Regional Adviser (Health Workforce & Service Delivery)

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2603714
• Grade: P5
• Contractual arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
• Contract duration: 2 years
• Organization: EU/DHS Division of Health Systems
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Sep 27, 2026, 10:59:00 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

The Division of Health Systems supports countries in developing resilient, people-centred health systems that ensure people can access the right care in the right place and at the right time without financial hardship, across all life stages. It provides policy guidance and technical support on health financing, workforce, mental health, data, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health, and access to medicines. Health Workforce and Service Delivery supports countries in building future-ready health systems with the right workforce, service models and tools in place. The unit provides technical support across hospital, rehabilitation, long-term and palliative care, while leveraging AI and digital tools to improve clinical practice, ease provider workloads and inform health workforce planning. It anchors its work in the five pillars of the Frame work for Action on the Health and Care Workforce in the WHO European Region2023-2030 (EUR/RC73/8; adopted in resolution EUR/RC73/R1), with a strong emphasis on compassionate, person-centred care.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• To ensure strategic leadership and capacity of the WHO Regional Office for Europe in the area of Health Workforce and Health Service Delivery as enablers for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 
• To advise WHO European Member States on a strategic and technical basis with regard to strengthening national and sub-national capacities in developing and implementing policies, strategies, tools and capacities in relation to Human Resources for Health and health service delivery within a health systems approach. 
• Lead the development and implementation of regional strategies, policies and frameworks on health workforce and service delivery, providing strategic and technical guidance to Member States to strengthen health systems and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
• Provide expert technical leadership on health workforce and service delivery policies and reforms, including workforce planning, education and training, competencies, retention, mobility and migration of health workers, and integrated people-centered service delivery models. 
• Guide and support Member States in strengthening national and sub-national capacities for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health workforce and service delivery policies, strategies, tools and innovative approaches adapted to country needs. 
• Oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of regional priorities and frameworks related to health workforce and service delivery, ensuring technical excellence, quality assurance and coherence with WHO standards, policies and normative guidance. 
• Lead the generation, analysis and dissemination of evidence and intelligence on health workforce and service delivery, including workforce data, information systems, indicators, research agendas and policy-relevant knowledge products to inform decision-making. 
• Direct the development of authoritative technical publications, policy briefs, guidance documents and advocacy materials, promoting the uptake of evidence-based approaches and good practices across the Region. 
• Represent WHO/Europe and serve as the principal regional focal point for health workforce and service delivery, building and maintaining effective partnerships with Member States, academic institutions, professional associations, international organizations and other stakeholders.
• Provide strategic leadership for cross-programmatic and intersectoral initiatives, fostering collaboration across WHO programmes, country offices, headquarters, and external partners to advance resilient health systems and integrated service delivery. 
• Manage programme planning, implementation and performance, including resource mobilization and stewardship of financial and human resources, ensuring the effective delivery of country and intercountry workplans and achievement of agreed results.
•  Perform other relevant duties deriving from the above-mentioned responsibilities, as assigned by the Director.
   

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Masters) in health systems management, medicine, nursing, public health,social sciences, or related subjects
Desirable: Doctorate in health systems,public health, health policy, politicalscience or health economics

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of combined national and international working experience in the area of health systems, including specific expertise in health workforce and health services. Senior leadership position in public administration or relevant international institutions. Experience of advising on policy issues related to health systems and health workforce issues in lower-and middle-income countries. Experience in health systems and health workforce analysis, planning, management and research. At least 10 years' experience of project and program management, including mobilization of human and financial resources. Proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed international journals on health systems, health workforce and service delivery.
Desirable: Experience working across the diversity of the European Region, e.g., in European Union countries, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, is a strong asset. Experience in developing multi-sectoral policy, governance mechanisms and approaches to improve population health and well-being.

Skills

• Proven experience in policy development and implementation in the areas of health workforce and service delivery. 
• In-depth knowledge of political, social and health systems of countries in the European Region. 
• Ability and willingness to work in a team with other health professionals and motivate people of different nationalities and cultures. 
• Knowledge of standard text, spreadsheet and presentation software applications. 
• Knowledge of the WHO and UN system would be an asset.
   

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
  Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
  Communication
  Promoting innovation and organizational learning
  Producing results
  Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

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 103,165 (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 6413 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 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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