Public Health Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development and implementation at national, regional, and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights, and gender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health, and social care services. To do so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology. The WHO Athens Quality of Care and Patient Safety Office (QoC), works to achieve the highest level of well-being, health, and health protection in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Its main aim is to support the Member States in the European region, with a special focus on southern European countries, in building safe, qualitative, effective, and resilient health systems at the core of post-COVID-19 strategies. The Athens Office acts on the following major areas: Country support, national strategies and frameworks and sharing lessons to scale up successful interventions. This involves inter alia documenting and collating practices and country-specific assistance for strengthening quality of care and patient safety. Quality of care and patient safety innovation and knowledge synthesis. This includes the creation of an innovation hub to share novel quality of care and patient safety approaches. Policy analysis in the sphere of quality of care and patient safety. This stream of work aims to systematize evidence on quality of care and patient safety to inform national health policies. Network building, alliances, and stakeholder engagement. Under this pillar partnerships with relevant stakeholders such as leading academic institutions and think tanks are developed and scaled up.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the Athens Quality of Care Office to provide technical assistance and scientific expertise in the development and timely implementation of key activities in the region and in Greece, specifically:

(1) the development, organizational and coordination of the WHO European Public Health Leadership Courses

(2) the technical support of programmes and activities related to public health and health systems

(3) the organizational support to QoC office activities including coordination.

To provide technical support and scientific expertise in the development and timely implementation of key QoC activities supporting Member States in:

(1) the development, organizational and coordination of the WHO European Public Health Leadership Courses

(2) the technical support of programmes and activities related to public health and health system in Greece

(3) the organizational support and teams coordination of the QoC office activities in Greece.

Key duties

1. Provide technical advice and support to national and regional counterparts through targeted trainings and direct technical guidance towards strengthening the capacity of public health services and health workforce.
2. Collaborate with colleagues across the three level of the organization in the development of the WHO European Public Health Leadership Course, including communicationactivities.
3. Develop and produce the WHO podcast on Quality of Care and Patient Safety, showcasing the advancements in the WHO European Region.
4. Contribute to the Office's projects by providing technical guidance and support, as well as coordinating the timely and efficient delivery of the agreed outcomes and expected results.
5. Collaborate in the drafting process of National Plans and Strategies, situation reports, policy briefs and any related to public health and QoC Office publications.
6. Assist the team with technical knowledge to the development of policy analysis in the sphere of public health and quality of care and patient safety.
7. Support with any other related work within the above areas, as relevant and needed by the QoC Office.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, nursing, public health, social science, or another field relevant to the position.
Desirable: Postgraduate education/certifications in Public Health or similar.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of relevant experience in public health, health systems and/or patient safety and Quality of care
Desirable: Proven experience in public health programmes. Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of health systems issues, with emphasis on quality of care and patient safety approaches. Strong communication skills. Demonstrated knowledge of stakeholder engagement notably with patient representatives, governmental organizations, private sector, and other non-state actors. Demonstrated knowledge of the mandate of WHO and the UN. Computer literacy in advanced presentation programs, and the use of database and statistical software would be an asset. 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
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Local Language.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at EUR 50,665 (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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