National Professional Officer (Health Systems)

Contract

This is a NO-B 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 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about NO-B contracts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO operates, on the basis of the biannual programmes, within the framework of the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) for the Republic of Maldives, which reflects the medium-term vision for the WHO in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Maldives in support of its national health strategies, policies and priorities. The current WHO CCS is an evolving framework to reflect priorities of the current health sector reform in the Republic of Maldives as well as with the ongoing WHO reforms. Contribute to implementation of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with Government of Maldives by providing strategic and operational support in the effective management of health system issues. All the Member States of WHO South-East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of Medical Officer (Public Health) and overall guidance of WHO Representative to Maldives, the incumbent will have the following functions:

1. Assist and support the Ministry of Health (MOH)/Health Protection Agency (HPA) and other national counterparts in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of program budget work plan to contribute to Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals Particularly Goal 3.

2. Provide technical support to national health authorities in the following areas that will contribute towards increasing people's access to needed services and improving financial risk protection:

a. Development of national health sector policies, strategies and plans

b. Health financing policies and strategies

c. Organization and management of health services: with a focus on strengthening frontline services that are integrated, accessible, safe and of adequate quality

d. Health workforce development: development and implementation of strategies with a focus on transformative education and rural retention, linked to frontline service staffing needs

e. Improve access to safe, effective, affordable medicines, regulation of medical products.

f. Support the development and scaling up of Health Information Systems for measurement and accountability for progress towards UHC and results.

3. Provide support to the national authorities in health research assessment capacity building, training, and development of research priorities.

4. Provide technical support to Maldives Blood Services in implementing the national blood policy and ensure blood safety.

5. Technical support in any of the above areas may involve; situation analyses and performance assessments; different forms of capacity building for policy, planning and management, monitoring and evaluation related to more of the above areas of work.

6. Identify and implement new methods for enhancing technical capacity of the HPA and other stakeholders in the area of health systems.

7. Liaise and collaborate with other programmes in WCO Maldives, Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO) and WHO HQ; UN agencies, educational and research institutes, health care facilities, professional councils and associations, donors, civil society and international network on various health system components.

8. Assist in resource mobilization and/or funds identification for the development and implementation of HS programmes.

9. Promote best practices in health system and contribute to increasing public awareness of the WHO programme of cooperation with the Republic of Maldives.

10. Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree in health sciences or public health or community health or epidemiology or health systems management, or medical/social anthropology from a recognized university. Desirable: Post graduate training in any of the following areas: public health, health policy, planning and management, health information system development, health workforce education and management, medicines management would be an advantage.

Experience

Essential: At least two (2) years of experience in health systems strengthening, health policy, strategy and plan development Desirable: Experience of working in Government, WHO, UN and/or other international organizations or agencies.

Skills

• Knowledge of theories and principles of public health and health systems; health system assessments and how to address challenges identified; health systems development and management; epidemiological analysis and methodology; monitoring and evaluation.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly and concisely communicate complex issues.
• Skills in training and facilitation.
• The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with people of various cultural backgrounds with strong interpersonal skills.

Desirable: Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications and computer skills for making high quality technical presentations including data analysis

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Dhivehi.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at MVR 504,256 (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.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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.

• 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.