Senior Adviser

Contract

This is a P-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about P-6 contracts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Digital Health and Innovation sits within the Science Division, led by Chief Scientist. The overall mission of the Science Division is to harness the power of science and innovation in a systematic way, by ensuring the excellence, relevance and efficiency of WHO's core technical functions, including norms and standards and research. Within the Division, the specificpurpose of DHI is to harness the power of digital health and technologies to contribute to the attainment of the highest standard of health of all people.

The mandate of the department is structured around 4 functions:

1. To enhance WHO's global leadership and role in assessing and enabling digital health technologies, and support countries to make decisions about how to prioritize, integrate, implement and regulate them.

2. To support development of methods for assessment of digital technologies, at global and national level.

3. To identify, foster and scale up evidence-based innovations, to address gaps in UHC, health emergencies and healthier populations.

4. To identify and foster internal and external collaboration through networks and partnerships to help identify and address gaps and avenues for digital health solutions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Director, DHI the incumbent will provide strategic and high-level technical guidance to the department. Specifically, the incumbent will:

- Participate in the design and implementation roadmap of the Global Digital Health Strategy and the action plan.

- Guide the development of frameworks and tools needed to implement the Global Digital Health Strategy, including a dynamic digital maturity model, a digital health toolbox and a business case for digital health initiatives.

- Provide strategic input on the direction, priorities for the Digital Health and Innovation Department, in close coordination with various technical departments in HQ and Regions.

- Advise on the coordination and management of monitoring and evaluation functions as well as reporting on the Department's Key Performance Indicators(KPIs).

- Oversee the development and implementation of mechanisms to optimize performance of Department deliverables.

- Advise on high-level engagements in the digital health space, identifying key stakeholders and promoting WHO's distinct advantage.

- Serve as the scientific/technical reference among UN Agencies and the peer community on digital health and innovation.

- Build technical partnerships with other UN Agencies, Donors, research institutions and other stakeholders in digital health and innovation to position the technical area of work and implementation into respective policies.

- Represent the programme area of work global fora and capacity building activities.

- Perform other duties as required, at the request of the Director, DHI.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree (Masters level or above) in Medicine, Public Health or life science field. Desirable: PhD in Public Health Management, Social Science or related field, specialized training in epidemiology, health management, or public administration. Qualification in a field related to digital Health or biotechnology.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 15 years professional experience at senior managerial level with at least 10 years' experience managing and developing digital health solutions of which 5 years at the international level in multilateral, bilateral or other institutions. Experience in biotechnology or related areas, with exposure to a broad set of fields, such as biomedical data science, clinical medical practice, information technology, bioengineering, biochemistry, material science and artificial intelligence. Desirable: Experience in working for development programmes in developing countries. Experience working for a UN agency.

Skills

- Expert understanding of digital health, eHealth, TeleHealth issues and relevant international, networks.

- Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills, and experience in advocating and communicating with a broad and diverse audience.

- Concrete skills in conceptualizing strategies and public health policies and coordinate the development of such initiatives.

- Extensive knowledge in WHO or other UN agencies' governing mechanisms, procedures, planning and programme management.

- The ability to manage and adapt to complex and changing political, social, and economic contexts.

- Strong skills in diplomacy and political acumen.

- Profound understanding of how the three levels of WHO operate and broader understating of global health and commitments.

- Extensive skills in leadership and managing large diverse teams and financial resources.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Moving forward in a changing environment Promoting innovation and organizational learning

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 100,800 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 7896 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.