Liaison Officer

Contract

This is a NO-C contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about NO-C contracts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the General Programme of Work. The 13th General Programme of Work (GPW) defines the mission of WHO as one to promote health, to keep the world safe, and to protect the vulnerable. The GPW calls for heightened accountability, prioritising impact and outcome at country level, and to improve the lives of three billion people, through universal health coverage, through addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations.

WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions:

(i) providing leadership on global health matters;

(ii) shaping the health research agenda;

(iii) setting norms and standards;

(iv) articulating evidence-based policy options;

(v) providing technical support to countries;

and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.

The European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out.

The objective of WHO's presence in countries, territories and areas is to develop a two-way collaboration between the Secretariat and national relevant stakeholders; of supporting their efforts of achieving national health goals; of ensuring the attainment of universal health coverage and of contributing to global and regional public health action when and where required. WHO provides guidance and technical support in organizing the humanitarian health response and in revitalizing the capacity of the health sector to rebuild and recover from emergencies in appropriate and sustainable ways.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Through a close liaison between the Ministry of Health and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, facilitate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Organization's programme in the country, including the Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA). The incumbent coordinate's WHO's work with health development and UN System partners in the country, contributing to the achievement of national health objectives and commitments.

Key duties:

1. As Liaison Officer between the Ministry of health and the WHO Regional Office, the incumbent assumes the coordination and oversight of WHO activities in the country through the relevant managerial processes and responsibilities, as well as administration of partnership activities.

2. Establish and sustain partnerships with relevant national health stakeholders, and contribute to certifying the correct high technical quality, policy relevant and timely implementation of all activities carried out under the donor financed initiatives or in agreed partnerships at national level. Act as a neutral broker and facilitate multisectoral policy dialogue between national authorities, WHO Regional Office, the local donor community and other local partners, on health and development policies.

3. Support the implementation of WHO activities with a special focus on using the European Program of Work its approaches and flagship initiatives, as well as the GPW13. This includes providing support to the Ministry of Health and other sectors in activities which include developing, implementing and evaluating national policies and strategies that help to improve health system performance, inter-sectorial action for health and wellbeing with the involvement of stakeholders and actors at national, sub-national and sub-regional level.

4. Provide health leadership technical assistance and policy advice at national level on priority issues such as: strengthening health systems, public health functions, emergency preparedness, surveillance and response; implementation of strategies and interventions to address the health burden of communicable diseases, the environment and non-communicable diseases across the life-course as well as on the implementation of the SDGs with a specific focus on SDG 3 and its targets.

5. Provide support to national authorities and counterparts in the application of WHO tools and guidelines for the improvement of health information and collation of information, data analysis, and preparation of regular and timely briefings, reports, or situation analysis.

6. Oversee the day to day running and operations of the Country Office ensuring that work is carried out within WHO rules, regulations and accepted standards. 7. Link with institutions, associations and non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches. Liaise with key stakeholders and partners and seek to expand partnership for health in all policies.

8. Contribute in mobilizing support and resources for health and advocate for health to be considered as an integral part of national development and aid cooperation.

9. Ensure visibility of and promote WHO's work by means of networking and partnerships with relevant health communications stakeholders (e.g. media, civil society, government and non-government communications experts from other agencies, etc.).

10. Assist in preparations of missions to the field and support consultants or on missions to neighbouring Member States.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, public health, social, political sciences, economics or relevant areas. Desirable: Master's degree in one of the above fields

Experience

Essential: At least five 5 years of demonstrated experience at country level providing technical and managerial support and policy advice in any of the following areas: strengthening health systems, public health functions, emergency preparedness, surveillance and response; implementation of strategies and interventions to address the health burden of communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and the environment. Demonstrated experience coordinating activities with partners, stakeholders and donors in the areas public health, health systems or international development.

Desirable: Experience working with international organizations, WHO, or the UN in delivering policy advice and technical support to countries.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of WHO policies and programmes. Demonstrated ability in working with government officials, stakeholders, health actors, civil society and other networks in the area of public health.Demonstrated advocacy skills. Analytical skills and demonstrated knowledge on health system analysis.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Local language.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian or German.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at HRK 269,749 (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 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.

• 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.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

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

• 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.