OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO supports countries to strengthen their health systems to progress towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC), the essence of which is universal access to a strong and resilient, people-centered health system, with primary care as its foundation. The overall objective of WHO Division of Universal Health Coverage through the Life-Course (UHL) is to provide global policy, programme, and technical and scientific leadership for universal health coverage and for a primary health care approach to its achievement, working in close partnership with WHO regional and country offices and other partners, working towards the ultimate goal of an additional one billion people accessing quality health services without experiencing financial hardship. Within the UHL division, the department of Health Financing and Economics (HFE) supports the development of health system financing policies and reforms within the context of national health plans and strategies, analyzes the costs and cost-effectiveness of alternative options, guides the tracking of health expenditures and the measurement of financial protection, and provides analysis of the links between the macroeconomic environment, health, and UHC progress. It provides technical support on the development of appropriate policies and strategies; develops methods, tools, standards to collect, evaluate and introduce relevant information and evidence into policy debate; builds databases and capacity to use this evidence and engages in partnerships with multilateral and bilateral organizations to help develop financing strategies and policies that help countries move closer to universal health coverage (where all people obtain the health services they need without financial hardship linked to paying for services), while concurrently promoting global and national health security and improved population health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Provides the overall leadership, management accountability, and direction of the Department of Health Financing and Economics in achieving the agreed outcomes and mandate, through managing and galvanizing a diverse workforce, while optimizing staff performance and utilization of financial resources, and demonstrating credibility, trust and value to Member States, donors and partners.
• Provides leadership, compelling vision and policy direction for health system financing arrangements and strategies to enable progress towards universal health coverage and contribute to global and national health security and population health, and for the provision and dissemination of the necessary tools, information and evidence to support this endeavor in the broader context of WHO’s global programs, taking into account the activities of other multilateral and bilateral agencies and partners.
• Provides leadership and guidance for the Department’s work on promoting efficiency, both technical and allocative and value for money, and guiding their translation into practice to support comprehensive, integrated national health plans, benefit packages and investment cases, and ensure consistency in the application of health economics methodology across the Organization.
• Provides leadership and guidance for the Department’s work on expenditure tracking and the monitoring of level and distribution of financial hardship arising from out-of-pocket health payments and drives WHO’s lead role and ongoing quality improvements in the production of related global databases that serve as global public goods for health financing.
• Provides leadership and guidance on the links between the economy and health, the macroeconomic environment facing countries, and the relationship between health and macroeconomic outcomes such as economic growth.
• Provides advice and expertise to Senior Management on issues related to health system financing policy and strategies, expenditure tracking, priority setting and health technology assessment, and costing, and their contribution to financial protection and equity in service use (universal health coverage), and the link between the economy and health.
• Ensures integration of Regional and Country Office perspectives and operational capacities, as well as those of other departments at HQ, into a joint WHO work programme and common approach.
• Builds and sustains global peer communities, and partnerships with major institutional interlocutors, such as other UN agencies, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, placing WHO within the center of leading policy activity, technical support and the creation and dissemination of tools, methods and information in health system financing and economics.
• Represents the Organization in a diverse array of global fora to position WHO as a leader in the health financing and economics within the global health community. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An advanced level university degree (master’s level or above) in health financing, health economics, economics, public policy, measurement-and-evaluation, or related field.

Desirable:

• Ph.D. in one of the above relevant disciplines (health financing, health economics, economics, public policy, measurement and evaluation), or in a related area.
• Formal training in economics and/or health financing or at least 10 years of applied experience in these areas.
• Training in public health, epidemiology, or statistical methods.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 15 years of extensive professional experience in the management and development of economics and health financing policies and programmes of which at least 7 years at the international level interacting with high-level officials (government, multilateral and bilateral agencies), scientists, and supporting ministries in assessing health system financing and economics questions and developing policy options.

Desirable:

• Recognized internationally as an expert in health systems financing and economics, demonstrated by an excellent publications record.
• Extensive experience of working in the international system and demonstrated knowledge of working in or with WHO.
• Experience working with civil society organizations.

Skills

• Expert knowledge of health systems and policy development, particularly in health system financing (e.g. health expenditure tracking, financial protection, public financial management, strategic purchasing, costing, cost-effectiveness, health technology assessment and benefit design, sustainability, and addressing fragmentation);
• Deep conceptual understanding of health systems, primary health care and the goals of universal health coverage, health security, and population health improvement;
• Deep conceptual understanding of the links between the macroeconomy, development, health, and equity;
• Proven leadership, managerial and team building and negotiating abilities;
• Ability to write clearly and articulately present on a broad range of issues while representing and promoting the Organization.
• Demonstrated capacity to interact with national and international authorities at a senior level.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Driving the Organization’s Position in Health Leadership
• 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: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 117,280 (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 8034 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 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.

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

• 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 for WHO jobs.

• 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.

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

• 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 the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates