Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Digital Health and Innovation sits within the Science Division, led by Chief Scientist. The overall mission of the Science Division is to harness the power of science and innovation in a systematic way, by ensuring the excellence, relevance and efficiency of WHO's core technical functions, including norms and standards and research. Within the Division, the specific purpose of DHI is to harness the power of digital health and technologies to contribute to the attainment of the highest standard of health of all people.

The mandate of the department is structured aroundfour functions:

1. To enhance WHO's global leadership and role in assessing and enabling digital health technologies, and support countries to make decisions about how to prioritize, integrate, implement and regulate them.

2. To support development of methods for assessment of digital technologies, at global and national level.

3. To identify, foster and scale up evidence-based innovations, to address gaps in the attainment of Universal Heath Coverage (UHC), protection from health emergencies and the attainment of healthier populations.

4. To identify and foster internal and external collaboration through networks and partnerships to help identify and address gaps and avenues for digital health solutions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Unit Head, Innovation Hub in DHI the incumbent will be responsible for:

- Provide technical support on innovation in health and support implementation of the WHO Innovation in Health Strategy in the context of the WHO GPW13.

- Manage the process of introduction of new clusters of innovations and matching these with needs at country level, and populate a repository of related information.

- Coordinate the engagement of internal and external stakeholders (WHO RO/CO, technical departments, innovators and innovation funders/supporters) to jointly identify, scale and sustain mature, needs-based innovations.

- Coordinate the process related to setting up the Strategic Advisory Group on Innovation /SAG - Innovation), i.e. manage and structure information on candidates to support the selection process; prepare for the first meetings of the SAG.

- Develop, support and co-lead, as required, the implementation of other strategic innovation initiatives, such as culture change, capacity building on innovation, and staff engagement.

- Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree (ideally at Master's degree or above) in innovation, change management, business administration, a health technical area (such as public health), economics, law, behavioural science, international relations, social sciences, engineering, communications, or closely related field relevant to the functions of the position.
Desirable: Post-graduate coursework and/or certificate that complements the areas above-mentioned, i.e. innovation, change management, business administration, a health technical area (such as public health), economics, law, behavioural science, international relations, social sciences, engineering, communications, or closely related field relevant to the functions of the position.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of demonstrated, progressive professional work experience related to innovation in health and development, change management, technical programme development and execution, and multi-stakeholder engagement, with some of that in WHO, UN system or other international organizations. Experience in working in teams with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds
Desirable: Relevant professional experience at the regional and/or country level. Experience working with the private sector, in particular with innovators and/or innovation funders. Experience in scaling innovations.

Skills

- Knowledge and understanding of innovation in health and development, including social innovations, technology innovations, business model and process innovations, and the various enablers of innovation, including digital tools, and the requirements for successful scaling and sustaining of innovations.

- Track record of identifying innovations with the ability to accelerate impact in public health and development.

- Demonstrated capacity in project and change management.

- Excellent skills and knowledge in conceiving and implementing strategic partnerships, and advocacy and facilitation of cross-sectoral and multi stakeholder engagement.

- Demonstrated ability to work, lead and deliver results with drive, efficiency, flexibility and team spirit for collective and organizational mission achievement.

- Proven ability to conceive bold and impactful ideas and use entrepreneurial skills to drive the ideas to realization and results.

- Excellent written and oral communication skills and proven ability to convey complex matters in a compelling and engaging matter to different audiences.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Driving the Organization to a Successful Future

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 62,120 (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 4260 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• 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.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.