Hub Coordinator (WHO Observatory, London)

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: EURO/14/FT179 Title: Hub Coordinator (WHO Observatory, London) Grade: P4 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  Two years (*please see below under additional information)	Date: 11 April 2014 Application Deadline: 3 May 2014 (2 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland   Organization unit: EU/RDO Office of Regional Director (EU/RDO) / EU/OBS European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (EU/OBS) WHO Observatory - London hubs (London School of Economics/London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The objective of the Observatory programme is to support and promote evidence-based health policy-making through comprehensive and rigorous analysis of the dynamics of health care systems in Europe. It monitors health systems and policies in each of the countries in the WHO European region; produces analytical and comparative studies on key health system and policy issues and; compares trends across countries and tackles performance assessment. It also engages with policy-makers using a range of dissemination and knowledge brokering tools to make its findings accessible to decision-makers and to facilitate the uptake of evidence and evidence-based decision-making in countries. It provides evidence directly at Ministerial and Secretary of State level through policy dialogues and tailored support.
Description of duties: The post-holder has to carry out a range of tasks to achieve the programme's objectives and is expected to: - Coordinate the delivery of the work plan of the London (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine - LSH and London School of Economics - LSE) hubs: operationalizing work plan commitments; independently managing the country monitoring, analysis and performance activities day to day to achieve timely delivery across functions in line with the work plan and without duplication; coordinating the hub's contribution to dissemination and knowledge brokering; ensuring external contributions are managed efficiently and contribute to outputs as expected; monitoring work flow and progress towards objectives; reporting. - Support analytical and research teams and provide supervision: managing particular research projects and functions; ensuring links between teams; supervising and supporting staff in the delivery of their work; providing technical guidance on content issues; advising on expert networks; overseeing the commissioning of additional research inputs; steering internal and external peer review; taking remedial action to avoid delays. - Take part in the operational and strategic management efforts led by Brussels: contributing to decision making and forward planning by the senior Brussels team; feeding key issues identified through the work of the hub/s into work planning; contributing to or leading the development of analytic and funding proposals in line with Steering Committee policy. - Contribute to and lead analysis: shaping terms of reference for studies and other analytical projects, overseeing the appointment of external authors and editors; supervising methods used; managing technical editing and review; ensuring technical content is policy relevant; ensuring delivery is to the highest technical standard; ensuring outputs are relevant and accessible to policy makers and otherwise contributing to the generation of first rate evidence. - Contribute to and lead knowledge brokering: contributing to and leading policy dialogues, facilitating knowledge transfer to policy makers in Member States; contributing to and leading rapid responses through tailoring evidence to address pressing policy concerns; making presentations; developing knowledge brokering tools and responding to Partners' requests - Managerial and administrative tasks: monitoring the expenditures of the London hubs; clearing requests for expenditures and travels; supporting the clearance process for evidence outputs and taking on other ad hoc responsibilities as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: Post graduate (Masters) degree in health, social sciences or other related subject. Desirable: PhD in health, social sciences or other related subject. Formal training in presentation.
Skills:  Standard range of IT skills. Familiarity with a range of computer aided research tools an asset. Functional Skills and Knowledge: Knowledge of health systems and of the European Region including a full range of countries. Knowledge of and skills in research techniques including monitoring and comparative analysis. Knowledge of and skills in research management, team leadership and working in partnership across organizations. Skills in presentation of complex evidence and in knowledge brokering. Competencies required: 1) Communicating in a credible and effective way - The role involves working with policy makers to share the evidence generated and to outline (non-normative and evidence based) policy options. This requires sensitivity to the audiences concerned and to the material involved as well as high level technical and presentational skills. 2) Producing results - The hub has to deliver a complex set of products across a range of functions and in a timely fashion. An ability to work systematically and to structure own and others work to achieve high quality delivery is essential. 3) Creating an empowering and motivating environment - The role calls for effective coordination of research teams including external inputs to projects; the linking of the two London hubs; and close integration of hub staff into Observatory wide functions all of which demand highly effective staff management and support. 3) Building & promoting partnerships across the Organization adn beyond - The Observatory is a partnership and works with a wide range of national, academic and policy making counterparts. The ability to build and sustain relatioships is therefore crucial.
Experience: Essential: 7-9 years years progressively more senior experience of European health systems and policy analysis and with evidence for policy (including at least three with an international, comparative focus); proven record of international research and/or research management. Experience in supervision of research staff, the collection and marshalling of data, the application of a range of research methods. Track record in publishing research findings. Desirable: Experience with WHO. Experience of working directly with senior policy makers. Experience of leading or working on academic projects delivered in partnership. Proven success in working with the European Commission and EU funded projects an asset. Proven track record working in a multi-cultural environment an advantage.
Languages: Essential: Excellent knowledge of English (read, write and speak) and working knowledge of another WHO official language and/or EURO official language. Desirable: Good knowledge (read, write and speak) of another WHO official language strongly desirable. Knowledge of other European languages is an asset.
Additional Information: * Any extension of appointment is subject to a) satisfactory performance, b) continued need for the function, and c) availability of funds. Similar positions at the same grade may be filled using this vacancy notice. Long-listed candidates may be contacted to sit a written test or presentation prior to final short-listing. This does not preclude a written test or presentation prior to final interview. Interviews will take place using a competency-based approach.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 67,111 at single rate USD 72.605 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 88.8 % 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.
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
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