Research Assistance - Health Systems Strengthening and Universal Health Coverage

Contract

This is a UNV National University contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National University contracts.

The WHO Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Partnership is an integral component of WHO's mission to ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare without financial hardship. Through its Global and regional platforms, the UHC Partnership supports Member States in advancing towards universal health coverage by strengthening health systems and promoting equitable access to essential health services. This comprehensive approach spans from financial health protection to efficient service delivery and comprehensive health needs coverage, with a focus on building and enhancing country capacity at every stage of the health system.

Within the framework of WHO's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Partnership, the WHO Country Office is dedicated to assisting Member States, including North Macedonia, in shaping their health policies according to WHO's principles and values. This UNV assignment is an integral part of WHO's support to North Macedonia to strengthen its health system to ensure equitable access to health services for all citizens without financial hardship. At the core of these efforts lies the development of PHC, underpinned by robust health policies and governance frameworks, efficient health service delivery mechanisms, and effective financial protection measures.

In alignment with these objectives, the WHO Country Office in North Macedonia is expanding its team by recruiting UNV research assistants. These assistants will play a vital role in supporting the development of country health policies and coordinating activities geared towards strengthening PHC and advancing UHC. Their responsibilities include engaging with diverse stakeholders to foster collaboration in health system strengthening efforts and ensuring that policies and interventions are based on comprehensive data and analysis.

Under the overall supervision of WHO Representative, and with technical guidance from WHO North Macedonia team for health system strengthening (HSS) and universal health coverage (UHC), the UN Volunteer will provide technical support and facilitate the activities of WHO in support of the Ministry of Health. He / she will collaborate with national partners to carry out effective HSS and UHC-related assessments, plans, and evaluation activities. In addition, the UN Volunteer is expected to work in close collaboration with other experts in the field, and other UN agencies.

Specifically, he / she will be responsible for technical support in:
• Conduct literature reviews and support ongoing research activities on topics related to HSS, UHC and primary health care (PHC); • Assist in analyzing policy documents, WHO reports, and international case studies to understand health system models and health policy frameworks; • Assist in summarizing key findings from literature reviews and research studies; • Compile and organize research findings into coherent reports or presentations; • Assist in preparing materials, agendas, and presentations for research-related activities; • Prepare draft reports, presentations, policy briefs or other written materials for publication or dissemination; • Support coordination of meetings, workshops, or events related to research projects; • Collaborate with team members to ensure smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks; • Perform any other task assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management • Technological Awareness • Working in Teams

and or strong interest in science and research, health sciences, public health, social sciences, international studies or other relevant programmes; experience with working in teams is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Experience in data analysis and interpretation, • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in systems thinking, health systems and health policy, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system

The UN Volunteer will be based in Skopje. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging her/his own housing and other living essentials.

Please see the summary of UN Volunteer entitlements below. For further information, kindly review “UN Volunteers Unified Conditions of Service” document.

UNV entitlements for National UN University Volunteer: • Volunteer Living Allowance-VLA (per month): approximately EUR 708 • Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 • Exit allowance (per month): EUR 98.34 (when successful completion of the assignment) • Health, dental, life and disability insurance: Cigna Private Insurance • Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month • Free access to the different learning platforms and UNV network