Health Systems Advisor, Participatory Governance & Policy Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO Guinea Bissau Country Office directs and coordinates the authority for health by supporting the Government in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national health policies,strategies and plans, setting norms and standards, improving knowledge dissemination and management, monitoring country health situation and building sustainable institutional capacity. The Country Office develops a two-way collaboration with the Government of Guinea Bissau to achieve universal health coverage, providing accessible, affordable and quality health services to all its citizens. 

This is in support of the Government efforts of achieving national health goals; of ensuring the attainment of UHC and of contributing to global and regional public health action by providing need-based technical assistance in national policy formulation, setting norms and standards,improving knowledge dissemination and management, monitoring country health situation and building sustainable institutional capacity, to play a greater leadership role in different national level policy and technical forums Within the framework of the Country Cooperation Strategy, the Health Systems and Services Cluster objective is to promote the UHC through strengthening primary healthcare. The Health Systems and Services Cluster provides technical and coordination support to the Government of Guinea Bissau for evidence-based feasible, sustainable, and equitable national health polices, strategies and plans toward universal health coverage.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Supports health policy development and health planning in the context of decentralized health system, including technical consultations and coordination with different stakeholders and partners from within and outside the health sector. Assist with regular reviews, assessment and evaluation of policies and plans including the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation frameworks for PHC, UHC and SDGs.3;

• Provides technical assistance in the design,implementation and monitoring/evaluation of health services delivery and management at multiple levels, with a strong focus on primary health care approach with effective referral systems, quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

• Provides technical support to country for the implementation of National Action Plan for Anti-microbial-resistance (AMR) and Essential Medicines and Medical Products program

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•  Assist the MoPH with effective engagement with non-state actors including the private sector in the national UHC agenda through strengthening of appropriate mechanisms (e.g., coordination,regulation, licensing, accreditation, etc.) 
• Support MoPH in its decision-making role across all levels through capacity building for strengthening results-based governance and performance of the health system including the use of information and management tools, including coordination of Technical Assistance to WHO/EU/GAVI/Global Funds/STBF initiatives to rollout Essential Public Health Functions through support INASA;
•  Support Sexual and Reproductive Health &Rights; support National Immunization Program and other Priority areas such as health information management and digital health; or other donor funded projects

•  Conducts capacity building, builds partnerships and plays a strong advocacy role. Actively secures opportunities to build partnerships across an extensive network of contacts, including donor partner sand national focal points. Presents technical briefings to ensure accurate and consistent delivery of corporate messages and WHO advice by team and programme staff;

•  Plans, organizes and coordinates the organization's technical cooperation program in the Country in the area of Integrated and People Centered Health Services and Primary Health Care, in close coordination with other technical teams, especially the Gender, Equity and Human Rights focal point to ensure equity in health outcomes and human rights-based approach in all our programming; 
• Supports Unit's activities along with those of other related areas of work in order to maximize resource utilization 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the functional supervisors.
   

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree in health-related science and a training in public health,community/family medicine, health systems /services administration, health management or health related field from an accredited/recognized institute

Desirable: Post graduate in Public health, health systems/services administration, health management or health related field.
 

Experience

Essential:A minimum of  five (5) years  of work experience relevant to the position ( in developing and/or implementing public health, capacity-building policies/strategies and programmes) at the national level. Demonstrated professional working at sub-national and /or country level; providing technical advice and services to sub-national and/or national counterparts, MOH and other partners on health programs in resource limited settings

Experience in major programs or activities related to health systems recovery and development, health services delivery in emergencies, extension of health care services to underserved populations/areas, and developing strategies to overcome barriers to accessing health care services, including essential medicines. Ability to interact effectively with multiple high-level stakeholders from government, development partners, etc

Desirable: Prior working experience in formulation of national, sub-national and systems policies, strategies, and plans at field level with WHO, other UN agency.
 

Skills

1) Demonstrated communication skills and ability to monitor and communicate progress in terms of process and results

2) Proven skills in policy development, planning,monitoring and evaluating health systems.

3) Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological, technical advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners in health sector reform and public administration reform.

4) Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize and communicate complex concepts and ideas verbally and in writing.

5)Demonstrated capacity to raise the profile of WHO in Guinea Bissau.
 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of Portuguese
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at XOF 24,617,000 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• 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 eManual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

• 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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