the overall CPS Divisional and wider regional office objectives towards the implementation of the set deliverables emanating from the European Programme of Work;
4. Dialogue and advice to policy makers on national plans and policies to ensure that policies do not perpetuate social injustices and inequities nor increase inequalities in access to health and health services as well as in health outcomes; and that redefined responsibilities in health are shared in a coordinated and pluralistic manner across all stakeholders with clear lines of accountability and transparency.
5. Coordinate and support the development of evidence informed National health strategies in countries adapted to regional/country needs in and looking forward towards the attainment of the SDGs;
6. Strengthen the governance for Health; recommending that the health system is designed to adapt to changing needs and exerting influence across sectors other than health and advocating for better health, also by harnessing social participation;
7. Coordinate the provision of technical assistance and support in the areas of public health, sexual reproductive health, maternal, Neonatal, child and adolescent health as well as healthy ageing.
8. Establish, cultivate and strengthen strategic broad partnerships, and coordinate international and regional activities with relevant organizations and partners. Build and maintain strong partnerships with EC and EU institutions, UN institutions and civil society partners; prepare and develop project and programme funding proposals and support and participate in the WHO fundraising initiatives.
9. To lead the development of the technical and operational guidance; synthesize and disseminate related knowledge to build the evidence base for dissemination to Member States as required including producing authoritative and relevant policy papers, briefs and other publications on public health, sexual reproductive health, maternal, Neonatal, child and adolescent health as well as healthy ageing.
10. To coordinate the organization of conferences, events and policy dialogues at national, sub-regional and regional levels on related topics.
11. To perform the general management of the programme’s professional and general service staff, as first level supervisor (to include monitoring of workload, funds availability, performance management, and to establish mechanisms which ensure proper coordination within the team regarding travel, holidays), including, in liaison with the Head of Country Office, any technical programme staff based outside Copenhagen Manage financial and human resources in line with WHO policies and procedures;
12. To be responsible for effective and efficient implementation of projects and workplans and regularly monitor and assess the performance of workplans through evaluation and reporting;
13. Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Master’s level) in Medicine or Public health and/or a relevant health field.
Desirable: Doctorate in public health, social science, or epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: At least ten years’ working experience with increased responsibilities in the field of health policy, strategy development, project funding and international partnerships.
Desirable: Working experience with the UN system, in particular WHO, or other relevant international organizations or programmes. Relevant experience of at least 5 years in the WHO European Region would bean asset.

Skills

Excellent analytical, organizational and negotiation skills. Diplomatic and technical skills in negotiating with Ministries of Health, and other ministries. In-depth knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries of the European Region. Proven skills in leading scientific working groups, consensus building and development of policy guidelines. Knowledge of the WHO and UN structure and functions. Emotional awareness: the ability to identify and harness one’s emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one’s own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same. Moving forward in a fast-changing environment. Ability to work comfortably in fast-paced environment.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization’s Position in Health Leadership
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, German.

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 6082 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.

• 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].

• 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