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Qualifications

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS) is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and implementing the Organization’s technical cooperation in health systems and services development to achieve Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage (Universal Health), based on the Primary Health Care approach. HSS promotes evidence-based policies, strategies and plans to transform national health systems to improve equity and resilience, as health systems move towards the achievement of Universal Health, strengthening governance and stewardship, increasing and improving health financing and social protection, and supporting the development of integrated networks of health services based on a highly resolutive first level of care. HSS strengthens national capacity in the organization of people-centered health services, integrating the healthy life course approach, ensuring quality of care and patient safety, and the effective deployment and management of human resources.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Health Systems and Services (HSS) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Life Course (HSS/HL), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical cooperation to Member States in the development and implementation of national health policies, plans, programs and services in the area of integrated child health and development; 
2. Advise and support Member States to develop, revise, adapt and evaluate National Public Policies and legislation to enhance integrated child health and development, using human rights and an intersectoral approach; 
3. Advise and collaborate in the development of strategic actions to improve child health and early childhood development programs, ensuring equitable access to health care, taking into consideration multi-ethnic, diversity and issues of inequity in the Region; 
4. Provide advice and technical guidance for the implementation of PAHO/WHO’s Plan of Action for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health 2018-2030 to prevent and reduce the burden of disease in children, improve child nutrition, and build capacity among different health institutions and other sectors to improve child health development; 
5. Lead HSS/HL work to tailor health-service practices to accomplish the mandates of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC), with emphasis on primary health care (PHC) settings; 
6. Advise and provide technical support to Member States in the development, implementation and evaluating of family and community involvement to promote child health, prioritizing early child development (ECD); 
7. Collaborate in the design, implementation and evaluation of integrated health care models based on primary health care (PHC) strategies, evidence-based technical information, within the life course approach and continuum of care, especially related to child health and development; 
8. Develop evidence-based technical and management guidelines and best practice standards for the strengthening of child health programs and services, at different levels of care, using new and appropriate technologies; 
9. Participate in the identification of human resources needs; promote training and development of national institutions for this purpose and strengthen comprehensive child health programs; 
10. Identify research needs and stimulate and develop research capacity and activities related to child health and development; 
11. Support strategic alliances and networks involving national and international organizations, governmental and non-governmental institutions, professional and scientific societies engaged in child health programs and projects; maintain an up-to-date inventory and functional networks of international resources that can be made available to the Organization and its Member Governments for the promotion and support of research, training, and service activities in the field of adolescent health. Collaborate closely with key partners and other international organizations (especially UNFPA, UNICEF) with a view to strengthening coordination of joint activities and building consensus and strategic partnership with selected organizations; 
12. Promote and collaborate in mobilizing national and international resources to facilitate the implementation of the regional mandates and plans at the regional, subregional and local level; support the development of grant proposals to raise resources towards accelerating action in regions and countries on child health; 
13. Collaborate with experts within the Department as well as with other relevant PAHO departments and units to ensure that issues related to improving child health and health services provider practices are addressed in key areas to achieve effective coordination of program activities and appropriate utilization of resources; 
14. Collaborate and coordinate with the Department of Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health within PAHO, to strengthen countries’ capacity, analyze and use information related to the overall health of children, especially in relation to the monitoring of indicators of regional and strategic plan, and other commitments; 
15. Provide strategic advice and follow up on the mandates of the Organization’s Governing Bodies related to promoting and implementing integrated child health programs and initiatives; 
16. Represent the Organization in technical meetings, seminars, congresses and academic events in the area of child health and development; 
17. Collaborate in the preparation of the Unit’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget, semiannual work plans and periodic evaluations for assigned projects; 
18. When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities; 
19. Perform other related duties, as assigned. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential:  A university degree in a health-related profession, with specialization in pediatrics and/or family medicine, and a master’s degree in public health from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A PhD degree in a discipline related to child health and development would be an asset.

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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience:

Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in applying knowledge at the national, municipal or local level in formulating, conducting, implementing, and researching integrated child health and development programs. Of these at least five years of experience participating in technical cooperation projects and activities concerning child health and early childhood development, including obtaining and managing externally funded projects.

Desirable: Experience working in different cultural contexts, particularly related with indigenous populations; social determinants and mainstreaming for health settings and/or human resources training and working with multidisciplinary and inter-sectoral approach in child health would be an asset.

SKILLS:

PAHO Competencies:

• Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts. 
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences:  Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity – Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity. 
• Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others – Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings. 
• Communication: Write effectively/Share knowledge – Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization. 
• Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results – Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit. 
• Ensuring effective use of resources:   Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well – Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives.  Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization. 
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond:  Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration – Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success.  Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success. 

Technical Expertise:

• Expert knowledge in the area of public health, child development and health services organization with human rights, gender, ethnicity and life course approach. 
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the clinical aspects and essential interventions to support health and development of children. 
• Extensive knowledge of early child development, nutrition and the main problems that affect this age group. 
• Ability to understand and provide expertise on issues related to improvement of health services for children. 
• Knowledge and skills in policy and legislation development, advocacy and policy evaluation, epidemiology management, clinical, research and teaching abilities. 
• Technical expertise in formulating and developing tools for planning, monitoring and evaluating child health and early child development (ECD) strategies. 
• Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control. 
• Demonstrated fundraising skills, grant writing and mobilization of resources. 
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, conceptual, interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key political and technical issues. 
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization. 

Languages:

Very good knowledge of Spanish or English with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of Portuguese and/or French would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

US $77,326.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment: 70.2% of the above figure(s).  This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual. For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org  PAHO/WHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities. PAHO/WHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct. PAHO/WHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution. PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity. PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance).  Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy. Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world. All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.  Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post.  The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.