Senior Health Policy Advisor

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The WHO country office provides policy guidance, strategic assistance and technical support to the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) with the framework of the Cambodia-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2024-2028, the Regional Vision ‘Weaving health for families, communities and societies in the Western Pacific Region: Working together to improve health and well-being and save lives’, and the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14).

In line with the CCS, the WHO country office assists national counterparts to strengthen their institutional capacities to provide, promote and protect health and wellbeing for all. Programmes are designed with a focus on impact on the ground and sustainability of the action. Interventions are implemented through integrated and cross-cutting approaches. Data-driven and forward-looking approaches are adopted to ensure that programmes are designed and implemented based on the available evidence and in light of a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the Head of WHO Country Office, the incumbent will perform the following and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:

• Work in coordination with team leaders a country level, and in close coordination with regional and headquarters focal points, under the guidance of the head of the WHO country office.
• Facilitate the development of public health strategies, policies, and plans focused on sustainable impact on the ground.
• Provide expert policy advice and guidance to the government and national stakeholders on the design, implementation, and evaluation of national health policies for health system strengthening in order to move towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), through:
• • the strengthening of the capacity of national stakeholders to organize and lead an effective health policy dialogue and reform the implementation process (including by developing strategic intelligence on key health system reform issues and focusing on priority areas of health financing, public health, primary care, health workforce and governance);
  • the development of an aligned, service-delivery vision to strengthen public health and primary care services so as to better prevent and control communicable and noncommunicable diseases;
  • the transformation of health financing arrangements for universal health coverage, including improving governance and accountability;
  • the alignment of other critical system functions, such as human resources, accessible policies for medicines and technologies, and strengthened governance arrangements;
  • the improvement and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for health systems strengthening, agreeable to all stakeholders, with health targets for communicable and noncommunicable diseases, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and
  • the promotion of best-in-class models and innovative approaches to evidence-informed health policy implementation and health systems strengthening to facilitate learning and capacity building in policy making at national level.
• Foster partnerships, build alliances, identify opportunities for cross cutting-collaboration, and promote networking and joint programming between the WHO country office and other UN organizations, non-state actors, and international donors towards the implementation of health systems transformation at the country-level.
• Establish and strengthen links with institutions, associations and non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches.
• Demonstrate the impact of reforms on health outcomes and universal health coverage, by leading in-depth impact evaluations of health financing, public health, and primary care.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s level or higher) in public health, health systems/services administration, health policy, health planning, primary health care, public health, health-related social sciences or similar disciplines.

Desirable: PhD/doctoral degree in one or more of the above fields and/or post-graduate training or specialization in health systems and/or health planning, management, or health economics.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/ .

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of work experience in health-sector policy, strategy development and planning, a significant part of this to have been obtained at the international level. Specific experience required in health policy development.

Desirable: Experience in health sector reform. A track record in consensus building and enlisting cooperation by diverse national stakeholders. Experience with WHO or other UN agency in public health-related areas.

Skills

• Expert technical knowledge and skills in:
  • health policy formulation, strengthening and management
  • planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems
• Technical expertise required in:
  • the areas of primary-healthcare-based health systems, health systems transformation and reform
  • health-financing policy analysis for universal health coverage.
  • planning, monitoring and evaluating health systems.
• Ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, projects and programmes, to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, to adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological and technical advice and guidance in health policy to multiple stakeholders and partners in countries
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize and communicate complex health-policy concepts and ideas
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday
• Ability to analyze political context, and interact and negotiate effectively across multiple interests

WHO Competencies Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: who-enhanced-competence.pdf

1. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

2. Teamwork

3. Communication

4. Ensuring effective use of resources

5. Driving the Organization to a successful future

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English

Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN language is an advantage

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 92,731 (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 3,130 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

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• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

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