National Professional Officer (Integrated Health Services), NO-C

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

WHO-India collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within theframework of the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans of national and sub-national health systems in ways that will increase access to health care, strengthen health systems, advance universal health coverage and therefore progress towards the health sustainable development goals (SDG). Our work on PHC is guided by the strategic directions articulated in the WHO PHC Operational Framework for UHC and the SDGs, namely: 1. Integrated health services with an emphasis on primary health care and essential public health functions. 2. Multisectoral policy and action. 3. Empowered people and communities.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

All the Member States of WHO in the South East Asia Region (SEAR) 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 (6) leadership priorities, specifically: (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health. The South-East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India's population of 1.4 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Thailand), 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.

Mission ofthe WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.4 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for UHC.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative and Deputy Representative to India and the direct supervision of Team Leader (Health Systems), the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

1. Provide policy advice and technical support to MoHFW, states and UTs for strengthening their PHC approaches towards increased access to people-centered services, improved resilience in the event of emergencies and reduced health inequities;

2. Lead the expansion of WHO's decentralized technical support for PHC and HSS to states/UTs, introduce innovative interventions, track progress and promote a One WCO integrated approach;

3. Supervise, guide and mentor a team of Health Systems Officers (HSOs) and District Health Coordinators (DHC) on policy, programmatic and operational aspects of the broad bandwidth of Universal Health Coverage and integrated, comprehensive, people-centered health care services, including building their capacity in policy dialogue and communication;

4. Advocate for and facilitate stakeholder engagement for health systems strengthening based on PHC with functional linkages to secondary and higher technical levels of care as part of accelerated efforts towards UHC and SDGs;

5. Contribute to knowledge generation and sharing including operational research and documentation of best practices which capture different aspects of an integrated, PHC-based, people-centered and gender, equity and rights (GER) orientated health system;

6. Collaborate and coordinate with the technical teams of WHO India to ensure integration of various public health programs and embedding of PHC principles into all public health and disease control programs; and

7. Perform any other related duty assigned by the supervisor(s).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medicine or related health field from a recognized institution. Desirable: Post graduate degree (at master or diploma level) in public health or related field and a combination of training and experience in specialized sub-fields of public health and health policy, including community participation and socio-economic determinants of health.

Experience

Essential: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience at national/state level in health policy, planning, monitoring and implementation. Desirable: Experience of working in the public health service on health policy, planning and management.

Skills

• The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization.
• Thorough knowledge of the situation of Health System in India with regard to the health care, access and protection.
• Good understanding of global and national commitments towards Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas.
• Good knowledge of the administrative functioning of government institutions and related departments/agencies and ofthe other partners in India.
• Sound technical and policy advisory skills,based on evidence.
• Public health leadership skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and international levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical issues.
• Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors.
• Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and the ability to move forward and adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex and changing environment.
• Modern management skills (planning and evaluation, etc.).
• Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare, monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements.
• Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly.
• Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports.
• Knowledge of WHO /UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Fluency in at least one other major Indian language, preferably Hindi.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at INR 3,454,746 (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.