Technical Officer (Health Workforce Policy)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Health Policy and Service Design (HPS) supports Member States to develop and implement policies, strategies, and plans and service delivery design, including primary health care, to strengthen governance, financing, health workforce in order to ensure access to needed promotive, preventative, curative, rehabilitative and palliative services without financial hardship.

To design, promote and implement activities aimed at advancing progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Member States of the Western Pacific Region through better planning and management of the health workforce policies and its implementation.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Develops and proposes innovative technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the health workforce for strengthening and improving technical capacity of target clienteles.
• Manages the subunit area of work in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a small team of technical staff, to optimize the programme’s deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
• Develops and monitors work plans and budgets for the team’s activities and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.
• Analyses data and information on best practices in implementing sustainable public health programmes and disseminates information.
• Manages research activities and the implementation of the subunit’s activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
• Conducts monitoring and evaluation of the specific field of work and conducts timely reporting for decision makers.
• Provides technical guidance and works closely with counterparts in technical departments across the Organization and liaises with counterparts in partner UN Agencies, Donors and other stakeholders to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to Public health and the facilitation of successful implementation of national and/or global health programmes.
• Upon delegation represent WHO at various meetings.
• Provide technical advice and support to Member States in the development of evidence-informed health workforce policies, strategies and plans in support of primary health care and universal health coverage.
• Provide technical support to Member States to strengthen the availability and use of health workforce data to analyze the health workforce situation through the tools and guidance, including National Health Workforce Accounts (NHWA), Workload
  Indicator of Staffing Needs Analysis (WISN) and Health Labour Market Analysis (HLMA).
• Provide technical advice to Member States to strengthen health professional education and regulation – through curricula reforms, establishment of quality assurance mechanisms and continuing professional development, support to build institutional capacity – to prepare a health workforce with required competencies to address evolving individual and population health needs.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in health science, social science, or similar field from a recognized university.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields. Additional qualifications in health workforce management and service planning.

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/ .

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the management of health services, related to the development of Human Resources for Health (HRH) policies and strategies in the context of public health or social development, including experience in the development of health policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources. With relevant international exposure, especially in low and middle-income countries.
Desirable: A working knowledge of WHO systems or working experience in countries in the Western Pacific Region.

Skills

• Sound skills in the management of public health programmes, which may include the implementation of public health/disease control programmes.
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies
• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.
• Good skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
• Capacity to plan and conduct operational activities with political and technical elements.
• Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken 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 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 3183 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.

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