Health Systems Officer - Integrated Health Services - Jammu and Kashmir

Overview 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 aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving financial protection against health-related risks.

The Health Systems Team of the Country Office contributes to providing technical support in developing policies, strategies and activities in the area of health systems strengthening including, (i) advocating for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and building up national capacity in UHC-related matters (ii)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 UHC.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO:

WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

The South - East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India’s population of 1.3 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Maldives, Timor Leste, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Thailand), 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.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India:

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.3 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for UHC.

The Health Sustainable Developments Goals (h-SDG) have UHC as the overarching goal to achieve all other health related global targets. In order to achieve UHC, it is widely recognized that investments are needed in national health systems based on a strong primary health care model.

The 2017 National Health Policy reflects the commitment of the Government of India to progress towards UHC. The Ayushman Bharat Program aims to address health holistically by expanding a range of essential health services for Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and increasing financial protection through Health Insurance

WHO India is providing technical support to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India and NITI Aayog, amongst others, on ABP at the national level and select states.

The objective of the initiative is to provide technical assistance to the state government for health system strengthening and contributing towards achievement of UHC and health SDG’s.

Description of Duties:

In the context of the 13th General Programme of Work and within the framework of the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (2019-23), the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in:

• Accelerating progress on universal health coverage
• Promoting health and wellness by addressing determinants of health
• Better protect the population against health emergencies
• Enhancing India’s global leadership in health

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India, Deputy Head of WHO Country Office for India, Team Leader (Health Systems) and, in close collaboration with the Health Systems team (HS team) of WHO India. Under the direct supervision of NPO (Integrated Health Services), S/he will have the following responsibilities in her/his assigned area of work.

• Contribute to the operationalization and monitoring of state health policies and plans for timely implementation and scale up of the Ayushman Bharat Program, with attention to comprehensive Primary Health Care (PHC)
• Collaborate with other WCO technical teams and coordinate with Government Counterparts to provide implementational support to aspirational blocks in the Union Territory under the Governments’ Aspirational Blocks Programme
• Engage in policy dialogue and strategic interventions to strengthen state health systems for increasing range of service delivery (expanded package of services), and improving continuum of care
• Coordinate with Government Counterparts for progress on quality of care and patient safety, including NQAS certification of health facilities
• Develop context-specific service delivery models and workflow dynamics in both rural and urban settings with attention to gender, rights and equity principles
• Build capacity for analysis, development and planning of the health workforce, mid-level healthcare providers and comprehensive PHC teams
• Liaise with WHO HS team on providing support to the state on other HS related technical areas such as health financing, medicines and diagnostics, HIS
• Review and document good practices and contribute to implementation research initiative
• Advocate for, monitor and share information on progress towards SDGs and UHC
• Collaborate with and foster partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders for health systems strengthening at state level
• Undertake any other activities / tasks as assigned by the supervisors.

Education:

Essential: A university degree in health or social sciences and a master’s degree in public health or health systems and services.

Desirable: Post graduate degree in community medicine; health economics; health administration or in any of the fields related to the functions of the post.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions. The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Experience:

Essential: At least two years of demonstrable experience in delivering health care services and implementation of health programs at the district or state level. Relevant experience in health planning and monitoring.

Desirable: Seven years or more experience in policy, planning and monitoring of health systems and/or public health programs at the district or state level. Applicants having experience in working with government health officials, other health actors and working with UN agencies shall be at an advantage.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

Good understanding of the Indian health system, health policies and governance structures.

Excellent communication, teamwork and coordination skills as well as strong analytical skills and experience with technical reporting.

Language Skills:

Essential: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English, Hindi and Kashmiri will be an asset.

Remuneration:

Monthly remuneration is INR 218,855 taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he could be posted anywhere in India as per the project needs.

Health System Officer is a national of the country (India) in which he/she is to serve, is recruited locally and is not subject to assignment to any official station outside the home country. Only Indian nationals should apply.

Additional Information:

• This Vacancy Notice will be used for immediate filling of vacancies in Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir.
• This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce 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 workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversityequity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
• 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• 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.
• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.
• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.