Director, Digital Health and Innovation

Company: 
Department of Digital Health and Innovation, WHO
Location: 
Switzerland-Geneva
Closing date: 
15 Oct 2021

 

Director, Digital Health and Innovation - (2103437)  

Grade: D2

Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): Two years

Job Posting: Sep 24, 2021, 2:31:29 PM

Closing Date: Oct 15, 2021, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location: Switzerland-Geneva

Organization: HQ/DHI Digital Health and Innovation

Schedule: Full-time  

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 Department of Digital Health and Innovation sits within the Science Division. The overall mission of the Science Division is to harness the power of science and innovation in a systematic way, by ensuring the excellence, relevance, value contribution and efficiency of WHO's core technical functions, including norms and standards, guidance on innovations in health, digital health related research and capacity building. The specific purpose of the Digital Health and Innovation Department is to harness the current and future power of digital health and technologies to contribute to the attainment of the highest standard of health of all people. The mandate of the department is structured around four functions:

1. To enhance WHO's global leadership and role in enabling the use digital health technologies, and support countries to make decisions about how to prioritize, integrate, implement and regulate them.

2. To support the development, test and applicability of methods for assessment of digital technologies, at global, national and technical level.

3. To identify, foster and scale up predictive and evidence-based innovations, to address gaps in the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), protection from health emergencies and the attainment of healthier populations.

4. To identify, drive and foster internal and external collaboration through networks and partnerships to help identify and address gaps and avenues for digital health solutions.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

- Leads the Department in providing technical expertise to Member States and other Stakeholders with guidance and technical data required for the development, implementation, and monitoring of national and/or global digital health and innovation policies and programmes.

- Provides the overall leadership, management accountability, and direction of the Department in delivering its objectives through managing and galvanizing a diverse workforce and financial resources to optimize the department deliverables and mandate.

- Provides strategic direction advice and thought leadership in the area of assigned responsibilities in order to position the Department and the Organization as a leader in digital health and innovation in health.

- Directs and leads overall establishment and development of the Department's evidence-based policies and strategies for roll out and delivery for Regional and Country Office implementation.

- Oversees the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the Department's area of work to ensure development of key performance indicators and global reporting requirements and mechanisms to ensure optimal performance of Department deliverables.

- Serves as the scientific/technical reference among UN Agencies and other key players in the respective areas.

- Promotes collaboration and integration of Regional and Country Office perspectives and operational capacities into the Department's programme area of work.

- Builds strong partnerships and fosters consensus building with External Partners, Member States, UN Agencies, Donors, cutting edge research institutions and other stakeholders in the subject area to politically position the technical area of work and implementation into national and/or global policies.

- Represents the Organization and Department area of work in a diverse array of global fora to position WHO as a leader in the global health community.

- Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Specific duties:

- Leads and manages the development and implementation of the WHO Digital Health and Innovation in health strategy.

- Develops the strategic direction for digital health work to be carried out by WHO, in consultation with WHO Regional Offices, Member States as well as external experts and partners.

- Generates artifacts/products for digital global public goods, identifies opportunities to expand the enablement of digital health technologies in support of UHC and equity.

- Leads the development of technical frameworks for interoperability guidance, resources and guidance on overcoming barriers and challenges in digital health technologies adoption.

- Fosters collaborations for investments in digital health technologies for member states.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree (Master's level) in medicine/health sciences in combination with health informatics, or information technology in combination with public health or health sciences, or digital health, health informatics or related field.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

 

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 15 years of progressive professional experience in the management of digital health or health informatics global programmes, including at least 10 years' experience providing senior level advice and guidance to senior management/decision makers, managing human and financial resources, as well as experience in the area of developing and establishing policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable: Experience in setting up frameworks for consistent, accurate, evidence-based assessment of digital health technologies.

 

Skills

- Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing digital health polices and strategies at national and global levels.

- Demonstrated effectiveness as an inspirational and collaborative people manager with excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.

- Strong understanding and skills in mobilizing resources.

- Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States, partners and media.

- Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.

- Globally respected level of technical expertise and knowledge in digital health and /or health information systems.

- Proven leadership skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.

 

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

 

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of another 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 113,621 (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 7916 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.
  • This selection may be subject to special selection procedures. Further details of these procedures shall be made available upon request to Cécile Morfin, morfinc@who.int.
  • Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
  • A written test 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.
  • Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
  • Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
  • WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
  • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
  • WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
  • Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

 

About Us

The Biomedical / Clinical Engineering Association of Ireland (BEAI) is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. Company Registration no. 484921.

Stay Connected on:

 

Important Information

Contact Us

For general information, including registration, please contact us at:

  • 8 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan Road,
  • Blackrock, Co Dublin, Ireland,
  • A94 EE95