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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 Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity Department (DHE) leads intersectoral, strategic and collaborative efforts at the regional, subregional, country and local levels, enabling countries to reduce health inequities, promote health and well-being, address social determinants of health – including its commercial, economic, political dimensions – to integrate equity, human rights, gender and interculturality into the public health agenda, and to address the threats of climate change, to create healthy environments and to prevent disease by addressing environmental risk factors.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the technical guidance of the Director, Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity (DHE), and the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a)   Provide leadership and serve as country focal point for matters related to health promotion, social determinants of health, health equity, including gender and ethnicity, as well as climate change and environmental health, human rights and heath related law; provide leadership to country teams, supporting research, planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of policies and strategies in those areas, with a strong focus on local governance for health and well-being, intersectoral action and community participation;

b)   Lead the process of, and provide technical advice on, the development, review and promotion of national policies, programs, and structures for health promotion including for healthy cities and healthy settings, and the incorporation of health promotion approaches within national health plans;

c)    Provide leadership to coordinate multi-stakeholder dialogue and inter-sectoral action to promote health and wellbeing and address social determinants of health and health equity across population groups, with specific focus on populations in situations of vulnerability;

d)   Provide technical advice and support to countries, develop multi-country approaches and provide support to the OECS, to strengthen health promotion, social determinants of health, health equity, including gender, and ethnicity, climate change and environmental health, as well as human rights and heath related law, in line with the guidance of the PAHO country office senior management, including:

·       creating strategies and interventions (including community-based) for supportive environments for health toward the promotion of health and the reduction of risk factors and their underlying social and commercial determinants; guide and support their implementation.

·       conducting capacity assessment and evidence reviews on health inequities across populations and public health conditions, including gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status and other variables, using both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

e)   Create and enhance partnerships and networks to strengthen multidisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration to address social determinants of health and health equity, including gender and ethnicity;

f)    Lead the process of documenting lessons learned and best practices in addressing social determinants of health, health equity, including gender and ethnicity, and sustainable development goals at country level;

g)   Provide technical, and strategic advice to address the impact of climate change on public health through mitigation and adaptation measures;

h)   Provide technical and strategic guidance on environmental health, including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), indoor and outdoor air quality, waste management and chemical safety;

i)     Provide technical and strategic guidance for the integration of health equity, including gender equality and ethnicity, into the work of the country office;

j)    Provide technical and strategic guidance on health-related law, human rights and health, workers’ health and social protection and other related matters;

k)   Participate in the formulation and negotiation of, and consultation on, project proposals funded by external agencies; collaborate in the implementation, monitoring and reporting of those projects; contribute to the preparation of the Representation´s Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic realities;

l)     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;

m)  Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A university degree in a health or social science and a master’s degree in public health or any field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized institution.

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.  PAHO, only considers official degrees 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 technical cooperation programs and projects that address the determinants of health, community-based solutions and policies in local and national social development programs as well as equity.

Desirable: Proven experience in managing complex international programs related to the social determinants of health and equity would be an asset. Experience in institutions concerned with public health management with focus on climate change/climate and health services 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:

–        Theoretical and practical expertise in all aspects related to technical cooperation projects and activities that address the social determinants of health, community assets, community-based solutions and policies in local and social development programs.

–        Technical expertise in translating social determinants of health theory into practice at national and local levels.

–        Technical expertise in local participatory planning and evaluation methodologies, especially working with multiple sectors, and government, community and academic institutions.

–        Research expertise in applying quantitative and qualitative methodologies to document situations, outcomes and lessons learned.

–        Ability to analyze social determinants of health and the capability to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions.

–        Theoretical knowledge and practical expertise on environmental resilience, climate change and sustainability of health systems.

–        Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control.

–        Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

–        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 English. A working knowledge of Spanish or French would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. 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)

USD $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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements