Programme Manager, National Health Policies, Copenhagen (P-5)

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: EURO/15/FT142 Title: Programme Manager, National Health Policies (re-opened) Grade: P5 Contract type: Fixed-term Appointment Duration of contract:  Two years (*please see under Additional information)	Date: 19 March 2015 Original published date: 19 March 2015 Application Deadline: 20 August 2015 (22 day(s) until closing deadline) Republished (Currently accepting applications) Duty Station:  Copenhagen, Denmark   Organization unit: EURO Europe Regional Office (EU/RGO) Division of Policy & Governance for Health & Well-being
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO: All the Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation. The seven point global health agenda contained in WHO's Eleventh General Programme of Work (2006-2015) includes: (i) investing in health to reduce poverty; (ii) building individual and global health security; (iii) promoting universal coverage, gender equality and health related human rights; (iv) tackling determinants of health; (v) strengthening health systems and equitable access; (vi) harnessing knowledge, science and technology; and (vii) strengthening governance, leadership and accountability. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (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 European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. The mission of the WHO Regional Office for Europe is to support Member States in: (i) developing and sustaining their own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii) anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health. The Division of Policy and Governance for Health and Well-being (PCR) leads the implementation of the Health 2020 - the European policy framework supporting action across government and society for health and well-being. It supports national and sub-national health policy development in countries and provides strategic and technical leadership on governance for health and health equity, in particular on the social determinants of health, gender, human rights and vulnerabilities. The coordination of the Healthy Cities Network, as well as the Regions for Health Network also falls under the responsibilities of the division. The PCR Division has staff located in Copenhagen and in Venice. The mission of the PCR Division is a) to lead and coordinate the implementation of the new European Policy and Strategy for Health and Wellbeing - Health 2020 and the findings of the major studies that informed the development of Health 2020 (European Promotion) and b) to provide strategic and technical leadership in a number of programmatic areas that also have a strong relevance (cross-cutting) to the work of all technical divisions. The programmes and technical areas of work that are the responsibility of the Division of Policy and Governance for health and Well-being are as follows: 1. Health 2020 Implementation 2. National and sub-national intersectoral Health Policies 3. Governance for Health 4. Social Determinants of Health 5. Vulnerability and Health, Migrant and Roma Health 6. Gender and health 7. Human Rights and health 8. Patients empowerment 9. Public Health implications of Migration 10. Urban Health and Healthy Cities 11. Regions for Health 12. Coordination of Healthy Settings networks & Mainstreaming health promotion
Description of duties: Under the guidance of the Director, Policy and Governance for Health and Wellbeing, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities and achieve the following objectives: A. Core responsibilities in assisting Member States in relation to leadership and governance for health include: (i) dialogue with and strategic advice to policy makers on implementing Health 2020 and developing national health policies, strategies and plans through inter-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approaches; (ii) technical assistance withpolicy dialogues, capacity building, strategic guidance events, individualized consultancy and multi country events and the development of mechanisms and processes addressing the whole policy development cycle. Special emphasis on strengthening national capacity in the identification of appropriate mechanisms for health policy development relevant to the countries needs and circumstances, as well as associated organizational and institutional features of health systems; and (iii) advocacy and advice for the enhancement of the leadership skills of health ministries in working with multiple stakeholders for health policy development using different entry points and shared governance approaches. B. Core responsibilities in providing intellectual and technical leadership and guidance in directing the development of a European policy and knowledge base in the thematic area of national health policies include: (i) acting as the WHO EURO technical content expert and focal point for national health policies, strategies and plans; (ii) acting as the lead programmatic focal point for the Health 2020 implementation in countries; (iii) harnessing European and other experience and knowledge in the national health policies, documenting gaps therein for the definition of the research agenda on the subject matter; (iv) managing and synthesizing related knowledge to build the evidence base for dissemination to Member States as requested; (v) producing evidence-based guidance, resource materials and tools including case studies and authoritative and relevant policy papers and briefs on the subject matter; and (vi) documenting and rendering explicit the pros and cons of various policy optionsin the context of the socio-political and organizational context of the diverse countries of the European Region. C. Core responsibilities as a Programme Manager: C.1. technical nature: (i) to ensure technical quality in the technical programme; (ii) to ensure consistency and cohesiveness with the WHO guidelines and approaches, and messages, contributing to the WHO normative function; (iii) to be responsible for the overall timeliness and quality of all programme deliverables of both country and intercountry workplans. C.2. managerial nature: (i) to provide leadership and managerial oversight to the work of all programme staff; (ii) to mobilize resources to efficiently deliver services/products within country and intercountry workplans; (iii) to be responsible for the allocation of resources within country and intercountry workplans inconsultation and coordination with the Director of the Division (ensure availability of funds and monitoring of dates and budget constraints); (iv) to act as 1st level supervisor forassigned administrative and P staff of the programme (monitoring of performance through reporting & evaluation, monitoring of workload,coordination within the division regarding travel, holidays, funds availability).
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: Advanced university degree in health policy, public health, social science or health administration and management. Desirable: Doctorate in health policy or health system management. NB: WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an accredited institution.
Skills:  Good understanding of the health policy cycles; modern concepts of health policy development, operational understanding of modern public health concepts and approaches, inter-sectoral action and governance for health; social determinants of health and equity. In depth knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries of the European Region would be an asset. Knowledge of the WHO and UN system would be an asset. Other Skills: Knowledge of standard text, spreadsheet and presentation software applications required. Competencies required: 1) Promoting WHO's position in health leadership - Ability to successfully promote WHO's mission and programme of work. Proven ability to provide sound policy and technical advice to institutions and governments. Demonstrates authority and credibility in dealings with others. Prepares and delivers complex and high level messages, using a range of appropriate techniques. 2) Creating an empowering and motivating environment - Ability to provide staff with clear direction and support in meeting objectives. Provides staff with regular feedback, recognizes good performance and addresses performance issues. Motivates staff to achieve individual and team goals. 3) Producing results - Ability to produce high-quality results and workable solutions that meet client needs. Act appropriately without being prompted and makes things happen; will handle problems effectively. 4) Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond - Ability to work collaboratively with team members and counter parts inside and outside the organization to achieve results. Will encourage co-operation and build rapport among fellow team members at all levels.Actively encourages people from different parts of the Organization to work together. 5) Communicating in a credible and effective way - Excellent writing ability, as reflected in a history of high-quality and concise technical reports. Excellent skills in making presentations, as reflected in a history of high quality technical and policy related presentations in international fora.
Experience: Essential: Ten years hands-on working experience in health development, policy and health policy analysis including at least five years at international level; attaining managerial rank. Three to five years of practical experience in implementing or advising on national health policies development, capacity building for addressing health in all policies and the social determinants of health and whole of government and whole of society approaches for health and wellbeing and health leadership strengthening. Experience of advising lower and middle income countries. Desirable: Experience working with or in other multi- and bilateral development agencies active in the health sector. Working in settings supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
Languages: Essential: A very good command of the English language. Desirable: Working knowledge of another WHO and/or EURO official language.
Additional Information: * Any extension of appointment is subject to a) satisfactory performance, b) continued need for the function, and c) availability of funds. 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. Similar positions at the same grade may be filled using this vacancy notice. NB: All applications received from the earlier publication of this VN ie EURO/15/FT142 that closed on 11 April 2015 will be retained for this selection. Candidates need not re-apply - although are welcome to update their personal history profiles. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world. WHO's salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a base salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WHO: http://www.who.int - to learn more about WHO's operations http://icsc.un.org Click on: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 81,704 at single rate USD 87,948 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 43.9 % 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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