Senior Officer (Data monitoring and Analysis) - P5  

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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 "Supporting Member States in the WHO European region in strengthening health information systems and boosting health data governance"; 
• 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.
• Diplomatic and technical skills in negotiating with Ministries of Health, and other ministries.
• In-depth knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries of the European Region.
• Indepth technical knowledge of health information governance and policy
• Excellent technical knowledge across the broad area of data and health information and their applications to public health and health systems
• Proven skills inleading scientific working groups, consensus building and development of policy guidelines.
• Knowledge of the WHO and UN structure and functions.
• Emotional awareness: the ability to identify and harness one's emotions and apply them to tasks; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes both regulating one's own emotions when necessary and helping others to do the same.
• Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment.

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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 also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
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