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 Workforce for Service Delivery in Health & long-term care (HWD) unit provides strategic direction, technical assistance,and tailored support to countries to improve access and quality for health and long-term care services delivered by a competent and sustainable workforce. It engages with professional bodies and patients to support the design and transformation of services which are geared to improve: patient experience of care across the health and social sector; health of the population, health care efficiency and the experience and engagement of the health and care workforce.In order to deliver these objectives aligned with the European Programme of Work and GPW 13 the unit focuses on supporting countries through the development of policies, strategies, tools and capacities in the areas of health workforce, (including nursing and midwifery and the public health workforce) to improve working conditions, retain and motivate the existing workforce; and align the education, training and production of the future workforce with population health needs, promote integration in service delivery to better bridge the divide between health systems and social care across the whole continuum of care, as well as supporting Member States efforts to put people at the centre of services.
The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (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 WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020-2025 - “United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens' expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping inperspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
With the overall aim to support progress towards Universal Health Coverage, and within the framework of the Biennial Collaborative agreement (BCA) as well as the overall vision outlined in the European Programme of Work, 2020-25 “United Action for Better Health in Europe”, to coordinate at country level and provide specialist technical and relevant input into the formulation of a disability inclusive, national rehabilitation policy. Key duties:
Support and contribute to optimal identification of areas for collaboration with the country within healthcare services delivery and health systems with focus on rehabilitation, access to assistive products and disability inclusive health approaches, to be addressed by the BCA and other projects in synergy with other CO colleagues.
Organize or assist in receiving, giving functional shelter, channelling, and supporting all types of WHO presence, visits and missions in the country related to the technical subject of disability and rehabilitation and monitor and follow-up the recommendations to ensure change.
Collect information, analyse, prepare and contribute in a regular and timely manner to the production of various types of technical materials including reports and situation analyses on disability, rehabilitation and assistive technology.
Contribute in any other relevant way to improved coordination within this area at national level.
Assist and contribute to certifying the correct, high technical quality, policy relevant and timely implementation of all tasks and activities in the technical area of disability and rehabilitation,including support to policy dialogue and capacity building carried out under the donor financed initiatives or in agreed partnerships with partners at country level.
Provide general as well as punctual technical support in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project on ‘Scaling-up access to rehabilitation and assistive technology' to the to the Ministry of Health and/or other relevant ministries, in coordination with HWD/CPS.
Provide technical specialist input, in coordination with HWD/CPS, to the Ministry of Health, other relevant ministries, UN agencies, development partners and civil society organizations in developing, implementing, and evaluating national strategies and policies on strengthening rehabilitation services and access to assistive products both at national and sub-national level.
Provide technical input to the development of priority assistive products list and its implementation within the national health services.
Build, maintain and strengthen regular contacts with institutions and associations concerned with disability and rehabilitation, including UN agencies, non-governmental agencies, professional associations,and scientific bodies for exchange of information and coordination of activities.
Provide general technical support to the other staff in the country office when needed, to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation of BCA.
Provide technical support to programmes within the country office in mainstreaming disability, rehabilitation in the regional health agenda.
Contribute as requested to specific promotion/fundraising efforts in the area of disability and rehabilitation at national level.
To perform other related duties within the scope and remit of the job, as assigned by the supervisor.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: University degree(Bachelor's level) in physical medicine and rehabilitation, medicine, public health, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or social sciences.
Desirable: Master's degree or postgraduate training in any of the above fields
Experience
Essential: At least two years of national work experience in the field of disability, rehabilitation, assistive technology policy and/or services.
Desirable: Relevant work experience in an international environment such as WHO /UN, governmental/public, intergovernmental organizations and/or non-governmental organizations. Demonstrated experience in drafting and implementation of national policies and regulatory documents especially in the sphere of health, rehabilitation, and assistive technology.
Skills
Demonstrated broad knowledge in the area of disability at national level,particularly in the context of rehabilitation and disability inclusive approaches within the national health system. Excellent analytical and writing skills. Demonstrated data management and data analysis skills.Demonstrated ability to interact appropriately with stakeholders at all levels, including high-level stakeholders, including senior officials and ministers. Good computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft 365 basic office package (word processing, spreadsheet, Power-point presentations). Ability to work comfortably in an international, multi-disciplinary and fast-paced environment. Emotional intelligence: Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Local Language.
