Technical Officer (Health Systems)

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: SEAR/CO/13/FT/08 Title: Technical Officer (Health Systems) Grade: P3 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  Two years	Date: 10 June 2013 Application Deadline: 9 July 2013 (2 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  New Delhi, India   Organization unit: SEARO Countries (SE_ACO) / SE_IND WR Office, India (SE_IND)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO All the Member States of WHO in the South East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. The seven point global health agenda contained in WHO's Eleventh General Programme of Work (2006-2015) includes: (i) investing in health to reduce poverty; (ii) building individual and global health security; (iii) promoting universal coverage, gender equality and health related human rights; (iv) tackling determinants of health; (v) strengthening health systems and equitable access; (vi) harnessing knowledge, science and technology; and (vii) strengthening governance, leadership and accountability. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The South -East Asia Region of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India's population of 1.2 billion. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate. Mission of the WHO Country Office for India Within the framework of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in: (i) developing and sustaining its own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii) anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health Purpose of the Position: In a context of striving towards improved efficiency and effectiveness, strengthened impact of WHO Country Office for India on health of population of India and incentives to work horizontally at country level, a technical officer, health systems will contribute to achieving WHO Strategic Objectives in India in accordance to WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India across SOs 1-11. S/he will contribute to overall efforts to: (i) Strengthen the strategic and technical aspects of the WCO-India work in health systems area (pursuit of corporate objectives, ensure solid technical advise, follow up and accountability, etc.); (ii) Improve quality and relevance of work at the service of Member State; (iii) Strengthen transparency through better follow up and evaluation.
Description of duties: Under the leadership, strategic and managerial oversight of his/her First Level Supervisor, Coordinator, Health Programmes and overall guidance of WHO Representative to India, the incumbent will have following general responsibilities: To be responsible for achieving the expected results set out in the relevant strategic objectives (SOs) within WCO workplan, and ensuring adequate and quality contributions to the implementation of country biennial workplans; Supporting the Member State (by means of technical services, including policy and technical advice, development of norms, information, and other WHO core functions) in strengthening its health systems for better health outcomes, as well as in providing strategic inputs to the South-East Asia Regional Office's work in the respective area of work; To ensure the necessary measures to obtain reliable monitoring and performance assessment information through reporting, evaluation and other mechanisms and to correct known performance pitfalls; To ensure contribution to the production of specific health intelligence in support of health intelligence service to the Member State. Specific responsibilities:  Contribute to the implementation of the biennial workplan of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India for 2012-2017. The above work will be done by means of flexible, matrix type organizational arrangements of the relations between the health systems and health programmes of WCO (e.g., National Polio Surveillance Program, Communicable Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases etc); Promote integration of health programmes' within health system approach at SO level and within the WCO India country workplan;  Contribute to production and development of corporate strategies and technical inputs of the WHO Country Office in India in the area of Health Systems and ensure coherence and consistency with other sectoral strategies developed by technical programmes;  Provide intelligence and strategic analyses in light of the external context and recent experience, informing options at Union and State level based on the documentation of experiences and promising practices;  Facilitate WCO inputs to the design and implementation of relevant health systems strengthening initiatives (such as National Rural Health Mission and others), and the dissemination/sharing of the experience in relevant national and international contexts;  Participate in the WCO planning activities, taking explicitly into account performance in previous biennia; undertake follow up activities and contribute to evaluation work, analyzing big trends, etc.;  Provide coordination, drafting support and technical input for WCO publications on the development of health intelligence, donor proposals, events, and other work including dissemination/ sharing of its experience in relevant national and international contexts;  Contribute to the external relationships, representation, communication and advocacy work of the WCO aimed at improving health system transparency and accountability;  Undertake any other assignment aimed at improving health status and health systems in India, drawing from the evidence base on social exclusion of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health and other sources, as requested by the WR.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: Advanced University Degree in Health or Social Sciences, Management or Economics. Desirable: Postgraduate degree (Master or PhD) in any of the above or a combination of training and experience.
Skills:  The Technical Officer, Health Systems, should be: - Identified with the core values of the World Health Organisation - Have sound technical and policy advise skills in health systems area, based on evidence - Skilful in understanding the potential motivating factors within national context and able to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment - Able to promote innovative approaches to maximize the effectiveness of WCO impact on strengthening health systems in India. - Skilful in modern management methods (performance measurement, design and operation of modern management information systems, planning and evaluation, etc) Competencies: 1. Producing results 2. Fostering integration and teamwork 3. Ensuring the effective use of resources 4. Building and Promoting Partnerships across organization 5. Creating an empowering and motivating environment Other Skills (e.g. IT): Computer and IT Skills
Experience: Essential: At least five years of progressively responsible experience at national and/or international level in health systems planning, evaluation, strategy analyses. Track record in positions that required strong technical and evidence generation skills within multisectorial environment and in multidisciplinary tasks with precise goals. Desirable: Working experience within the World Health Organization or other UN agencies. Work in the field of strategic planning, evaluation, strategic analyses.
Languages: Essential: Proficiency in English, good working knowledge of any of the other official languages within WHO. Desirable: Knowledge of other languages an asset.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$ 56,091/- at single rate US$ 60,091/- with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 41 % 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.
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening
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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.
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Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.