Public Health Officer (Life Course)

Qualifications

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To support a strong WHO country presence that enables the development, implementation and evaluation of country cooperation strategies aligned with national health priorities, with a focus on strengthening health systems and improving equitable, quality service delivery through primary health care platforms. The position contributes to integrated, people-centred approaches that enhance access to essential health services, strengthen health financing, workforce capacity and governance, and advance universal health coverage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Coordinate and facilitate the delivery of technical and managerial advice to the government and national stakeholders in the development and implementation of sustainable,multisectoral and integrated strategies, policies, work programmes and plans under an integrated life-course and primary health care approach, promoting optimal outcomes across key programme areas including RMNCAH, school health, nutrition, WASH, health promotion and digital health, as well as Special Programme on Primary Health Care; health workforce; integrated health services; health systems governance and financing; sexual and reproductive health and research; maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health; and ageing.
• Develop and monitor work plans and budgets, track the implementation of planned activities in consultation with national counterparts, and identify bottlenecks and corrective actions to support timely and effective delivery.
• Provide, or coordinate the provision of, technical advice, strategies and policies to strengthen country capacity to design, implement, monitor and evaluate integrated life-course and primary health care programmes, including by strengthening health information systems and promoting the use of data for policy and programme decision-making across service delivery, systems financing, digital health, health promotion, school health, nutrition and WASH.
• Strengthen the collection, analysis and use of data through health information systems, routine monitoring and research activities to monitor the national burden of life-course conditions and related determinants, and to support evidence-informed policy and programme decision-making, planning, implementation and review.
• Facilitate the adaptation and implementation of evidence-based norms, standards, guidelines and tools to support integrated life-course programming and service delivery through primary health care platforms across the relevant programme areas.
• Guide the collection, analysis and documentation of country experiences, best practices and partner lessons across life-course programmes, anchored in national and subnational perspectives, to inform policy dialogue, programme improvement, capacity building and evidence-informed programming.
• Serve as a national and technical resource concerning the multi-sectoral integration of programmes in life course and mainstreaming of cross-cutting themes, such as health equity, and the elimination of exclusion. 
• Coordinate the development of information, education and communication (IEC) materials across various health areas mentioned for different audiences to foster community awareness and health practice in the life course area(s)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in medicine, health sciences, health administration, health services management, nursing, social sciences, development studies, or other similar disciplines from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A master’s degree or postgraduate qualification in any of the above mentioned fields.

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/ . 

Experience

Essential:

• At least five years of relevant experience in supporting the implementation of public health programmes at the national level, including the development and operationalization of policies, strategies and plans.
• Experience in implementing life-course or primary health care-related programmes in coordination with government counterparts and other stakeholders.
• Professional experience in providing technical advisory support to government counterparts and partners in the design, implementation and review of public health programmes in resource-limited settings.

Desirable:

• Relevant work experience with intergovernmental agencies, the United Nations System or WHO and knowledge of national partnerships and networks.
• Prior experience in implementing life course surveillance systems in stable and emergency situations, research proposals and interpreting life course data.
   

Skills

• Knowledge and skills in programme management, for the development and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of successful public-health action plans, programmes, and interventions in one or more life course areas, i.e., Special Programme on Primary Health Care; 

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  Health Workforce; Integrated Health Services; Health Systems Governance and Financing; Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research; Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health & Ageing.

• Knowledge, skills, and results in coordinating integrated, multi-sectoral, public-health programme interventions, taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in life course will be an advantage
• Skills to work effectively with national and international colleagues and partners in capacity building in resource-limited contexts.
• Excellent oral and written communication, including for reports, presentations and technical documents.
• Skills to advocate and communicate critical life course messages.
   

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:  who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English and local language.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 43,989 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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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