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 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 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 Data and Digital Health (DDH) coordinates the digital health flagship and provides technical and policy guidance and expertise on the safety and efficacy of digital health solutions; and preserving health equity, gender equality, equity and human rights as core values in their deployment. Through its work it will support countries to leverage the use of digital technologies for improving the interface between people and health services; for improving health system performance; and for strengthening critical public health functions including disease surveillance, early warning and risk assessment. Furthermore, the unit is responsible for data collection, collation, analysis, presentation and dissemination. It will monitor and measure progress in achieving the SDGs and the triple billion goals whilst developing and implementing a measurement framework for the EPW. It will provide strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to countries to strengthen their capacity to be able to generate timely, credible, reliable and actionable data. The priority will be to strengthen health information systems in non-EU countries. The unit will engage with experts and partners both within and outside the Region to harness synergies, reduce data collection burden and fill important data gaps. It will seek to develop new approaches and methodologies including the use of big data to complement traditional methods for timely measurement and monitoring of health status and health system performance. It will also be responsible for ensuring timely and effective dissemination of health statistics to serve as a basis for planning and prioritization of activities in countries.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The purpose of the post is to provide specialist technical assistance on knowledge management, evidence and research to the Regional Adviser for Data and Digital Health and contribute as a DDH Unit team member towards the planning, coordination and implementation of its strategic goals and activities, including coordination of work with Member States, technical input to and monitoring of projects and support to resource mobilization.
Key duties:
Under the guidance of the Regional Adviser, DDH, the incumbent assumes the responsibility to achieve the following tasks:
- Provide technical guidance and support the coordination in implementing the EU action “Supporting Member States in the WHO European region in strengthening health information systems and boosting health data governance”.
- Provide technical assistance to Member States in strengthening country capacity in using evidence to policy and knowledge management to develop sound and informed health policies for the Organization and its Member States, as well as promoting country capacity and mechanisms for good research practice, such as related to ethics review and standards.
- Contribute to the development of tools and resources for national capacity on evidence and research for policymaking, strengthening inter alia by performing literature reviews and contributing to the writing process.
- Acts as a focal point for knowledge management and support for other technical units in the Regional Office and for Country Offices in identifying relevant tools, resources good practices and knowledge management policies.
- Supports the preparation of dissemination of publications and health information products on the website, as well as through social media by advising on the use of infographics and other measures to facilitate communication of health information within the European Region.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration in scientific, research and technical information production and knowledge sharing across the Organization, within WHO, with other UN organizations or with other partners; establish and maintain partnerships that promote and support such collaboration; provide technical assistance, when called upon, to institutions of WHO Europe Member States in the area of knowledge management, evidence and research for policymaking.
- Create and provide technical input to a network of Collaborating Centers on knowledge management, evidence and research for policymaking with the objective of identifying, analyzing and promoting good practices and synergies across different health topics.
- Provide technical assistance in other related work within the above areas, as relevant and needed by DDH.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in information science, public health or health sciences (or equivalent).
Desirable:
University degree (Master's level) in any of the above fields.
Specialization in information management systems, emergency information management and knowledge management.
Experience
Essential: At least 5 years of professional experience at national and international level in knowledge management, knowledge translation, health systems policy and/or health systems research.
Desirable:
Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.
Work experience in research-to-policy engagements, health systems political outreach, facilitation and analysis.
Skills
- Technical expertise in the application of knowledge management, evidence and research.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both internally and externally and engage with experts and stakeholders from different fields, including policymakers, researchers, civil society and the private sector. Proven strong analytical, research, presentation and report writing skills. Documented effective project, financial and planning management skills. Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others do the same. Ability to work comfortably in an international, multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment. Design and management of information systems. Demonstrated ability to design, manage and analyze complex information system projects, computer-based applications and databases, web-based tools.
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 4440 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.
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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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int
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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.
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*For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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