Public Health Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Support and Partnerships (CPA) supports the development and delivery of WHO's strategic engagement portfolio in Member States with and without country offices. It aims to maximize WHO's impact in countries by helping them realize their health and development ambitions and strategies in line with the European Programme of Work (EPW) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). CPA recognizes that each country is different and needs tailored collaboration. The Division works by bringing people and units together across WHO divisions, offices and key partners. The Division has the principal function to develop mechanisms that help the organization understand, strategize, implement and connect for country impact. In this, it focuses on gathering, analyzing and presenting information for country impact; developing, tracking and refining strategic country engagement plans; supporting programme implementation in countries; and facilitating effective collaboration and networks within the organization and with countries and partners. This includes working with partners and Member States to manage and respond to the health needs of refugees and migrants, with a focus on access to health services and on preparedness for refugee and migrant influxes. CPA operates in particular proximity to Country Offices and provides opportunities for frequent mobility between assignments in the Division and in countries (in particular for team lead positions). Individual technical officers will have - in addition to their specific technical focus- a geographic responsibility by virtue of being a focal point for a limited number of country offices, for which they will provide support across all technical areas covered by CPA.The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (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 WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020-2025 - “United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens' expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Country Cooperation Strategy with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To actively support the country work and Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) through the implementation of the core and project-related activities - including preparatory processes and gathering background information from the country, supporting missions, policy dialogues and other means to deliver results, follow-up on agreements, changes and developments and actively participate in WHO related country-level activities.

Key duties:

• Support the implementation of WHO activities, -by providing support to health and other sectors in - developing, implementing and evaluating national policies and strategies that help to improve universal health coverage, health system's performance, and inter-sectorial action for health and wellbeing. Closely work with stakeholders and actors at national, sub-national and sub-regional level to improve health governance.
• Provide technical assistance at the country level on priority issues such as: strengthening and reforming health systems, and public health functions; implementation of strategies and interventions to address the health burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases; addressing biological, social and environmental determinants of health across the life-course; equity, and emergency preparedness, surveillance and response.
• Support in the application of tools and guidelines for the improvement of health information and collation of information, data analysis and sharing. Support in the preparation of regular, high-quality and timely briefings, reports, or situation analysis.
• Assist the Head of WHO Country Office in all managerial, programmatic, administrative and coordinative activities with the Regional Office and support the effective implementation of all WHO activities in the country as elaborated in the CCS or other WHO action plans.
• Assist and contribute to promoting partnerships in the country with relevant health stakeholders, and contribute to certifying the correct high technical quality, policy-relevant and timely implementation of all tasks and activities carried out under the donor financed initiatives or in agreed partnerships at country level.
• Collaborate with institutions, associations and non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies, for exchange of information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches.
• Assist in preparations of missions to the country, provide necessary background analysis and policy briefs and support consultants in the country or on missions to neighbouring Member States.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, public health, social and political sciences, economics or another relevant area of studies.
Desirable: University degree(Master's level) or postgraduate training in any of the above fields. Project management certification.

Experience

Essential: At least-two years of national professional experience in project management in the fields of public health, health systems, social and/or health policy, and/or international development and/or related areas.
Desirable: Relevant work experience with(in) WHO, the UN or international organizations or entities in the public health sector.

Skills

• Analytical skills and demonstrated knowledge on performing health system analysis.
• Ability to provide sound technical guidance in health to multiple stakeholders and partners in countries.
• Ability to integrate, synthesize and communicate clearly on health-policy concepts and ideas.
• Proficiency in standard computer applications e.g. electronic communication, database searches and management, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and planning software.
• Emotional intelligence; Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Czech.
Desirable:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at CZK 1,510,923 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• 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.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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