Unit Leader, Evidence & Intelligence for Policy-making

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: EURO/13/FT239 Title: Unit Leader, Evidence & Intelligence for Policy-making Grade: P4 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  Two years*	Date: 10 June 2013 Application Deadline: 11 July 2013 (4 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Copenhagen, Denmark   Organization unit: EURO Europe Regional Office (EU/RGO) / EU/DIR Information, Evidence, Research and Innovation (EU/DIR) Evidence, Information & Policy (EIP)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Evidence-informed policy-making is an approach to policy decisions that aims to ensure that decision making is well-informed by the best available research evidence. It is characterized by the systematic and transparent access to, and appraisal of, evidence as an input into the policy-making process. WHO/Europe supports and helps public health and health care policy-makers in using research evidence and building evidence-informed health policies. The Evidence, Information and Policy (EIP) programme provides: policy-relevant related information and publications which targeted at decision-makers; a database of research and evidence on issues of interest to policy-makers in the European Region; support to in-country networking and workshops; and advice through other research and coordination activities.
Description of duties: (a) Manages the process for the production of the Health Evidence Network (HEN) reports. This includes: - identifying and commissioning expert authors based on their knowledge in the field; - maintaining regular contact with the authors to guide their work, clarify technical issues and respond to subject-specific queries from them; - facilitating technical discussions and topical debates in-house, and ensuring appropriate people are involved; - identifying and commissioning external and internal peer-reviewers for the HEN reports; - coordinating the work of the external HEN editors; and - elaborating procedures and methodologies of report production (e.g. handbooks, checklists, etc.). (b) Acts as focal point for health research in EURO: - Support the Director in the coordination of the European Advisory Committee on Health Research (EACHR) including the follow up on action points of the committee and research and provision of background documents pertaining to the agenda of meetings. - Discharge duties as the EURO focal point for the WHO Ethics Review Committee (ERC), including advice to EURO staff on the need to make submissions to the above committee and participation in the activities of the Global Ethics Review Committee. - Discharge duties as the EURO focal point for the WHO Guidelines Review Committee (GRC), including advice to EURO staff on the need to make submissions to the above committee and participation in the activities of the Global Guidelines Review Committee. - Act as EURO focal point to the global WHO secretariat for the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination (CEWG), including regular participation in global secretariat activities and preparation of consultations and briefing documents to the Director and RD in preparation for governing bodies meetings. (c) Acts as focal point and manages the process for DIR's contribution to Health Systems Performance Assessment (HSPA) with particular focus on the development of indicators: - identifying and commissioning experts based on their knowledge in the field; - facilitating technical discussions and topical debates in-house, and ensuring appropriate people are involved; - providing technical support to the Director and for the development of indicators for HSPA. (d) Supervises the activities of the staff member leading the work of EVIPNet Europe, including the oversight of the strategic planning of the programme, the execution of annual multi-country workshops, and the establishment of country teams. (e) Researches and responds to subject-specific inquiries received, including those in the HEN mailbox through the web site. (f) Performs other duties as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: Advanced university degree in public health or related field and certified qualification in project management (e.g. PRINCE 2). Desirable: Additional academic qualifications in a public health-related field would be an asset.
Skills:  Functional: Essential: Understanding of the major health issues in the Region and the relative importance of these to policy makers. Strong management skills. Other: Use of all Microsoft applications. Skills in search strategies and use of databases such as Cochrane and Medline. Competencies required: 1) Communicating in a credible and effective way - Speaks and writes clearly and succinctly, communicates openly and well within the team and across other divisions, has excellent writing, public speaking and presentation skills. 2) Knowing and managing yourself - Stays positive in the face of challenges, remains productive when under pressure, shows willingness to learn from previous experience and applies lessons to improve performance. 3) Producing results - Produces high quality results and workable solutions, monitors own progress agains objectives, takes responsibility for own work, acts without being prompted and makes things happen, handles problems effectively. 4) Fostering integration and teamwork - Works collaboratively with team members and staff in other divisions to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport among team members; identifies conflict early and supports actions to facilitate its resolution. 5) Building & promoting partnerships across the Organization - Promotes synergies between the work produced in WHO and external partners; builds and maintains relationships and alliances inside and outside WHO, encourages people from different parts of the organisation to work together.
Experience: Essential: A minimum of 7 years' experience in research and analysis of public health programmes, systematic reviews and working with evidence-based policies and recommendations - of which at least 5 years' experience is at the international level. Experience in working with international projects or/and in a multi-cultural environment. Desirable: Experience of working in the European Region and in WHO. Experience in health systems performance assessment.
Languages: Essential: Excellent knowledge of English with a working knowledge of another WHO/EURO official language. Desirable: Knowledge of other European or WHO languages an asset.
Additional Information: Interviews will take place using a competency-based approach. A written test may be part of the initial short-listing procedure which does not preclude a written test or presentation prior to final interview. Similar posts could be filled using this vacancy notice. * Extension of appointments are subject to a)satisfactory performance, b) continued need for the function and c) availability of funds.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 67,483 at single rate USD 72,467 with primary dependants
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.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.