Technical Officer (Health Service Management)

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 Health Workforce and Service Delivery unit provides strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to countries to improve access and quality for health and long-term care services delivered by a competent and sustainable workforce. It will engage 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, healthcare 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 will focus on supporting countries through the development of policies, strategies, tools and capacities in the areas of health workforce, (including nursing and midwifery and the public health workforce) to improve working conditions, retain and motivate the existing workforce; and align the education, training and production of the future workforce with population health needs, promote integration in service delivery to better bridge the divide between health systems and social care across the whole continuum of care, as well as supporting Member States efforts to put people at the centre of services .The Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for Romania was approved by the European Council to support the implementation of sustainable reforms. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is the national agency responsible for the implementation of the reforms related to health care. The Health component addresses Romania’s country-specific recommendation for improving healthcare access and cost-efficiency, including through the shift to outpatient care. It also focuses on strengthening the health system’s resilience, including in the areas of health workers and medical products, and improving access to health services.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide technical support on health services reforms in Member States of the WHO European Region, including the design of integrated health services, development of national frameworks and models for health service management, with a strong focus on the quality criteria in health management education programs.

Key duties:

• Provide technical and operational guidance on measures to improve health service management models at the country level, with a strong focus on international best practices and countries’ experiences.
• Assist with literature reviews, analysis of data, benchmarking of frameworks and quality criteria of health service management training programs, and models for healthcare workers’ continuous professional development (CPD).
• Provide technical assistance and support by preparing the agenda background documents and terms of reference as well as overseeing multidisciplinary country missions, technical assessments and reviews relating to policies, strategies and frameworks to improve health service management;
• Provide specialist technical input to the design and preparation of policy dialogues, and implementation support packages using a network of the strong national team and international experts;
• Manage the evidence base in health service management, through a synthesis of knowledge, developing country analysis in specialized topics and providing evidence to support decision making.
• Actively contribute towards building expert networks on health service management, in the professional and educational environment to improve the capacity and quality for health management and human resources in health, with a focus on Romania RRP reform.
• Develop collaborative activities with national stakeholders, networks and professional and academic organizations aimed at advancing the health service management agenda, with particular reference to facilitating the exchange of best practices and international comparisons.
• Provide technical and operational support for the high-level strategic work on health service operational management and reforms in the light of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Synergize activities and develop reports to update multidisciplinary team members/ or project manager/and workstream lead on related activities progress and communicate risk concerns.
• Perform other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operational management of activities planned to improve health service management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in health science such as, but not limited to, medicine, public health, health systems/service administration, public management or relevant field.
Desirable: Additional university degree (Master’s level) in one of the above fields.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of relevant national and international experience in technical areas related to the provision and organization of health services, with a focus on integrated care and health service management.
Desirable: Experience in supporting countries in designing and/or implementing health services reforms. Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.

Skills

Demonstrated broad knowledge of integrated care. Demonstrated knowledge of political systems, social and health systems in the WHO European countries. Demonstrated ability to interact appropriately with policy makers and other key health stakeholders. Strong skills in data management and analysis for reporting. Strong oral and written communication skills, including report writing. 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
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

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 64,121 (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 3815 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.

• 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 workforce . 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• 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. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

  Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

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

• 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 shws@who.int.
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