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:
Investing in health to reduce poverty.
Building individual and global health security.
Promoting universal coverage, gender equality and health related human rights.
Tackling determinants of health.
Strengthening health systems and equitable access.
Harnessing knowledge, science and technology.
Strengthening governance, leadership and accountability.
WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions:
Providing leadership on global health matters.
Shaping the health research agenda.
Setting norms and standards.
Articulating evidence-based policy options.
Providing technical support to countries.
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, on the demand side, 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. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate.

Mission of the WHO Regional Office for Europe and Objective of the Division of Country Health Systems:

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 objective of the Division of Country Health Systems (DCS) is to assist the Member States of the WHO European Region to design, adopt and implement comprehensive health and health systems policies, strategies and tools in line with the values of solidarity, equity and participation. The DCS provides policy and technical assistance in collaboration with development partners and Civil Society Organizations.

The Division of Country Health Systems consists of two Units: (i) Country Policies and Systems Unit, and (ii) Health Intelligence Services Unit.

The objective of the Country Policies and Systems Unit (CPS) is to develop in EURO the strategic capacity to assist Member States to design, establish and promote comprehensive health and health systems policies; to enable countries to benefit from international experience in reforming their health systems stressing quality, accessibility and efficient use of resources; and to assist the countries to manage emergency situations ensuring that international aid, when necessary is used in line with the country's health policy framework. CPS contributes to the development of a European policy and knowledge base in the broad thematic areas of health systems governance, financing, organization, service delivery and resource generation, in collaboration with other relevant international, regional, national and non-governmental partners.

The Barcelona Office for Health Systems Strengthening (the Barcelona office) is a part of the CPS Unit. It offers analysis and capacity building at country level to improve health system policy decision making processes and related institutional development in Member States. It promotes better performing health systems by applying a comprehensive, functionally coherent and results-oriented approach in the implementation of country and intercountry workplans related to relevant Strategic Objectives.

Description of duties:

The successful candidate will, under the broad guidance and supervision of the Head of the Barcelona Office for Health Systems Strengthening, provide technical assistance and support to the MSs.
 To strengthen national capacity in the identification of appropriate financing and related health system mechanisms relevant to the countries' needs and circumstances, including sources of funds/revenue collection, pooling of funds, purchasing of services, policy on benefit entitlement and patient cost-sharing, and associated organizational and institutional features of health systems.
 To develop and improve MSs health systems performance at all levels (of the system) through the provision of appropriate policy advice, the development of relevant technical tools, models of good practice, capacity building, training and networking opportunities.
 To develop sustainable approaches for institutionalizing health financing policy analysis and development capacity within MSs.
 To develop evidence-based tools/strategies in support of this process and to provide services that are responsive and appropriate to country needs.
 To support MSs in their efforts to mitigate the effects of poverty in the health sector.
 To contribute to the development of European health financing and health reform policies in collaboration with relevant partners, including HQ, other regional offices, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, other international and bilateral agencies, and relevant institutions.
 To produce health financing system descriptions and analyses for WHO's Country Strategic Health System Needs Assessments.
 To contribute to technical and knowledge development in health financing and health systems among staff and senior decision-makers in MSs and within the Office.
Under the guidance and supervision of the Unit Head, Country Policies and Systems, ensure a continuous updating of situation analyses and related health system needs in selected countries and function as a WHO-wide "strategic desk officer" for these countries.
 To identify, in collaboration with countries, priority areas for inclusion in Biennial Collaborative Agreements.
 To collaborate with WHO's technical programmes to ensure a coherent "health systems approach" in all aspects of WHO support to these countries.
 To lead policy dialog with health ministries/ministers and partner agencies on fundamental reform of health financing policy.
 In order to carry out above duties and achieve expected results, Health Economist (Senior Financing Specialist) will interact and develop alliance with sensitive stakeholders both at national and international levels.
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:

Essential: Post-graduate degree (i.e. Master's or Doctorate) in health economics, health policy, public health, medicine, or related field.
Desirable: Doctorate
 
Skills:
Competencies required:

1. Producing results:

Demonstrated ability to produce workable and high-quality solutions that meet client needs; monitors progress against objectives and handles problems effectively, taking corrective action when necessary.

2. Communicating in a credible and effective way:

Proven abilities to provide sound policy and technical advice to institutions and governments, to engage senior health policy makers in constructive dialog, and to translate complex conceptual issues into understandable language for non-specialists; track record of presentations at national and international workshops and seminars; history of high quality, policy relevant and concise technical reports.

3. Promoting WHO's position in health leadership:

Proven ability to exhibit leadership and crediblity in dealing with persons inside and outside of WHO, and in so doing gaining their agreement on desired courses of action.

4. Promoting innovation and organizational learning:

Proven abilities in the design and delivery of health policy and systems training activities

5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond:

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain mutually beneficial work relationships and alliances inside and outside the Organization, creating synergies to improve results.

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

Proven skills in developing and assessing health financing proposals.
Ability to work harmoniously with international and national counterparts from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Proven abilities in designing, delivering, and institutionalizing health finance policy training activities (e.g. seminars, courses and workshops) in countries and to engage senior health policy makers in constructive dialog.
Knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the former USSR, including direct work experience in these countries.

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

Computer literacy in word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.

 
Experience:

Essential:
10-15 years of progressive working experience in low and/or middle income countries undertaking policy analysis, policy advisory work, teaching, and development/institutionalization of capacity building activities in the area of health financing and health policy analysis.

Desirable:Working experience on the above topics in countries of the Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, and the former Soviet Union would be an asset. Knowledge of the WHO and UN system would be an asset, as would experience of working with or in other multi- and bilateral development agencies active in the health sector.
 
Languages:

English Excellent knowledge of English required.

Working knowledge of Russian, Turkish or other language of Central and Eastern Europe languages would be an asset. 
Additional Information:
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.
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.

 Annual salary: (Net of tax)
75432 USD at single rate
81197 USD with primary dependants  Post Adjustment: 44.1 % 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. 

 
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. 

 
Applications from women and from nationals of non- and under-represented member states are particularly encouraged. 
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.