NPO, Human Resources for Health at World Health Organization

Purpose of the Post:

The purpose of the position is to provide technical support and advice to the Health Advisor, HSS Cluster Team Lead , the WHO Representative (WCO/Kenya), the WHO Country office and the Government of Kenya on Human Resources for Health matters, include National and County Health systems in the efforts towards the successful implementation of the Kenya’s Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategy 2019-2023, The Kenya Health Policy 2014-2030, health-related Sustainable Development Goals, Global Health Security and Kenya Human Resources for Health commitments

Objectives of the Programme

The primary objective of the UHC Life course Cluster is to strengthen health systems based on Primary Health Care, supporting Universal Health Coverage. Its work encompasses the following areas: strengthening of health systems governance for social protection in health; strengthening of regulatory frameworks and financial protection for progressive realization of the right to health; organizing people-centered, integrated health service delivery; promoting access to and rational use of quality, safe, and effective health technologies; strengthening national health research systems, and promoting the integration of scientific knowledge into health care, health policies, and technical cooperation; and developing human resources for health.

Organizational Context

• The WHO Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health is focussed on; ensuring evidence based strategic planning for health work force, aligning investment to health workforce dynamics and optimizing performance and quality of health work force. These focus areas also form the core areas of Kenya’s Human Resources for Health (HRH) Strategy 2019-2023 and form the basis through which World Health Organisation is providing support to Kenya. The WCO in Kenya works closely with the Ministry of Health together with partners in Human Resources for Health to ensure that Kenya is able to:
  • Improve availability of and use of data for health workforce strategic planning and management of health workforce at national and county level;
  • Improve Health Workforce Productivity and Quality and
  • Develop evidence-informed health workforce policies and strategic plans at national and county level.
• Reporting directly to the Health Advisor, ULC Cluster Team Lead, under the overall guidance of the Head of WHO Country Office in WCO/Kenya, and in close collaboration with the respective technical leads in the respective Units in Regional Office in AFRO and HQ Units, the Technical Officer-Health Workforce will be accountable for supporting the Ministry of Health and partners in defining and implementing the Kenya Human Resources for Health strategy.

Summary of Assigned Duties

The incumbent will be assigned the following duties:

• In close consultation with HSS Cluster Leader/Adviser, facilitate/support the process of reviewing and development of national Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy and Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate linkages and adaptation of national HRH Policy and Strategic Plan at sub-national level in close collaboration with relevant partners and stakeholders.
• Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health in NHWA implementation and on health workforce planning.
• Identify sources of data on health workers and health worker characteristics including census, labor force surveys, professional registries etc. towards development of Health Workforce information system.
• Facilitate increased HRH partnerships and stakeholder involvement in Kenya through establishment/strengthening MoH-led HRH Coordination mechanisms, harmonized health workforce initiatives and joint HRH reviews. 
• Facilitate the process of Workload Indicator for Staffing Needs (WISN) in Kenya to provide evidence for staffing standards and equitable distribution of health workers.
• Collaborate in operational research activities to deepen the knowledge base on the various issues of health workforce development; 
• Promote best practices for health workforce planning, monitoring and assessment and evidence generation dissemination of good practices in countries taking into consideration the effective integration within the health care delivery system, its health services and existing public health programmes. 
• Participate WCO and specific UHC LC cluster planning and monitoring activities ensuring linkage of HRH structures to overall health sector structures.
• Assist in resource mobilization activities in support of the work on health workforce development;
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

• Knowing and managing yourself.
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across organization and beyond
• Fostering integration and teamwork
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Functional Skills and Knowledge

• Understanding of Kenya’s Health system, human resources for health strategies development, planning, capacity-building, initiatives implementation.
• Technical expertise in planning, monitoring, and evaluating health systems especially health workforce management and development.
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize, and communicate complex concepts and ideas verbally and in writing.
• Proven ability to promote and enhance relationships between private sector actors and government stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong management skills and ability to work independently and on teams.

Education (Qualifications):

• Essential: Master’s degree in Health Management Planning and Policy, Human Resources for Health Policy or Health Systems Management, with a background in Health related field (Nursing, Medicine, or any other relevant field)
• Desirable: WHO training in HLMA, WISN or NHWA.

Experience:
Essential:

• At least 5 years' experience in health system strengthening in developing health systems including HRH.
• A good understanding of Human resources for health in the context of the Kenyan health sector

Desirable:

• Working experience in related areas with WHO, other UN agencies or other recognized national and international organizations.

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge of English.
• Working knowledge of local languages (e.g. Swahili).

Desirable:

• Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize, and communicate complex concepts and ideas verbally and in writing.

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

• Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.