Health Policy Advisor (Universal Health Coverage)
Organizational Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Democratic Republic of Congo aims to strengthen national health systems to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This role supports the country in developing and implementing health policies and strategies, aligning with national priorities and global health objectives.
Job Purpose
The Health Policy Advisor will provide expert guidance to the government and national stakeholders on designing, implementing, and evaluating health policies and strategies to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This involves capacity building for effective health policy dialogue, strengthening service delivery, transforming health financing, and aligning essential health system functions. The role also focuses on establishing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, promoting evidence-based policies, and fostering partnerships to drive health system transformation in the DRC.
Responsibilities
Provide expert advice to the government and stakeholders on health policy design, implementation, and evaluation for strengthening health systems towards UHC. Build national capacity for health policy dialogue and reform, focusing on key areas like health financing, public health, primary healthcare, and governance. Develop a harmonized vision for service delivery to improve communicable and non-communicable disease control. Facilitate the transformation of health financing mechanisms and improve governance. Conduct cost evaluations for national health policies and plans. Align other essential system functions, including human resources and access to medicines. Implement and improve a health system strengthening monitoring and evaluation framework aligned with SDGs. Foster synergies and partnerships with UN agencies, non-state actors, and donors for health system transformation. Establish and strengthen links with institutions and scientific bodies for information exchange and coordination. Demonstrate the impact of reforms on health outcomes through evaluations.
Work Experience
Essential: Minimum 10 years of professional experience in health policy, strategy, and planning, with significant international experience. Specific experience in health financing is required. At least five years of experience in a governmental institution or international organization serving low-resource or middle-income countries. Desirable: Experience in health sector evaluation, analysis, and reporting; consensus-building and stakeholder cooperation.
Skills
In-depth technical knowledge in health policy formulation, strengthening, and management; health systems planning, monitoring, and evaluation. Expertise in primary healthcare-based health systems, transformation, and reform. Skills in health financing policy analysis for UHC. Ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams and projects. Excellent report writing and presentation skills. Proven ability to provide sound methodological and technical advice on health policy to diverse stakeholders. Capacity for innovation, integration, synthesis, and communication of complex health policy concepts. Ability to plan, analyze data, and design studies. WHO Competencies: Teamwork, Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences, Communication, Producing results, Building and promoting partnerships, Creating an empowering and motivating environment. Language: Expert French, Intermediate English.