OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To lead and direct country support, country capacity strengthening and normative contributions in the use of governance and leadership, health financing, financial protection, and economics principles, concepts and techniques in: National health and sub-national policies, strategies and plans. Cross-support to health systems and programmes / interventions, health technology assessments.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of Director, Programme Management and supervision of Director, Department of UHC/Health Systems, the incumbent will:

General responsibilities:

1. Provide technical leadership in establishing evidence-based policies and strategies, and capacity building initiatives for implementation across the Region and Country Office workplans in health financing, financial protection and governance;
2. Provides health financing and governance technical expertise and advice to the Director and Senior Management in the context of the development and establishment of new health strategies and policies for implementation and/or the monitoring and evaluation of national and regional policies;
3. Ensures effective coordination and accountability of the workplan in delivering its objectives through efficient management of a diverse team of technical experts and financial resources and effective work plan coordination to optimize the workplan’s deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization;
4. Ensures the coordination and management of the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the Unit’s area of work, in line with key performance indicators and regional reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of the Unit deliverables;
5. Builds technical partnerships with other UN, multi-lateral and bilateral agencies, research institutions and other stakeholders in health financing and governance to position the technical area of work and implementation into respective policies;
6. Represent the programme area of work in regional fora and capacity building activities; and
7. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Specific responsibilities:

1. Identify opportunities at country and regional levels for expanding and applying the evidence base in:
   • Health financing: including specific content areas such as economics and health for all (in line with the Commission’s report and resolution), fiscal space, public financial management, the financing of public health services and programmes, strategic purchasing, and expenditure tracking (national health accounts).
   • Financial protection: including catastrophic and impoverishing expenditures and unmet need.
   • Health economics: including economic evaluation and analyses; equity and efficiency analyses and health technology assessment.
   • Governance: including national health policies, strategies and plans; social participation; private sector engagement, and accountability and transparency.
2. Guide the Unit’s work to operationalize WHO’s normative guidance on health financing, health economics and governance at country level, including through efforts to strengthen national capacities and periodic assessments of country progress towards UHC.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Post-graduate degree (Master’s or equivalent) in health financing, health economics, health systems, health policy, health planning, economics, or public policy.
Desirable: PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the management of work in health financing and governance, including experience providing senior level advice and guidance to Senior Management/Decision makers at national and international levels,managing human and financial resources, and experience in the area ofdeveloping and establishing policies and strategies for health financing andgovernance. In addition, demonstrated experience at the international level is required.
Desirable:

• Experience in health financing / governance / health systems analysis/health technology assessments/ research with a track record of publications in major journals in the field.
• Work experience in the South-East Asia region.
• Experience in organizing multi-country capacity building events (both virtual and face-to-face) and policy dialogues.
• Experience with WHO/UN or other multi/bi-lateral development agencies.

Skills

• Proven ability to advise on/formulate health policy, strategies and national plans as well as evaluate implementation of health development programmes.
• Extensive knowledge and skills in governance, health financing, financial protection, health technology assessments and health economics as reflected in a track record of support to national level policy makers and through a publications history.
• Demonstrated knowledge of health systems concepts and frameworks, and their application.
• Knowledge of the economic, social and political context in which health operates in countries of South-East Asia Region as well as globally.
• Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States, and partners.
• Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in governance and health financing.
• Excellent skills and ability in managing teams and financial resources.
• Ability to work and negotiate in a multi-cultural environment.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 92,731 (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 3609 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 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 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 shws@who.int.

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