Director, Policy & Cross-Cutting Programmes & Regional Director's Special Projects Grade: D1

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : PCR is part of the Regional Directors Office (RDO) and its staff are located in Copenhagen and at the Venice Office (Geographically Dispersed Office - GDO). The mission of PCR is a) to provide strategic and technical leadership in a number of programmatic areas in their own right that also have a strong relevance (cross-cutting) to the work of all technical divisions and b) to lead and coordinate the development of the new European Policy for Health- Health2020 as well as other special projects and new initiatives of the Regional Director. The programmes and projects that are the responsibility of the Policy and Cross-Cutting Programmes and Regional Director's Special projects are as follows: Programmes: 1. National Health Policies and Strategies; 2. Social Determinants of Health (which covers the work of the Venice Office); 3. Urban Health and Healthy Cities; 4) Vulnerable Groups/Migrants and Roma; 5) Gender and health; and 6) Human Rights and health. Special Projects: 1) The new European Policy for Health - Health2020; 2) the large studies to inform the Health 2020: and 3) Gaining Health and mainstreaming Health Promotion. PCR has the full responsibility of delivering SO7 and contributes directly to a number of SOs including SO6, SO4 and SO3 and SO10. In addition PCR provides the 'home' for other priorities of the Regional Director that are managed directly by other divisions and RD. These are MDGs; the AMR and MDR TB projects. To support and collaborate with the Member States to strengthen capacity for further development and implementation of national health policies and strategies; as well as providing advice and capacity building to Member States on the issues of the technical programmatic responsibility of PCR including tackling inequalities; ensuring gender sensitive approaches to health and addressing Roma health issues. Specifically, the tasks will entail technical coordination (to ensure synergy and added value in line with EURO strategies and plans) and supervision of and support to the Head of the Venice Office, Programme Managers for social determinants, national health policies and vulnerable groups as well as several technical staff to develop their specific technical programmes (to ensure each programme is evidence based and coordinated with others in PCR and where relevant the programmes in the technical Divisions). The Director shall also be responsible for ensuring coordinated, effective and relevant technical support to the Member States in the areas under the responsibility of the incumbent. In addition the Director is the first line supervisor of the Head of the Venice Office and all the Programme Managers in PCR and is responsible for the overall running and management of PCR. The Director will also work in close collaboration with the Chief Scientist who will be tasked to ensure the evidence/base and quality of all the work of the Office and in particular the evidence base of the Health2020.
Description of duties: Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Regional Director and in close collaboration with the Director of Programme Management and Chief Scientist the incumbent will have the following responsibilities: 1. Lead and coordinate the development, evidence gathering, consultation and partnerships with countries processes in connection with the Health 2020 policy. The work includes running a Secretariat for the Health 2020 and the major studies on social determinants and governance for health 2. Direct programme managers and technical staff (and in close collaboration with the Division of Health Systems & Public Health - DSP - technical staff) to develop evidence-based guidance and tools on comprehensive national health policies, strategies and plans. 3. Lead and direct programme managers and technical staff in the areas of health policy; social determinants; urban health and healthy cities; vulnerability and health, migrants and Roma's health; gender and health; human rights; the Regions for health network and integrating health promotion and systematic approaches to disease prevention. Provide technical leadership in the formulation of evidence-based regional policies, guidance and tools. 4. Ensure effective management of human and financial resources for programmes under the incumbent's direct supervision. 5. Through the cross/cutting functions of PCR and the Health2020 development process, promote intra- and inter-Divisional teamwork in planning and management of programmes that work to strengthen actions addressing equity, gender, human rights, urban health, migrants' health and overall health policy issues. 6. Initiate and coordinate in-house capacity building and learning in order to strengthen integrated approaches to health policy development that reflect the values and principles of Health2020 and determinants of health. 7. In the areas of national and sub/national (regional and municipal levels) health policy development, action for inequalities, and all the technical areas covered by PCR. Coordinate and maintain liaison with partner agencies within the UN system as well as with other multilateral and bilateral development agencies and WHO Collaborating Centres for reviewing, planning, management and evaluation of sector-wide approaches. 8. Within WHO's overall policy framework (Health 2020) advise countries in the region on policy development, capacity building and taking innovative actions, as well as national authorities, on follow-up actions on major global conferences, conventions, global and regional declarations/resolutions related to Health 2020 and the technical areas of responsibility of PCR. 9. Support the Regional Director and Director, Programme Management as part of the technical secretariat for the WHO governing bodies (World Health Assembly, Executive Board, Regional Committee and the Standing Committee of the Regional Committee (SCRC) and other senior management and advisory meetings. 10. Serve as a member of EURO's Executive Committee and other senior advisory bodies, including acting as RD/DPM or Division directors and Executive Managers during their absence when so designated by RD/DPM. 11. Support Member States in their overall efforts to address national and sub/national health policy development, social determinants and health inequalities, migrants, gender and human rights issues in all strategic areas as required. 12. Work in close partnership with all relevant partners and stakeholders in Europe and in the countries as appropriate and play a role in resources mobilization. 13. Perform other duties as assigned by RD/DPM.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: Advanced university degree in health, social sciences or related fields. Desirable: Medical degree and/or PhD in public health or a related field.
Skills: Competencies required: 1) Promoting WHO's position in health leadership - Gains support for WHO's mission. Demonstrates authority and credibility in dealings with others. 2) Building and promoting internal and external partnerships across the organization and beyond - Builds and maintains mutually beneficial work relationships and alliances inside and outside the Organization. Creates opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve outcomes. Encourages people within the Organization to work together. 3) Producing and delivering quality results - Identifies priorities in accordance with WHO strategic directions. Develops and implements action plans, facilitates the mobilization of resources and monitors outcomes. 4) Promoting innovation and organizational learning - Builds a culture that encourages learning and development and fosters innovative approaches and solutions. : Guides and motivates staff towards meeting challenges and achieving objectives. Demonstrates the ability to work constructively with people of all backgrounds and orientations. 5) Ensuring the effective use of resources - Identifies, organizes and effectively manages the financial and human resources needed to achieve results. Establishes measures to monitor resources and progress of activities as planned. Leadership qualities including managerial skills to manage staff and budgets. Functional skills & knowledge required: Strategic knowledge of the areas under supervision. Political and diplomatic skills. Thorough knowledge of WHO's mission, goals, policies, rules and regulations. IT skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office package (e.g. Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc.).
Experience: Essential: At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience of which 5 years are at the international level with a proven track record in positions that required strong public health leadership of high-skilled professional teams in multidisciplinary settings. Desirable: Experience in modern management techniques and in WHO technical programme management. Experience in the management of health programmes in the area of health systems and public health.
Languages: Essential: Very good knowledge of English with a good working knowledge of another official WHO language and/or WHO EURO official language. Desirable: Good Knowledge of other European languages.
Additional Information: Short-listed candidates will be contacted for a written test and/or presentation. Interviews will take place using a competency-based approach. Similar posts could be filled using this vacancy notice. WHO has an online recruitment system. Therefore, ONLY applications submitted on-line at www.who.int/employment/en will be accepted. All on-line applications are automatically acknowledged. If you do not receive an e-mail within 24 hours confirming receipt of your application, you should verify your on-line profile. In case of repeated difficulties, contact by e-mail hrsrecruitment@euro.who.int - indicating the vacancy title and number in the subject line.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 95,394 at single rate USD 103,204 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 65.4 % 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.
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.