Jobs - 94993- Health Policy Officer (WHO)

Health Policy Officer (WHO)

Location :

Kyiv, UKRAINE

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Nov-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-B

Duration of Initial Contract :

2 years

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right.

All of WHO's actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying value of equity as described in the General Programme of Work.

The 13th General Programme of Work defines the mission of WHO as one to promote health, to keep the world safe, and to protect the vulnerable. The GPW calls for heightened accountability, prioritizing impact and outcome at country level, and to improve the lives of three billion people, through universal health coverage, through addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations.

WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (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 European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out.

The WHO Country Office supports the Member State to shape its health policy in line with WHO's principles and values and advocates for an integrated approach to health development. By means of a single, unified and functionally integrated country representation, WHO facilitates the implementation of the BCA with the Member State and its corresponding country work plan. WHO helps the country to improve its health system and provides technical support as necessary.

The WHO Country Office administers, consolidates, manages and enhances WHO collaboration in the country including all resources deployed in the country either permanently or temporarily to maximize WHO impact. The Country Office also has a representational, fund-raising and resource steering function, as needed. The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems aims to assist countries in the Region to design, establish and implement appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen Universal Health Coverage in the Region. By fostering inter-programmatic collaboration and jointly delivering against WHO's Global Programme of Work (GPW), European Programme of Work (EPW), Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators, and the triple billion goals more effectively and efficiently, the Division focuses on assisting Member States to:

--> Enrich the evidence base for policy design and interventions, including through EURO's publications programme.

--> Achieve Universal Health Coverage by strengthening national, regional and local health policies, public health and the health system pillars in line with WHO strategies and policies and SDGs.

--> Strengthen health system investment to adopt and implement policies that promote health, prevent illness and facilitate access to quality health services, by ensuring an inclusive approach across the life course.

--> Build capacity for health systems innovation.

--> Provide high-quality, integrated, people-centred health services, based on primary health care strategies.

--> Promote health across the life course, particularly focusing on (1) child and adolescent health; (2) sexual and reproductive health, including making pregnancy safer and women's health; (3) healthy aging, disability and long-term care; and (4) mental health.

--> Ensure effective health governance and financing.

--> Strengthen the health workforce. Develop frameworks which increase access to affordable medicines and technologies and promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology.

Duties and Responsibilities

To provide technical assistance in the area of health strategy and health policy to the health authorities and institutions within the framework of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement.

Key duties:

1. Support the Ministry of Health (MOH), Public Health Center, National Health service of Ukraine and other national partners in developing, implementing and evaluating national health strategy and/or policy at national and subnational levels;

2. Support the MOH in updating and adapting relevant guidelines and tools on health strategy/policy implementation;

3. Coordinate together with MOH counterparts joint actions such as working groups, roundtables, meetings to facilitate policy dialogue and the health strategy implementation at national and subnational levels, and document experience for later review;

4. Coordinate and support the monitoring of the strategy / policy implementation, as well measuring impact of the strategy to population health;

5. Support MOH and other public agencies in performing training needs assessments and organizing and implementing training activities related to health systems and governance;

6. Facilitate and support upwards policy dialogue including involvement of Parliament, other sectors and stakeholders on key health matters in health policy;

7. Analyze and provide advice on governance and health matters, and relations between national health strategy/policy and other strategic documents as well developments;

8. Prepare the missions for WHO staff and external consultants addressing health strategy in the country and public sector capacity building, as well provide appropriate support during missions and follow-up;

9. Undertake jointly with MOH counterparts regular monitoring of the implementation of BCA and facilitate smooth information flow of BCA activities between MOH and other involved institutions through sharing of reports, arranging meetings, etc.;

10. Prepare regular reports and updates on area of work to the country Office and to the Regional Office, as needed.

11. Facilitate partner and stakeholder coordination in the area of health policies and strategies;

12. Explore opportunities for fund raising for the area of health strategy development, monitoring and implementation;

13. Provide support to cross-Divisional and intercountry activities as requested;

14. Provide assistance in other areas of the work of Country Office and CPS Division as needed.

Competencies

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in nursing, medicine, microbiology, epidemiology, public health or related area of study.
Desirable: Master's degree in any of the above mentioned areas.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of relevant work experience in the area of national health strategies and health policies.
Desirable: Programme Management experience in the area of public health. Relevant experience with(in) WHO, UN agency or international organization.

Skills

Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of health related stragegies and policies in Ukraine. Demonstrated knowledge of the national health system. Excellent computer skills, including a standard package of office applications.

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Russian. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 35,147 (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 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.
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.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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.

For full and detailed vacancy notice please access: https://www.who.int/careers/en/

Closing date for applications: 10 November 2020

Vacancy Notice No: 2004243