National Professional Officer (Health Systems Strengthening)
Coordinate health systems strengthening initiatives for effective public health services.
Overview
Coordinate health systems strengthening initiatives for effective public health services.
You have:
- A university degree (bachelor's or higher) in medicine, public health, economics, Health Systems Management, Health Services Management, or similar disciplines.
- A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in developing and/or implementing health systems strengthening related public health, capacity-building policies/strategies and programmes at the national level.
- Expert knowledge of English and local language
- Knowledge and skills in programme management, for the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of public-health action plans, programmes, and interventions.
- Knowledge and skills to coordinate public-health programme interventions, taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders.
- Excellent oral and written communication, including for reports, presentations and technical documents.
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
The Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) programme supports Solomon Islands in achieving Universal Health Coverage by building resilient, people-centered health systems that deliver integrated, quality services across the life course. The immediate strategic objective is to strengthen governance, financing, health workforce, and service delivery, ensuring equitable access to essential medicines and technologies, and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration to improve health outcomes and reduce preventable morbidity and mortality.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator, Health Systems and the Head of the WHO country office, and in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and other key stakeholders, the incumbent will perform the following:
- Coordinate delivery of technical and managerial advice in developing and implementing sustainable, multi-sectoral and integrated strategies, policies, plans and programmes across primary health care, health workforce, integrated health services, health systems governance and financing. - Support the development, implementation and monitoring of the HSS workplans. - Coordinate adaptation and implementation of evidence-based norms, standards, guidelines, and tools across the span of health systems strengthening. - Provide technical support in the multi-sectoral integration of programmes across the life course and mainstreaming health equity and inclusivity. - Coordinate the collection, analysis and documenting of best practices and partners' experiences in life course programmes, promoting national and subnational perspectives. - Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships and resource mobilization; and support the national authorities in grant implementation and reporting. - Develop Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to foster community awareness and health practice.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: A university degree (bachelor’s or higher) in medicine, public health, economics, Health Systems Management, Health Services Management, or similar disciplines
Desirable: Post-graduate training or specialization in one or more of the following disciplines: 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.
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: A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in developing and/or implementing health systems strengthening related public health, capacity-building policies/strategies and programmes at the national level. Professional experience providing technical services to Member States and other partners in public health programmes in resource-limited settings.
Desirable: - 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. - Experience working with national or provincial Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
Skills
-Knowledge and skills in programme management, for the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of public-health action plans, programmes, and interventions. -Knowledge and skills to coordinate public-health programme interventions, taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders. -Skills to work 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 for and represent national perspectives in life course programme management. -Knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in life course will be an advantage.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Moving forward in a changing environment
Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: who-enhanced-competence.pdf
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English and local language
REMUNERATION
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at SBD 223,740 (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.
- 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.
- 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 [email protected].
- 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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- Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online. For assessment of your application, please ensure that - your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated; - all required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided; - all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time; and - please note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are not accessible.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a project where you implemented health systems strengthening measures and what impact it had? | This question assesses your hands-on experience in health systems strengthening and its outcomes. | Provide specific examples that showcase your role, actions taken, and the results of the project. |
| How do you ensure that multiple stakeholder perspectives are considered in public health programmes? | The interviewer wants to know your approach to collaborative decision-making. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe your experience with monitoring and evaluating public health programmes. What methodologies have you used? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of how you advocated for public health policies effectively? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you utilize in resource mobilization for public health initiatives? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you integrate evidence-based practices into health programme implementation? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What challenges have you faced in working with government health authorities, and how did you overcome them? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Discuss a time you had to modify a health programme based on feedback from community stakeholders. What did you learn? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |