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 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.
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 centered, 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 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.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Under the leadership of the Head of WHO Country Office and supervision of the responsible Technical Officer within the Health Programmes division at the WCO, the incumbent will provide technical support and facilitate the implementation of country activities in the area of Health Policies, Governance and Partnerships Coordination from Kyiv Duty Station.
A certain level of independence in decision-making is envisaged once the probationary period has successfully passed, as the individual is to maintain regular contact with national and international counterparts and to represent organization in the regular follow-ups. In particular, the incumbent has to exercise judgement in adapting or modifying relevant WHO guidelines to the country context. Within the scope of duties and under the supervision of respective Technical Officer at the Health governance, partnerships and recovery unit, the incumbent will support cross-office coordination and alignment of activities, thus, a wide range of contacts within the organization is expected.
Under supervision and guidance of responsible Technical Officer, regular contacts are maintained with country health authorities (at own level of responsibilities) to provide and obtain necessary information, coordinate project implementation and support activities related to facilitation of the health sector coordination mechanisms.
Upon request from HWO, the incumbent can be expected to have contacts with counterparts in the country to represent WHO. Guiding documents for the work include the Biannual Collaborative Agreement; the European Health Policy – Health 2020; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); WHO’s e-Manual including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for WHO’ work in emergencies; WHO’s Staff Rules and Regulations.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Within the context of the WHO Country Office, the incumbent will support the growing need regarding development of health policies in scope of ongoing war emergency and post-war recovery planning, including involvement in health sector recovery dialogues, providing support function for international technical assistance coordination in health and engaging with national and local counterparts on health-related matters in light of implementing the health reform, responding to war consequences and post-war recovery planning.
Key duties will include:
1.Support the responsible technical officer with regular communication with Ministry of Health (MOH), Public Health Center, National Health Service of Ukraine and local health authorities regarding developing, implementing and evaluating health policies and plans, ensure integration of cross-sectoral topics, such as mental health and psychosocial support and others;
2.Support the MOH and other national health counterparts and subnational health authorities in conducting policy dialogues on health-related matters;
3.Support organization of working groups, roundtables, joint meetings (online, offline, hybrid) between WHO and national, subnational health authorities, international development partners on health policy, recovery and rebuilding topics;
4.Under supervision of the responsible Technical Officer, provide support function to the WR in facilitating partner and stakeholder coordination in the area of health sector development and recovery, ensuring minutes preparation and regular follow-up on activities;
5.Contribute to the preparation of written products (reports, discussion papers, technical notes) on health reform and recovery, including collecting relevant information from WCO and other relevant counterparts, contributing to organization of surveys and studies, providing inputs and reviewing the products, obtaining internal and external clearances and approvals;
6.Support the responsible technical officer in preparing the missions for WHO staff and external consultants addressing health strategy, recovery strategies, health dialogues in the country and public sector capacity building, as well provide appropriate support during missions and follow-up;
7.Contribute inputs to regular reports and updates on area of work to the country Office and to the Regional Office, as needed.
8.Provide support to cross-Divisional and intercountry activities as requested;
9.Provide assistance in other areas of the work of Country Office and CPS Division as needed.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education Qualifications
Essential: University degree (Bachelor’s level) in nursing, medicine, public health, public administration, social sciences 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 or local health strategies and health policies.
Desirable: Relevant experience in participating or organizing coordination structures, tools or events. Relevant experience with participating in the development of surveys and assessments, preparing reports, M&E frameworks, analytical products. Programme management experience in the area of public health, health reform. Relevant experience with(in) WHO, UN agency, national or international health organization.
Skills
Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of health or social strategies and policies in Ukraine. Demonstrated knowledge of the national health system, decentralization processes. Excellent computer skills, including a standard package of office applications.
WHO Competencies
1) Teamwork
2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3) Communication
4) Producing Results
5) Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Ukrainian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of any other Official WHO languages.
REMUNERATION
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 38,776 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
2. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
3. A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
4. In the event 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.
5.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.
6.Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and E-Manual.
7.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
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int
14. 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.
15. 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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