OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

TheDivision of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in theRegion with the design and implementation ofappropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal healthcoverage. 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. TheDivision 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, whilefostering leadership on equity, humanrights, and gendermainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacityfor health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high- qualityprimary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals,and mental health, public health, and socialcare services. To do so, CPS supportscountry efforts to facilitate accessso as to leave nobody behind, to improve financialprotection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake andimplementation of digital technology.The Data and DigitalHealth (DDH) coordinates the digital health flagship and provides technical andpolicy guidance and expertise on the safety and efficacy of digital healthsolutions; and preserving health equity, gender equality, equity and human rightsas core values in their deployment. Through its work it will support countriesto leverage the use of digital technologies for improving the interface betweenpeople and health services; for improving health system performance; and forstrengthening critical public health functions including disease surveillance,early warning and risk assessment. Furthermore, the unit is responsible fordata collection, collation, analysis, presentation and dissemination. It willmonitor and measure progress in achieving the SDGs and the triple billion goalswhilst developing and implementing a measurement framework for the EPW. It willprovide strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support tocountries to strengthen their capacity to be able to generate timely, credible,reliable and actionable data. The priority will be to strengthen healthinformation systems in non-EU countries. The unit will engage with experts andpartners both within and outside the Region to harness synergies, reduce datacollection burden and fill important data gaps. It will seek to develop newapproaches and methodologies including the use of big data to complementtraditional methods for timely measurement and monitoring of health status andhealth system performance. It will also be responsible for ensuring timely andeffective dissemination of health statistics to serve as a basis for planningand prioritization of activities in countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Toprovide senior technical leadership and oversight for the Data and Digitalhealth programme on the application of artificial intelligence supporting thetransformation of health systems and services in the European Region. Thisincludes raising awareness about the use of artificial intelligence in healthand its role and impact. To lead the project ‘development of a WHO EuropeanRegion Strategy on Artificial Intelligence for Health and Health Technologies’.Key duties:Under the guidanceof the Regional Adviser, DDH, the incumbentassumes the responsibility to achieve the followingtasks:Coordinate the project ‘development of a WHO European Region Strategy onArtificial Intelligence for Health and Health Technologies’;Lead the development of policies and guidelines related to the ethicaland responsible use of AI in health, in alignment with WHO’s strategicobjectives;Provides expert and specialized advice and technical leadership onattainment of programme objectives and execution options, developing concreteproposals and implementation plans for concrete actions. Develops and integrates contributions from across the organization forimplementing approaches for strengthening health systems and public health inMember States through the implementation of appropriate digital technologies;Provide technical assistance and support to countries in developingtheir own AI strategies and frameworks for health;Conduct research and analysis on emerging trends, opportunities, andchallenges in the field of AI and health to inform policy development;Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, includinggovernments, academia, industry partners, and civil society organizations, togather input and build consensus on AI policy priorities;Develop and deliver training programs, workshops, and capacity-buildinginitiatives to enhance understanding of AI technologies among WHO staff andmember states;Establish mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of AI policiesand assessing their impact on health outcomes, equity, and human rights;Continuously evaluate policy effectiveness and recommend adjustments orrevisions as needed based on emerging evidence and best practices;Contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and good practices relatedto AI and health through publications, presentations, and knowledge-sharingplatforms;Provide technical assistance in other relatedwork within the above areas, as relevant and needed by DDH.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Master’s level) in publichealth, computer science, engineering, mathematics, law, or a related field.
Desirable: Additional university degree in any of the above fields or training in artificialintelligence, data science,health informatics.

Experience

Essential: Atleast 7 years of relevant professional experience with artificial intelligenceprojects and/or delivered data science in health services.Experienceassessing or developing conceptual frameworks and/or policy proposals for datascience and/or artificial intelligence. Experiencein advising on technical implementation of artificial intelligence and/or datascience in the area of health systems.
Desirable: Relevant experience within WHO, theUnited Nations or other international organizations.Work experience in research-to-policy engagements, health systems politicaloutreach, facilitation and analysis.

Skills

1.Proven skills in the design and implementation of artificial intelligenceprojects and initiatives.2.Proven skills in strengthening and innovation of public health functionsthrough artificial intelligence.3.Proven skills in health systems innovation and strengthening, health servicedelivery, digitalization of health systems and policy development at countrylevel4.Proven ability to provide sound policy and technical advice to institutions andgovernments on artificial intelligence for health.5. Knowledgeof Project management frameworks and methodologies, process reengineering, andinnovationpractices is required.7.Knowledge of standard text, spreadsheet and presentation software applicationsrequired.8. Abilityto work comfortably in an international, multi-disciplinary, fast-pacedenvironment.9. Ability toidentify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others do thesame.

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,Germa.

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 77,326 (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 5220 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates