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 centered, 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 so as 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 Data and Digital Health (DDH) coordinates the digital health flagship and provides technical and policy guidance and expertise on the safety and efficacy of digital health solutions; and preserving health equity, gender equality, equity and human rights as core values in their deployment. Through its work it will support countries to leverage the use of digital technologies for improving the interface between people and health services; for improving health system performance; and for strengthening critical public health functions including disease surveillance, early warning and risk assessment. Furthermore, the unit is responsible for data collection, collation, analysis, presentation and dissemination. It will monitor and measure progress in achieving the SDGs and the triple billion goals whilst developing and implementing a measurement framework for the EPW. It will provide strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to countries to strengthen their capacity to be able to generate timely, credible, reliable and actionable data. The priority will be to strengthen health information systems in non-EU countries. The unit will engage with experts and partners both within and outside the Region to harness synergies, reduce data collection burden and fill important data gaps. It will seek to develop new approaches and methodologies including the use of big data to complement traditional methods for timely measurement and monitoring of health status and health system performance. It will also be responsible for ensuring timely and effective dissemination of health statistics to serve as a basis for planning and prioritization of activities in countries.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Provide strategic planning, leadership and capacity strengthening at the Regional Office in the implementation of the European Programme of Work Measurement Framework and the development and implementation of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization strategies in the area of data, metrics and analytics. Provide technical advice and support to European Member States with regard to strengthening national and sub-national capacities in data and health information. The incumbent facilitates timely implementation of all activities. Under the supervision of the Regional Adviser DDH, and overall guidance of the Director of the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems, the incumbent will assume the following responsibilities and achieve the following objectives:
Key duties:
- Provide scientific leadership, technical expertise and authoritative advice to countries in the development and implementation of national health information systems and provide assistance with the development of mechanisms, instruments and tools;
- Provide scientific and technical leadership in implementing the EU action โSupporting Member States in the WHO European region in strengthening health information systems and boosting health data governanceโ;ย
- Contribute to the overall CPS Divisional objectives and wider Regional Office objectives in the field of data and metrics and analytics to support the implementation of the set deliverables emanating from the European Programme of Work Measurement Framework by supporting the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework, including the development of new indicators;
- Advise and contribute to the production of data and health information products, in particular leading the publication of the European Health Reports and other statistical publications;
- Work together with technical programmes in EURO and WHO headquarters to ensure integration and exchange of statistical information available throughout the Organization and define standards for certain programme-specific data.
- To advise other WHO technical programmes on statistical aspects, including integration of programme-specific statistical information into one coherent system;
- Provide scientific leadership, technical expertise and authoritative advice to countries in developing their national health indicator databases and strengthen other components of their national health information systems(mostly through Biennial Collaborative Agreements BCAs), including systematic capacity building efforts, such as dedicated workshops;
- Provide technical support to regional and sub-regional health information networks as well as Member States in the understanding and application of health information systems assessment frameworks, tools, guidelines and procedures to improve country and regional health information access and use;
- Represent EURO with other international agencies in strategic health information activities, including developing common definitions and harmonizing data collection from joint Member States, in particular the European Commission and OECD;
- Mobilize resources to efficiently deliver services/products and develop activities at country and inter-country level within the relevant Programme Area budget envelopes; Performing other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: University degree (Master's level) in statistics, demography, epidemiology, public health, health systems or similar sciences.
Desirable: University degree (PhD's level) in public health or health systems.Experience
Essential: At least ten years working experience with increased responsibilities in data and health information, including 3 years at international level. Experience in the field of development, project funding and international partnerships. Track record of experience at progressively senior positions with implementation of data transformation at country level.
Desirable: Working experience with the UN system, in particular WHO, or other relevant international organizations or programmes. Demonstrated, relevant experience in the WHO European Region.Skills
- Excellent analytical, organizational, communication and negotiation skills.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian and German
REMUNERATION
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 92,731 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 6174 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.