Regional Adviser, Research Policy and Cooperation Grade: P5

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : -To promote and strengthen a culture of research for health, based on sound informational, scientific and ethical foundations and evidence. -To coordinate the development of relevant scientific activities including: improving the availability, quality and use of health information at the national level; promoting the dissemination and translation of relevant evidence and research for health results to health policy and practice; identifying national health research priorities and development of national health research strategies; strengthening scientific and technological infrastructure and methodological capability for health systems research as a tool for health management.
Description of duties: To provide continued advice, guidance and leadership in the development and implementation of health research agenda that supports WHO EMRO and Member States efforts to improve strengthening of health research systems that can provide quality and timely empirical evidence for decision making. Summary of Assigned Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Regional Director and the general guidance of the Deputy Regional Director, the incumbent will perform the following duties: 1.Provide technical expertise and authoritative advice to Member States on the development of their national health research strategies focused on the research needs for the attainment of Health for all (HFA) goals with Primary Health Care (PHC), as the key approach; 2.Provide technical expertise and substantive advice on the development/strengthening of Member States health research management and coordinating mechanisms in general and HSR in particular as part of health management; 3.Act as the focal point and secretary to the Eastern Mediterranean Advisory Committee on Health Research (EM/ACHR). Responsible for the organization, conduct and implementation of the recommendations of its annual meetings; 4.Promote and coordinate the development of appropriate scientific and technological infrastructure including the methodological capability to conduct multidisciplinary and multisectoral research for health development; 5.Provide substantive, direction and supervision to all administrative matters pertaining to WHO Collaborating Centres as stipulated in the respective guidelines.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Education: Essential: University degree in Medicine. Masters in public health or in health research.
Skills: In-depth knowledge of Research Management in the context of needs for HFA/PHC and Health Systems Research (HSR). Ability to promote WHO's position in health leadership and ability to drive WHO to successful future. WHO Competencies: 1) Producing results 2) Ensure the effective use of resources 3) Moving forward in a changing environment 4) Fostering integration and teamwork 5) Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Experience: Essential: At least ten years of combined experience at national and international levels in management of health research. Desirable: Teaching in research management. Previous experience in an international organization would be an asset.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of English. Working knowledge of Arabic and/or French is an asset.
Additional Information: - Applicants are kindly requested to pay attention to the screening questions as they will be used to screen out unqualified candidates. - Only qualified applicants with the relevant experience will be considered. - A written test/presentation and interviews will be used as a form of screening. The written test might be used as an eliminatory tool. - Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice (this could be the base for rosters). - Candidates will be interviewed using a competency based approach. This vacancy is published in English only.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$80,629 at single rate US$86,791 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 37.3 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.