NPO Human Resources for Health Officer at the World Health Organization (WHO)

World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: NPO Human Resources for Health Officer

Ref No: 1703396
Location: Abuja
Grade: NO-C
Contractual Arrangement: Temporary Appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract duration: 12 Months
Schedule: Full-time 

Objectives of the Programme

• The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office of Nigeria entered into a grant arrangement with the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) whereby, for a period of five years (March 2014 through May 2019), WHO - in partnership with the Population Council and the Global Health Workforce Alliance (GHWA) - will support the project titled: ‘Enhancing The Ability of Frontline Health Workers to Improve Health in Nigeria’.
• The project focuses on improving the health situation in Nigeria, targeting specifically the personnel needed to deliver maternal, newborn and child health care services at primary level in Bauchi and Cross River States.
• More states have approached the country office to provide similar support especially for attainment of accreditation of health workforce training institutions.

Description of Duties
Under the overall guidance of the WHO Country Representative, and direct supervision of the Cluster Leader and Adviser of the Health Systems Strengthening Cluster (HSS/HSA) at the WHO Country Office in Abuja, (HSS/HSA is the overall overseer of the HRH project) the incumbent will be responsible for:

• Advise on and facilitate all technical aspects related to HRH within HSS cluster work plan and specifically in support of the WHO-DFATD project as cited under the post purpose above.
• Supporting the implementation and further development of Project implementation Plan (PIP) and Annual Work Plans (AWP).
• In close consultation with HSS Cluster Leader/Adviser, facilitate/support the process of reviewing national Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy and Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate linkages and adaptation of national HRH Policy and Strategic Plan in states with an emphasis on their implementation whilst focusing on Bauchi and Cross States in close collaboration with FMOH, SMOH and relevant partners and stakeholders.
• Facilitate advocacy with high level officials ( policy/decisions makers) in Bauchi and Cross River states on evidence-based gender mainstreamed HRH policy, strategic planning and other health workforce processes/programmes .
• Facilitate the processes of HRH projections with the use of WHO computerized projection models as part of evidence-based and gender mainstreamed health workforce planning in Bauchi and Cross River States.
• Facilitate strengthening of process of Workload Indicator for Staffing Needs (WISN) in states focusing on Bauchi and Cross River States in order to provide evidence for staffing standards and equitable distribution of health workers.
• Support Bauchi and Cross River States in the translation and implementation of relevant national HRH Policies, strategies and guidelines among them Task Shifting/Sharing Policy and National Health Workforce Registry (working in close collaboration with implementing partners).
• Support capacity building in Bauchi and Cross River States including training of relevant managers to enhance skills for effective formulation, implementation and management of evidence-based and gender-mainstreamed HRH policies and plans also using national HRH training manuals building capacity of training HRH managers (F/M) in the states, as well as FMOH).
• Work with HRH Officers in Bauchi and Cross River to support capacities and accreditation of existing health training institutions (HTIs) to enable them produce sufficient, qualified, gender mixed frontline health workers.
• Support competencies and capacities of professional associations and regulatory bodies to contribute to effective management of frontline health workers, with a focus on Bauchi and Cross River States.
• Facilitate increased HRH partnerships and stakeholder involvement in Bauchi and Cross river States through establishment/strengthening MoH-led HRH Coordination mechanisms, harmonized health workforce initiatives and joint HRH reviews.
• Support increased capacity for policy dialogue, coordination and mobilization of human resources for health in Bauchi and Cross River State
• Prepare consolidated analytical quarterly and annually technical reports of performed activities as per given TORs and also contribute to the compilation and production of the technical reports for submission to DFATD as described in the MoU between DFATD and WHO (working in close collaboration with the Programme Manager under the supervision of the HSS Cluster leader).
• Support preparation of technical reports for the Project Technical Group (TG) and Project Steering Committee (PSC), also in following up technical implementation of the recommendations of the TG and PSC accordingly.
• Undertake regular missions to support implementation and provide supportive supervision of the project in Bauchi and Cross River States based on PIP and AWPas well as other states that have requested WHO support.
• Any other relevant duty assigned to him/her by the supervisor(s).

Organizational Context

• The NPO HSS/HRH Officer will work within the Health systems strengthening cluster in the WHO Country Office in Nigeria and assigned responsibility at Bauchi/Cross River State.
• The incumbent will provide technical advice contributing towards health system strengthening generally and specifically health workforce improvement at the state-level.
• He/She will support state authorities specifically in health workforce planning, monitoring, management and development strengthening aimed at improving maternal and child health care.
• He/she will also work in close collaboration with technical officers in the WCO HSS cluster and other technical clusters state-level experts to enable successful Project objectives attainment.

Education (Qualifications)
Essential:

• At least Master Degree in Health Workforce Education or Human Resources for Health  Policy/Planning/Management or Health Systems Management.

Desirable:

• PhD in Health Workforce Education or Human Resources for Health Policy/Planning/Management or Health Systems Management.
• A postgraduate diploma or degree in gender mainstreaming in health or in human resources will be advantageous.

Experience
Essential:

• At least 5 years working experience in Human Resources for Health as educator of health professionals, HRH planning & management, and/or in health systems management with a focus on policy formulation and planning in the health sector.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the Nigerian health system including health workforce development and management context.

Desirable:

• Project development and management in the areas mentioned above; experience of working in related areas with WHO, other UN agencies or other recognized international organization will be advantageous.

Languages:

• Essential: Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Competencies:

• Producing results
• Teamwork
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Skills:

• Technical expertise in planning, monitoring and evaluating health systems especially health workforce management and development.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the Ministry of Health and with a wide variety of stakeholders at state level
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize and communicate complex concepts and ideas verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological, technical advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners in countries.
• Proficiency in key computer applications. Computer abilities such as word processing and working with spread-sheets; familiar with computerized human resources projection models, Workload Indicator on Staffing Needs (WISN), excellent report writing skills.

Application Closing Date
24th October, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online