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 WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options;(v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020-2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens’ expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of the post is to actively support the country work and BCA (Biennial Collaborative Agreement) through the implementation of the core and project related activities, including preparatory processes and gathering background information from country, supporting missions and other means to deliver results, follow-up on agreements, changes and developments and actively participate in WHO related country level activities. This is within the overall vision of outlined in the European Programme of Work (EPW) and in the Global Programme of Work (GPW13).

Key duties:

1. To support the effective implementation of WHO activities related to strengthening the stewardship, health financing, service delivery functions of the health system, as programmed in the Biannual Collaborative Agreement (BCA), including activities on health sector coordination financed through various donor agreements. 2.
2. To organize or assist in receiving, giving functional shelter, channelling and supporting all types of WHO presence, visits and missions in the country.
3. To support and contribute to identification of areas for collaboration with the country, capacity building needs, priority health areas to be addressed by the BCA and projects, and to provide relevant technical support in health system strengthening, health sector coordination and intersectoral issues for health (in collaboration with colleagues as needed).
4. To collect information, analyse, prepare and contribute in a regular and timely manner to various types of materials, reports and situation analyses related to health system and coordination needs in the country (both at Country Office and Regional Office level).
5. To assist and contribute in certifying the correct, high technical quality, policy relevant and timely implementation of all tasks and activities carried out under the donor financed initiatives or in agreed partnerships with partners at country level.
6. To support Ministry and other partners in developing, implementing and evaluating national strategies and policies on improving health system performance and health sector coordination through sector wide approaches both at national and sub-national level.
7. To prepare and contribute to the missions of WHO staff and external consultants addressing specialized programme areas, addressed by the Project and monitor and follow-up their recommendations.
8. To link with institutions and associations concerned with health sector development, including non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies for exchange of information in evaluation of health system’s performance and coordination of activities, including the implementation of sector wide approaches.
9. To support the project implementation team and the other staff in the country office in their development and back them up when needed, to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation of BCA and other projects.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor’s level) in medicine, public health, social and political sciences or economics.
Desirable: Master’s degree or postgraduate training in any of the above fields.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of national work experience in project management in public health, health systems and / or international development.
Desirable: Relevant work experience with (in) international institutions or organizations delivering policy advice and support to member states.

Skills

Analytical skills and demonstrated knowledge on how to perform health systems analysis. Demonstrated knowledge of the political, social and health systems context at country level. Ability to work within significant uncertainties, as well as availability for frequent operational travel around the country. Emotional intelligence; Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same. Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Local Language.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Russian.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at MDL 608,091 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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].

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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