Adviser on Health Policy

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2603938
• Grade: P4
• Contractual arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
• Contract duration: 2 years
• Organization: EU_UKR WHO Country Office, Ukraine
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Sep 30, 2026, 5:59:00 PM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO’s work in countries operationalizes the General Programme of Work (GPW14) and the European Programme of Work 2025-2029 (EPW2). GPW14 focuses on accelerating progress toward Health for All by strengthening systems for health, improving access to essential services, advancing preparedness and resilience, and reducing health inequalities. EPW2, endorsed at RC75 following extensive consultation with Member States, reaffirms WHO/Europe’s role in bringing unique value to countries through five core functions:
1.    International knowledge hub for health – providing authoritative evidence, norms, policies and best practices from across the Region and globally to inform national public health decision-making.
2.    Impartial coordinator for everyone’s health – convening national stakeholders and partners to align strategies and support coherent, multisectoral responses to shared health challenges.
3.    Leader in tracking and managing cross-border health threats – supporting surveillance, preparedness, and coordinated action on public health emergencies in line with the Preparedness 2.0 agenda.
4.    Driver of health system transformation – advising national authorities on evidence-informed reforms and policies that strengthen health systems and improve performance.
5.    Voice for health equity – helping countries identify who is being left behind and integrating equity considerations into health policies and strategies.

In this context, WHO Country Offices enable the translation of global and regional commitments into national action. They support Member States by providing strategic advice, convening dialogue across sectors and partners, connecting national authorities with WHO’s technical expertise, and facilitating the use of evidence and best practices to inform policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

WHO country offices support national authorities to shape their health policy in line with WHO’s principles and values and advocate for an integrated approach to health development.
The Adviser on Health Policy will provide the head of the WHO country office and ministry of health with technical support and mobilize expertise for policy advisory services for the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies, and plans (NHPSP) to strengthen the country’s health system, moving towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Key duties: 

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.

•    Work in coordination with all technical focal points at regional and headquarters levels, under the guidance of the head of the WHO country office.
•    Provide and mobilize technical advice to the government and national stakeholders on the design, implementation, and evaluation of national health policies for health system strengthening to move towards universal health coverage (UHC), by:
o    Strengthening the capacity of national stakeholders to organize and lead an effective health policy dialogue and reform the implementation process (including by developing strategic intelligence on key health system reform issues, focusing on priority areas of health financing, public health, primary care, health workforce and governance)
o    the development of an aligned, service-delivery vision to strengthen public health and primary care services so as to better prevent and control communicable and  noncommunicable diseases; and the transformation of health financing arrangements for universal health coverage, including improving governance and accountability
o    the alignment of other critical system functions such as human resource and accessible policies for medicines and technologies, as well as strengthened governance arrangements;
o    the improvement and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework for health systems strengthening, agreeable to all stakeholders, with communicable and noncommunicable diseases health targets, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
o    the provision of models and approaches in evidence- informed, health policy implementation and health systems’ strengthening to facilitate learning and capacity building in policy making at national level
o    the identification of synergies and networking between the WHO country office and other UN organizations, non-state actors, and international donors towards the implementation of health systems transformation at the country-level.
•    Establish and strengthen links and partnerships with public and private institutions, non- governmental agencies and scientific bodies, for the exchange of  information, coordination of activities and implementation of sector wide approaches.
•    Demonstrate the impact of reforms on health outcomes and UHC through facilitating impact evaluations in the areas of health financing, public health, and primary  care.
•    Given the context of the War /emergency in Ukraine and the fast-moving environment in which this job function is carried out, additional responsibilities may need to be given to this function.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (master’s level) in public health, health systems/services administration, health management or health related field or formal, equivalent qualifications in International/global health policy or in similar fields.

Desirable: Post-graduate training or specialization in health systems and/or health planning, management, or health economics.

Experience:

Essential: A minimum of seven years of work experience relevant to the position (such as in health-sector policy, strategy development, and planning), with some of it obtained in an international work environment. Specific experience required in health financing. A minimum of four years of experience is required in a governmental institution or international organization serving either (i) resource-limited countries or (ii) middle-income countries.

Desirable: Experience in health sector assessments analyses, evaluation, and reporting. A track record in consensus building and enlisting cooperation by diverse national stakeholders. Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained at an international level.

Competencies:

Teamwork
Respecting & promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond
Ensuring the effective use of resources 

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• Technical knowledge and skills in policy formulation and implementation.
• Technical knowledge and skills in planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.
• Knowledge of primary- healthcare-based health systems, health systems transformation and reform.
• Knowledge of health financing policy analysis for universal health coverage.
• Technical expertise in planning, monitoring and evaluating health systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication, including for reports, presentations and technical documents.
• Ability to provide sound methodological and technical guidance in Health Policy to multiple stakeholders and partners in countries.
• Ability to integrate, synthesize, and communicate health-policy concepts and ideas.
• Technical knowledge and skills in planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday.

 

Use of Language Skills:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Information and technology (IT) and other skills

Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday.

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 84,672 (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 3,055 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

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• 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: http://www.whed.net/. 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 eManual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers a 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.

• 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.

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