The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.

Vacancy Notice No: HQ/12/HQ/FT209
Title: Director
Grade: D2
Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment
Duration of contract: Two years
Application Deadline: 2 August 2012
Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
Organization unit: HQ Headquarters
HQ/HSS Health Systems and Services
HQ/HPW Health Systems Policies and Workforce

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME:
The Department for Health Systems Policies and Workforce (HPW) supports Member States, and collaborates with development partners and other parts of the WHO Secretariat in seeking to improve health systems performance and health outcomes, particularly for poor people. The HSS cluster mission is to enable Member States to improve equity in health, access, coverage and quality of health services through policy dialogue informed by sound evidence, systematic learning and capacity building. The main functions of the HPW department are to provide global leadership and strategic direction for WHO in relation to strengthening of national health systems including HRH, health systems governance, improving service delivery and aid effectiveness. The Department is concerned with WHO's overall contribution to the attainment of universal health coverage and the transformation of health systems based on primary health care (PHC).

Description of duties:
Provides strategic leadership across and beyond WHO in order to articulate a clear vision and policy direction in the following key health systems areas:

  • Health services delivery, including: (i) the organization and management of health services based on a primary health care approach, and (ii) the production, retention, distribution and monitoring of human resources for health;
  • Health systems policy and governance, including: (i) approaches to improve and document aid effectiveness, (ii) the anticipation of the future trends (particularly developments in the use of products of human origin) for health policy and service delivery, and (iii) through sound management, the organizational capacity to engage the global community on WHO's agenda for health governance, health policy, aid effectiveness and service delivery.

Builds networks of collaboration with major institutional interlocutors, placing WHO to lead policy activity in health governance, HRH, health policy, aid effectiveness and service delivery.

Provides strategic leadership across WHO in establishing and maintaining links between other departments and clusters related to strengthening health systems, e.g. joint programmes of work with Family, Women's and Children's Health (FWC) and HIV/AIDS, TB and Neglected Tropical Diseases (HTM) clusters.

Participates as a key member of the Senior Management Team of the HSS Cluster, taking on cluster-wide or pan-institutional responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the ADG/HSS.

Promotes integration of Regional and Country Office perspectives and operational capacities into the work of HPW.

Promotes concerted action by other UN agencies, governments and NGOs to improve health services delivery, focusing on the primary health care approach.

Mobilizes resources, both internal and external, to enable the achievement of programmatic objectives of the Department.

Manages the financial and human resources of the Department in a manner fully consistent with WHO norms and procedures, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to meet objectives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Essential - Degree in medicine and advanced degree in public health or related area; Desirable - Doctoral degree in health management or public health.

Skills: Demonstrated extensive knowledge of the areas related to health systems governance, HRH, health policy, aid effectiveness and services delivery functions of health systems; Senior policy, leadership and management skills; Excellent communication skills; Extensive knowledge of the multilateral landscape related to health and development; Demonstrated ability to foster and maintain integration and team work within the department, among departments in the HSS Cluster, and other clusters.; Computer literacy in standard office applications.

WHO Competencies: 1. Promoting WHO's position in health leadership; 2. Producing results; 3. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond; 4. Creating an empowering and motivating environment; 5. Ensuring the effective use of resources.

Experience: At least 10 years of progressive responsibility at senior policy, leadership and managerial level in national and international public health with emphasis on the governance and service delivery functions of health systems, including human resources for health (HRH); At least 5 years of experience working in a senior managerial capacity in a national health system, preferably in a developing country; Extensive experience in collaboration at senior levels with multilateral, bilateral and regional development institutions; Recognized as an authority in the field of health system, based on a track record of successful health system reform and related publications.

Languages: Excellent knowledge of English is essential. Excellent knowledge of French is desirable.

Annual salary: (Net of tax): USD 102981 at single rate; USD 112096 with primary dependants. Post Adjustment: 104.1 % 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.

Additional Information: Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this Vacancy Notice. This vacancy is published in English only. A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening. 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. 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.

Off-line applications should be sent to: World Health Organization • c/o GMG/HRD/HRQ • 20, Avenue Appia • CH-1211 Geneva 27 • Fax number:
+41 22 79 14864

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