Technical Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research is a hosted partnership situated in the Science Division, aiming to promote the generation and use of health policy and systems research (HPSR) as a means to improve developing country health systems. Specifically, the objectives of the Alliance HPSR are to: Stimulate the generation and synthesis of policy-relevant health systems knowledge, encompassing evidence, tools, and methods; Promote the dissemination and use of health policy and systems research knowledge to improve the performance of health systems; Facilitate the development of capacity for the generation, dissemination, and use of HPSR knowledge among researchers, policy-makers and other stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Under the guidance of the Policy Advisor, the Technical Officer will undertake day to day execution of the Alliance portfolios on implementation research.
• Specifically, s/he will provide crucial technical support to processes of priority setting, capacity building, research, and knowledge utilization activities in low and middle-income countries.
• S/he will develop, and coordinate the development of relevant documents, reports, and journal publications, and make presentations on the work of this portfolio to diverse audiences as needed.
• S/he will liaise with in-country and international partners, research institutes, policymakers, and funders to advance the aims of this portfolio.
• S/he will also perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director of the Alliance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education

• Essential: University Degree (bachelor's level or above) in a field relevant to Public Health or Health Policy.
• Desirable: Higher degree in a field related to Public Health, Health Policy, Health Systems Research.

Experience

Essential:

• At least five years' experience in public health, infectious diseases, implementation research, digital health, and pandemic preparedness and response.
• Experience in engaging with initiatives and networks for implementation research, and working with national and subnational leaders.
• Research coordination and management experience in a department, organization, or project/consortium engaged in international development work.

Desirable:

• Relevant experience at the global, regional, and/or country level with an international organization.

Skills

• Good knowledge of Implementation Research approaches and methods and HPSR issues relevant to low- and middle-income countries.
• Good understanding of the requirements of working with policy and decision-makers and stimulating the use of evidence, especially in developing countries.
• Good knowledge of digital health, infectious diseases, and pandemic preparedness.
• Excellent communication skills, especially written.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
  
  Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
  
  Communication
  
  Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Expert knowledge of Spanish. Intermediate knowledge of WHO official language.

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 64,121 (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 4419 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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: Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff 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 ) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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
• 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 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 also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit:
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• 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
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