OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage.

It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development and implementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course.

The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights and gender mainstreaming in health.

It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health and social care services.

To do so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access so as to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology.

The WHO European Centre for Primary Care in Almaty, Kazakhstan is a European reference point on primary health care led health system policies with a focus on demonstrated country impact.

Building on the legacy of the Alma-Ata and Astana Declarations, the Center focuses on developing pragmatic and actionable policy recommendations to strengthen primary health care using amulti-disciplinary approach.

The Center contributes to all three pillars of the EPW and each of its four flagships. Itaims to inspire action at country level to move towards UHC by producing and disseminating state-of-the art evidence on effective models of primary healthcare within an overall integrated health systems approach.

The Center contributes to strengthening therole of primary health care in health emergencies including in the continued COVID-19 pandemic.

Finally, itcontributes to better health and well-being by strengthening primary healthcare to address upstream determinants of health through greater integration with public health services, and through stronger links to mental health, long-termcare, social services.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of the post is to support Member States and to foster political commitment to strengthening primary health care services within a comprehensive health systems approach to move towards universal health coverage, respond to health emergencies and improve health and well-being.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Office and in coordinationwith the Director of Country Health Policies and Systems Division, the incumbent will assume the following core responsibilities and tasks :

Core tasks for high quality country support and linking country work to regional products

Document country impact : the incumbent will put in place mechanisms to ensure that the Centercan document country impact in PHC strengthening, will engage with Technical Officers to strengthen country-level mechanisms in PHC performance monitoring and management, will developing a regional approach for PHC performance monitoring and analysis, develop regional performance analysis products documenting country impact, and link with other programs to ensure solid data collection and analysis, and ensure demonstration of impact including of WHO's contribution.

Core tasks for high quality regional and global products

Lead the Center's work on evidence generation. The incumbent will develop the Center'sstrategy on evidence generation (policy papers, country vignettes) - both interms of content areas and mechanisms to produce high quality and timely policyguidance and ensure its full implementation together with technical officers.

Core tasks in managementand coordination

Shape collaboration with networks and partners : Build technical partnerships with other UNAgencies, EU, OECD, key networks, donors, research institutions and other stakeholders in key areas to position the technical area of work andimplementation into respective policies and serve as the scientific / technical reference among UN Agencies and the peer community on primary health care.

Contribute to resource mobilization : the incumbent will work together with the Head of Office to develop resource plan for the Center and engage in resource mobilization efforts.

Other : The incumbent will assume deputy functions as Head of Office and perform any other duties asassigned by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential : Advanced university degree(Master's level) in medicine, public health, health policy, public administration, health management, other social or political sciences.

Professional qualification in primary health care.

Desirable : Post-graduate or doctoral degree in any of the above areas.

Experience

Essential : At least 10 years of professional experience with increasing responsibilities in the management and transformation of primary health care and public health, at practice, policy and international levels.

Demonstrated experience in any or several of the following areas : transforming PHC practices, leadership for primary health care policies, managing human and financial resources, developing, establishing and implementing policies and strategies, building partnerships and networks, resource mobilization.

Desirable : Demonstrated experience working with or in other multi and bilateral development agencies active in the health sector.

Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.

Skills

Demonstrated in-depth knowledge in designing and implementing primary health care reforms in the WHO European Region oriented to improving population health and well-being outcomes.

Solid understanding of core health systemfunctions related to primary health care reforms of governance, financing,human resources and digital solutions with applications to the countries of theWHO European Region.

Ability to identify, manage and regulate emotions, apply them to tasks, and helping others to do the same for building a respectful and safe working environment.

Demonstrated knowledge of the socio-demography, and political economies of the WHO European Region.

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Promoting innovation and organizational learning

Moving forward in a changing environment

Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential : Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable : Intermediate knowledge of Russian.

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 90,664 (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 2100 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.