Team Leader (Health Systems) - World Health Organization (Apply by: April 18, 2016)

Vacancy Notice No: SE/CO/P/2016/FT8 Title: Team Leader (Health Systems) Grade: P5 Contract type: Fixed-term Appointment Duration of contract:  Two Years	Date: 28 March 2016 Application Deadline: 18 April 2016 (8 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  New Delhi, India   Organization unit: SEARO Countries (SE_ACO) / SE_IND WR Office, India (SE_IND)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans in the area of Health financing and Health systems strengthening. The WCO-India programme of work supports the GOI in :  Providing technical support in developing national policies, strategies and activities in the area of health financing and health systems strengthening.  Advocating for Universal Health Coverage and building up national capacity in UHC related matters.  Facilitating the adoption of evidence-based public health interventions as well as appropriate reforms/changes with a view to promote equity and accelerate the movement towards Universal Health Coverage. Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO All the Member States of WHO in the South East Asia 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 South - East Asia Region of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India's population of 1.2 billion. 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 Country Office for India Within the framework of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in: (i) developing and sustaining its 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. Organizational Context (Describe the work environment, the role of the individual within the team - team member, specialist, adviser, facilitator, coordinator/manager, representative, expert, authority in the field, etc) available guidelines and degree of independence in decision making, and nature and purpose of contact within and outside the Organization. In a context of striving towards improved efficiency and effectiveness, strengthened impact of WCO-India on population health and incentives to work horizontally at country level, the incumbent will work under the managerial oversight of his/her First Level Supervisor (Coordinator, Health Programmes) and within the scope, strategies and directions set by Second level supervisor (WHO Representative to India). The incumbent is expected to discuss strategic issues and new developments and orientations with supervisors. The incumbent has full responsibility in ensuring delivery of his/her expected results within relevant biennial programme budget and is expected to execute with full accountability the assigned approved workplans. The incumbent must exercise judgment in providing policy interpretation and make strategic and managerial recommendations, including new directions as needed, and to show creativity and imagination in proposing/participating in finding better ways for the development of new partnerships and initiatives and to actively share information and experiences with colleagues. Available guidelines: WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India and Programme Budget; WHO basic documents; WHO's General Programme of Work; WHO Manual and Staff Rules; resolutions and decisions of World Health Assembly, Executive Board and Regional Committee; technical documents in the programmes related to his/her responsibility; programme guidelines and National Legislative and Policy documents. As a member of the WCO for India team, the incumbent will lead the team focusing on areas with relevance to Health Systems (such as Stewardship, Health Financing, Service Delivery, Resource Generation) and work closely with staff working on Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases and other priority areas. The incumbent will maintain good relations and work closely with relevant national authorities and stakeholders as well as development partners. He/She will also have to maintain good working relations and regular contacts and coordinate activities across all levels of WHO. While regularly reporting to the CHP and discussing with him/her approaches and plans, on a day to day basis the incumbent will work autonomously taking appropriate decisions to facilitate the implementation of the relevant work plan and activities. Contacts inside the Organization: Country Offices, HQ, SEARO and other Regional Offices -all relevant Units. Contacts outside the Organization: Senior Officials of governmental bodies, other UN organizations and development partners, partner agencies and intergovernmental bodies, civil society, think tanks, WHO collaborating centers and other scientific institutions or experts.
Description of duties: Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India and the direct supervision of Coordinator, Health Programmes, with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India biennial workplans in accordance with WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India (2012-2017), , the incumbent will lead WCO-India team working on health systems and will have the following responsibilities: 1. Provide technical leadership and managerial support to the WHO Country office team working on health systems strengthening ( towards UHC, facilitate the development and the implementation of the relevant work plans under the WHO-GOI collaborative programme while promoting the integration of health programmes with health systems approaches, and ensure the monitoring and evaluation of related activities. 2. Promote the generation of evidence on health systems and contribute to informed policy decisions by government and provide cutting edge policy advice. Help improve the information system on health system performance and the monitoring of progress towards UHC and facilitate its integration into the national health information system. 3. Provide technical assistance and support for the development and adaptation to the country context of the relevant WHO's normative materials (including the production and/or adaptation of reports, guidelines, SOPs). 4. Liaise and coordinate with concerned technical units/ departments of MOH&FW, WHO/SEARO and WHO/HQ and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) to harmonise recommendations on policies and strategies related to health systems area. 5. Contribute to the management of WCO's knowledge and advise on matters regarding health system reforms across all functions and building blocks such as stewardship/governance (leadership and coordination, strategy development, regulations and laws as well as influencing other sectors to incorporate health concerns in their policies, monitoring and evaluation for public accountability of policy/implementation improvement); financing (revenue raising, risk and resource pooling, resource allocation and methods of payment); resource generation (technologies including pharmaceuticals, health workforce and knowledge management, health facilities, country health information systems and health metrics networks); and personal and population-based service delivery (primary health care, hospitals, public health services, etc.); 6. Ensure technical quality and relevance of contractual engagements with partners and institutions, make recommendations to the supervisors regarding WHO's support. 7. Collaborate with MOH&FW and selected states in undertake gap analyses in relevant areas of work and support capacity building efforts in these deficient areas to ensure that priorities are fulfilled. 8. Contribute to evaluating the impact of WHO's collaboration with India (aggregated and area specific) and to developing evaluation tools (e.g. defining the necessary performance indicators); 9. Support information brokering/exchange function of WCO India through contributions to the health information repository at the WCO India by collation, analysis and sharing of relevant health information and statistics. 10. Contribute to the external relationships, representation, communication and advocacy work of the WCO aimed at improving health system transparency and accountability; 11. Prepare administrative and technical reports and presentations and undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisors.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: Advanced University degree in Health or Social Sciences or Economics or Management and other relevant areas. Desirable: Post graduate degree (PHD) in Health or Social Sciences or Economics or Management and other relevant areas would be an asset. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an accredited institution. The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/
Skills:  Functional Skills and Knowledge: The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization. Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard to health system organization with good understanding of country's needs and priorities, of issues and policies related to Universal health Coverage. Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas. Good knowledge of the administrative functioning of government institutions and related departments/agencies, and of the other partners in India. Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence. Public health leadership skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and international levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical issues. Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors. Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment. Modern management skills (team management, performance management, planning,evaluation, etc).Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare and monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements. Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports. Knowledge of WHO /UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage. Competencies: - Teamwork - Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences - Communication - Producing results - Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Other skills (e.g. IT): Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications, especially Excel computer skills for making high quality data analysis and technical presentations.
Experience: Essential: At least 10 years of work experience with progressive responsibility, including considerable experience obtained in an international context, in policy analysis and advice as well as technical assistance to countries, including capacity building; and contribution to normative work on support country policy and technical assistance. Desirable: Experience of work in UN and/or other international organizations
Languages: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English
Additional Information: 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 Mobility 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.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 82,586 at single rate USD 88,898 with primary dependants For Apply: Click Here