Health Systems Adviser at World Health Organization (WHO)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :

The Advisor provides technical advice and expertise for health policy review in general and health sector reforms strategies in particular, including the National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP). Provides technical expertise in the development and coordination processes both within the Health Sector; Sector Wide Approaches (SWAPs); International Health Partnerships (IHP) and other relevant coordination mechanism; United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and in broader development Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS); Universal Health Coverage (UHC); Millennium Development Goals and the health development agenda beyond 2015.

Description of duties:

• The Advisor takes lead and oversees the planning, implementations and monitoring of HSS programme; supervises and coordinates the health systems team/cluster at WHO country Office, and ensure close and effective collaboration with other WCO clusters as well as with other levels of WHO (IST/WA, AFRO and HQ);
• Provide technical expertise, and leadership in the formulation of Health systems policy and develop and implement innovative approaches to health sector reform enhancing the lead role of WHO;
• Support the Ministries of Health to realize multisectoral collaboration and partnerships in health systems policy development and reviews, and formulate effective health systems development strategies in order to enhance WHO's contribution to the NSHDP, PRS, MDGs, UNDAF and other related processes;
• Undertake in-depth health systems development analysis and policy dialogue based on specific national and regional policy issues, in close collaboration with the HSP Technical Unit and other relevant units within Health Systems and Innovations Cluster at both Regional and HQ level;
• Build multi-sectorial partnerships with programmes whose actions have an impact on health systems development, identifying health interventions and policy processes of common benefit and with shared challenges;
• Facilitate adaptation of WHO Regional and Global policies and guidelines on health systems development and build national capacities to enhance effective implementation.
• Promote a coordinated approach to Health systems development and management with a focus on: human resources for health (HRH policy and strategic planning, transformative health workforce education, equitable deployment, retention in underserved areas, HRH information etc); Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) ; health research development and evidence for health policy; integrated health services delivery and other relevant aspects related to health systems and innovation; with a focus on Universal Health Service coverage and within the context of Primary Health Care Revitalization.
• Facilitates effective integration of health systems components with priority health programmes (disease and non-disease programmes).

Education:

• Essential: Advance university degree in health systems management; health policy and planning, Public Health, Primary Health Care or related health/social sciences..
• Desirable: Good knowledge of health systems development, health policy analysis and development, partnerships and coordination mechanisms, health planning, human resources for health development and management; Ability to formulate and draft policies and briefing papers for use by MOH and the WR.

Skills:

• Ÿ Policy analysis, health planning, research and human resources for health;
• Ÿ Ability to lead and manage complex programmes;
• Ÿ Strong negotiations skills and ability to influence decisions;
• Ÿ Partnerships coordination and resource mobilization
• Ÿ Monitoring and evaluation;
• Ÿ Management and training skills;
• Ÿ Computer literacy in basic software programmes.

WHO competencies:

• Producing results;
• Communicating in a credible and effective way;
• Fostering integration and teamwork;
• Ensuring the effective use of resources;
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond;

Experience:

• Essential: At least 10 years of experience in the management of health systems in developing countries at national level and some 5 years at the international level.
• Desirable: Experience and knowledge of the work of WHO and other related UN agencies will be advantageous

Languages:

• Essential: Excellent knowledge of English
• Desirable: Knowledge of the other UN languages