World Health Organization Hiring for Regional Adviser (Digital Health) at New Delhi Full Time

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Overall goal of the Department of UHC/Health Systems is to strengthen health systems in ways that will advance progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) and the health-related Sustainable Development Goal 2030 targets in the 11 SEAR Member States and build resilience of health services. With the rapid advances in digital health and information and communication technology, the objective of the Digital Health unit is to facilitate use of digital technologies so as to strengthen health services and health systems in countries including improving access, quality, affordability and acceptability and empowering the citizens. The unit will provide technical leadership in embracing digital technologies, tailored to individual country’s needs and environment. The unit should be able to support Member States in developing/strengthening the digital health eco-system to leverage full potential of digital health to advance universal health coverage and other health-related SDG targets while safeguarding privacy, security and consistent with international human rights obligations.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of Director, Programme Management and the direct supervision of Director, Department of UHC/Health Systems, the incumbent will:

1. As the technical expert, lead and develop programme on digital health by horizon scanning of advances in digital technology that can enhance health systems and services, and to formulate appropriate intercountry and/or country activities for supporting digital health.

2. Be the technical lead and, in close collaboration with relevant technical departments/units and/or country offices, provide technical support to build capacity and to support implement and monitor activities related to digital health to improve health systems and service delivery in countries to achieve national health goals, UHC and related SDG targets.

3. Develop and/or adapt as appropriate technical guidelines, tools, and standards to foster cybersecure health information/data exchange and promote digital interoperability.

4. Engage in policy dialogue with policy-makers in Ministries of health and other ministries and government agencies in Member States, provide needed technical support and guidance towards advancing effective use of digital health to strengthen their capacity to take full advantage of digital health revolution.

5. Be the technical lead to collaborate closely with Headquarters Digital Health Department and build effective partnerships, coordinate across regional and international experts, policy-makers in Member States, other UN, multi- and bi-lateral agencies, intergovernmental organizations and institutions, non-governmental organizations, and relevant WHO Collaborating Centres towards the goal of UHC and achieving the health-related SDGs by enabling countries to take full advantage of the advances in digital health.

6. Synthesize related knowledge to strengthen the evidence base and produce policy-relevant documents on the matter as required, and contribute to the development of technical resources in enabling, adopting, assessing, and implementing appropriate digital health solutions.

7. Develop and disseminate communication strategies, content, and materials related to digital health, and provide regular updates on the progress of work on digital health.

8. Perform any other tasks as assigned by Director, Department of UHC/Health Systems.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree / advanced university degree in Computer Sciences or Information and Communication Technology or equivalent.
Desirable: Post graduate degree/doctorate degree in a discipline relevant to digital health/Master’s degree in public health.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of relevant experience in implementing digital technologies in health sector of which considerable experience should be in field of digital health strategy development or implementation of digital heath transformation at the country level.
Desirable: Experience in UN or other multi- or bilateral development agencies active in digital health as well as international experience of work in digital health domain particularly in the Member States of WHO South-East Asia Region.

Skills

Essential:

• Proven technical competence in digital technologies, digital health.
• Strong analytical skills to search across the global landscape for digital health advances.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability and willingness to work in with other health professionals and motivate teams in a multi-cultural environment

Desirable: Good knowledge of health systems, health data and digital health situation in the WHO SEAR Member States

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of regional language(s).

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 90,664 (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 2697 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 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.

• 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.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.