The overall objective of the HWF Programme is to support Member States in the WHO African Region to improve the availability of quality, equitably deployed, stable, and effectively utilized health workers for the delivery of health services towards the attainment of UHC, health security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Programme achieves this through the provision to Member States of up-to-date, evidence-based guidance on the education and performance of health workers; the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies, strategies, frameworks and plans for the health workforce, within the context of health systems resilience, health emergencies and universal health coverage; through technical assistance and guidance for implementing innovative, quality HWF education and training systems including for leadership and management of the health workforce. The Programme supports the shaping of the HWF agenda, harmonizing approaches and increasing resources mobilized and investments; promotes accountability for the generation, analysis, and use of Health Workforce Intelligence (HWI) at all levels of health care delivery, and produces reports on trends in the development and evolution of the HWF agenda and progress towards national, regional, and global targets, documenting and sharing best practices. These services are provided to guide Member States in making operational and capital investments necessary to address HWF challenges in education, employment, equitable deployment, retention and utilisation, and protection and safety to support the attainment of universal health coverage and ensure health security and resilience of the health system. These are anchored in: (1) providing cutting-edge and contextually relevant technical support to Member States, (2) generating strategic evidence/intelligence to inform our technical guidance and (3) strengthening WHO's leadership in shaping the HWF agenda in the region. The trademark of our work will be tailored and intensified support to Member States, contextually relevant strategic evidence for action, and leading the agenda for action.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:
Develop best-practice and evidence-based guidance on various aspects of health workforce management, including recruitment, job analysis, development of job descriptions, scheme of service, deprived area incentive schemes and health workforce wellbeing and safety;
Support countries in strengthening their HWF strategic management capacity for efficient health service delivery;
Strengthen the capacity of HWF stewardship, leadership and management systems (MOH units; technical and management capacities);
Support countries in the development and implementation of effective HR management systems for recruitment, equitable deployment and utilisation and productivity of health workers;
Support countries in the development and implementation of health workforce motivation and retention strategies, including remuneration packages, monetary and non-monetary incentives;
Support countries in establishing and strengthening the regulatory bodies and professional associations for health professions in order to enhance the quality of the health workforce and quality of health services;
Support Member States in the development of mechanisms for managing health workforce mobility (internal and international migration), including the implementation of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the international recruitment of personnel;
Advocate for improvement of working conditions and safety of the health workforce.
Contribute to the development and adaptation of evidence-based methodologies and tools for health workforce analysis;
Contribute to health workforce data collection and analysis, including and using health labour market evidence to strengthen health workforce management and retention;
Contribute to the development, monitoring and evaluation of health workforce policies, strategies and investment plans;
Support the development, optimization and professionalization of community health workers;
Perform other related responsibilities as assigned in his/her area of expertise, including replacing and backstopping others as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: An advanced university degree (Masters) in Health, Social Sciences, Human Resources, Leadership, Management or a closely related field.
Desirable: PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields with advanced training in Health Systems Management, Public Administration, Organizational Development, Labour Relations or Labour Economics.
Experience
Essential: A minimum of seven years' relevant experience in managing human resources in complex organizations or systems in the public sector at the national and international levels, complemented with experience in developing retention studies and retention packages as well as experience job design and job descriptions.
Desirable: Experience in engaging health professions regulatory institutions at strategic level, complemented by experience in analysing HWF mobility in the UN System or intergovernmental agencies.
Skills
Demonstrated skills in the application of multi-methods approaches to problem-solving related to public health issues, as well as in planning and monitoring of public health indicators, complemented by knowledge of public health policy, planning, governance;
Broad knowledge and technical ability in managing health Workforce issues, particularly in relation to public sector workforce management processes, motivation and retention;
Knowledge of developmentand evaluation of proposals and promoting the development of national capabilities complemented by advocacy and negotiation skills.
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.
