Technical Officer (Data Science and Innovation)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the General Programme of Work.

The 13th General Programme of Work defines the mission of WHO as one to promote health, to keep the world safe, and to protect the vulnerable. The GPW calls for heightened accountability, prioritising impact and outcome at country level, and to improve the lives of three billion people, through universal health coverage, through addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations.

WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions\: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (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 European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out.

The Division of Information, Evidence, Research and Innovation (DIR) coordinates the work in health information, research and use of evidence in policy-making through the WHO network, the European Health Information Initiative (EHII). Under the direction of the Director, the Division is the secretariat for the EHII.

The objective of the Division of Information, Evidence, Research and Innovation is to facilitate production of health information as a corporate function of the Organization. All activities of DIR are conducted under the principles and work plan of the EHII. The EHII is a high-level mechanism which embodies the strategic direction of the division in the Regional Office and which has the support of Member States, the European Commission, the OECD and non-state actors. DIR provides Member States and EURO staff with reliable health information derived from health statistics and other sources of evidence on topics that are of interest both for Member States and the Organization. DIR manages the programmatic knowledge about information and evidence in the WHO Regional Office for Europe, including databases and information platforms in order to position the Regional Office as a leading reference in the field of international health. It coordinates health statistics and health information systems among the technical units in the Regional Office and with WHO Country Offices, and collaborates closely with national and international partners to harmonize and avoid duplication of efforts. DIR fulfils this function through maintaining databases, issuing publications, participating in professional networks, conducting research and providing knowledge and evidence platforms. This includes also the translation, publication and dissemination of information by various means. DIR maintains communication with National Counterparts in order to facilitate the flow of information from and to Member States. It closely links information, knowledge and evidence to the field of monitoring health status and facilitating health research.

The main objective of the Health Monitoring, Analysis and Dissemination (HMA) unit within the Division of Information, Evidence, Research and Innovation is to ensure (i) the collection of health statistics for policy-making; (ii) coordination of health information activities across major stakeholders; (iii) adequate dissemination and use of statistics and health information; and (iv) the integration of innovations, such as eHealth and digital health solutions, into the health and well-being domain by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, WHO headquarters, Member States, and WHO partners and related organizations. The Unit also supports capacity building activities as well as the creation and implementation of multi-country and multi-stakeholders health information related networks in the Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of the post is to contribute to the implementation of the strategy and activities in the area of health information and innovation which is a sub-unit within HMA. More specifically, the focus will be to support the implementation of data science, eHealth/digital health and innovation initiatives in the Division, ensuring provision of technical support to Member States and within the context of global programmes for data science, eHealth/digital health, health information, knowledge management and innovation.

Key duties\:

1. Provide technical, managerial and policy advice in the area of data science, eHealth, health information systems and innovation; coordinate project development and program activities required for the operationalization and accessibility of health information and eHealth systems and services;

2. Provide technical support and collaborate in developing national data science capacity (big data, data analytics and artificial intelligence -including machine learning-) in WHO Europe Member States and WHO Inter-Country and Country Offices.

3. Provide technical support to DIR, other divisions and Member States in promoting awareness, identifying opportunities, planning and implementing activities related to information systems for health and digital health to integrate data into the health and well-being sector in the Region;

4. Provide technical support in developing policies and guidelines to promote capacity building to maintain and implement health information systems and digital health solutions focus on data science;

5. Provide technical support and guidelines for development and implementation of interoperability standards for eHealth applications in Member States;

6. To liaise with WHO headquarters, other international organizations, WHO Collaborating Centres, partner with other technical partners (national research institutes, non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations and Non-State Actors, etc.) to strengthen the integration of health information systems and eHealth systems in WHO Europe Member States;

7. Create a network of Collaborating Centers on eHealth/digital health with the objective of identifying and analysing eHealth practices to promote good practices and synergies;

8. Monitor, search and disseminate information and trends on eHealth/digital health developments that may be applied for improving national health information systems;

9. Identify opportunities for collaboration in scientific, research and technical information production and knowledge sharing across the Organization, within WHO, with other UN organizations or with other partners; establish and maintain partnerships that promote and support such collaboration; provide assistance, when called upon, to institutions of WHO Europe Member States in the area of eHealth and innovation;

10. Provide technical support to health information networks under the EHII as well as Member States in the understanding and application of eHealth/digital health solutions, tools, guidelines and procedures;

11. Provide technical support and guidelines for development and implementation of digital health literacy skills in Member States;

12. Produce and disseminate educational briefing and training materials related to eHealth tools produced by DIR so as to facilitate and improve their use by WHO staff, public health professionals and other audiences; and

13. Carry out any other duties as required by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Advanced university degree (Master's level) in computer sciences, health informatics, information sciences or medical/science/public health degree.

Desirable\: Additional post-graduate training courses in data science (big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning), eHealth/digital health solutions (telehealth, electronic health records, mHealth, blockchain technologies), health informatics.

Experience

Essential\: At least seven years of combined national and international experience in developing and implementing projects on data science, eHealth/digital health and related areas, such as telehealth, electronic health records, mHealth, big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies. Demonstrated experience providing technical advice or drafting policy or proposals on data science or eHealth/digital health or related areas. Experience in communicating evidence and policy recommendations to policy makers senior or stakeholders. Demonstrated experience in leading or coordinating participatory processes/capacity building activities in any of the above-mentioned areas.

Desirable\: Relevant experience within the UN or other international or multinational organizations. Experience working in the European region. Experience working with the countries of the WHO European Region or with the Newly Independent States (NIS).

Skills

1. Demonstrated knowledge of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) applied to health and well-being systems and services (e.g. telehealth, electronic health records, mHealth, social media for public health, big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies).2. Knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries in Central and Eastern Europe.3. Demonstrated ability to work independently and produce high-quality results, even under challenging circumstances.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Promoting innovation and organizational learning

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of Russian.

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 72,637 (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 3051 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 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.