National Professional Officer (Policy & Legislation)

Описание

Job Posting

Closing Date

Primary Location

Organization

Schedule

Purpose of the Position
Within the context of the WHO Country Office, the incumbent will support the growing need regarding review and adaptation of the existing health policies, as well as development of new health regulation in scope Ukraine's legislative approximation towards the EU integration.

Job Description
Under the leadership of the Head of WHO Country Office and supervision of the responsible Technical Officer within the Health Programmes division at the WCO, the incumbent will provide technical support and facilitate the implementation of country activities in the area of Health Policies, Governance and Partnerships Coordination from Kyiv Duty Station. A certain level of independence in decision-making is envisaged once the probationary period has successfully passed, as the individual is to maintain regular contact with national and international counterparts and to represent organization in the regular follow-ups. In particular, the incumbent has to exercise judgement in adapting or modifying relevant WHO guidelines and EU acquis to the country context. Given that health is included across several chapters of the EU acquis, within the scope of duties, the incumbent will support cross-office coordination and alignment of activities in the areas of public health, blood safety, health financing, AMR tobacco control, thus, a wide range of contacts within the organization is expected.

Organizational context 
Under supervision and guidance of responsible Technical Officer, regular contacts are maintained with country health authorities (at own level of responsibilities) to provide and obtain necessary information, coordinate project implementation and support activities related to facilitation of the health sector coordination mechanisms. Upon request from HWO, the incumbent can be expected to have contacts with counterparts in the country to represent WHO. Guiding documents for the work include the Biannual Collaborative Agreement 2024-2025; Ukraine Country Cooperation Strategy 20203-2030, the European Health Policy - Health 2020; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); WHO's e-Manual including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for WHO' work in emergencies; WHO's Staff Rules and Regulations.

Summary of Assigned Duties 
Within the context of the WHO Country Office, the incumbent will support the growing need regarding review and adaptation of the existing health policies, as well as development of new health regulation in scope Ukraine's legislative approximation towards the EU integration. Health is a central theme in five key chapters of the EU acquis, necessitating specialized and ongoing support in adapting the regulation according to EU requirements and best practices. With 347 out of over 1,500 acts and regulations requiring reform, Ukraine faces the substantial challenge of aligning its public health and healthcare systems with EU standards. In this regards, WHO will serve as trusted partner of the Ministry of Health, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and Parliament, providing support in navigating the path to EU accession. 

Key duties will include:

1.Facilitate coordination and ensure cross-cutting cooperation between all WCO technical units in supporting the Ministry of Health (MOH), National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU), Ukrainian Public Health Center (UPHC), State Expert Center of Ukraine (SEC) in identifying relevant the EU acquis and national regulatory framework requiring review and adaption, as well as developing new health policies according to the EU acquis requirements, EU Commission reports and existing best practices;

2.Support the MOH and other national health counterparts in conducting assessments, mapping and other activities aimed at identifying current regulatory gaps and inconsistencies in the process of Ukraine's approximation towards EU membership, including collecting relevant information from WCO and other relevant WHO counterparts;

3.Support the MOH and other national health counterparts in conducting policy dialogues on transition of Ukrainian health system towards EU approximation, organization of working groups, roundtables, joint meetings (online, offline, hybrid) on transition period, technical health-related matters and legal provisions to be reformed and/or amended in scope of EU accession;

4.Provide support function to the WR in facilitating partner and stakeholder coordination with organizations involved in the process of Ukraine's accession into the European Union;

5.Contribute to the preparation of written products (reports, discussion papers, technical notes) on health in EU accession, contributing to organization of surveys and studies, providing inputs and reviewing the products, obtaining internal and external
clearances and approvals;

closely with focal points within the United Nations System, particularly with the Resident Coordinators Office, ensuring a coordinated approach and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Liaise and cooperate with national
governance mechanisms established to coordinate EU integration;

7.Prepare the missions for WHO staff and external consultants to Ukraine addressing above-mentioned areas, as well as provide appropriate support during missions and follow-up;

8.Contribute inputs to regular reports and updates on area of work to the country Office and to the Regional Office, as needed.

9.Provide support to cross-Divisional and intercountry activities as requested;

10.Provide assistance in other areas of the work of Country Office and CPS Division as needed. 

Competencies: 

*1. Teamwork

*2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

*3. Communication

Functional Knowledge and Skills

- Microsoft Office

Education Qualifications
Essential
- First-level University degree (Bachelor's level/or equivalent) in nursing, medicine, public health or related area of study AND public administration, social sciences, international studies, legal sciences or related area of study.

Desirable
Master's degree in one of the above-mentioned areas.

Experience

Essential
- At least 2 years of relevant work experience with development, adaptation or review of national or local health strategies and health policies, or overall Government EU integration processes in social sectors.

Desirable
- Relevant experience in development of health regulation, policies;

- Relevant experience in participating in EU accession processes (negotiations, screening, preparing reports, mapping of activities);

- Relevant experience in convening working groups or other coordination structures, involving stakeholders from various areas. 

- Relevant experience with participating in the development of surveys and assessments, preparing reports, M&E frameworks, analytical products. Programme management experience in the area of public health, health reform. 

- Relevant experience with(in) WHO, UN agency, national or international health organization.

Use of Language Skills:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of WHO language.