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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 Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) Department promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities, directed at the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and related risk factors, mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders, disabilities, and promotion of optimal nutrition and road safety, that are evidence-based and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented. It raises political and public awareness and understanding of the burden of the most common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental disorders, related risk factors and conditions and leads multi-sector and multi-stakeholder strategic and collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening Member States’ capacity to promote and protect health through public policies, programs, and services. This will reduce risks and disease burden and contribute to improving the physical, mental, and social well-being of the population.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Noncommunicable Diseases, Violence and Injury Prevention (NMH/NV), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a)   Provide technical support for the regional implementation of the global platform for access to childhood cancer medicines (GPACCM);

b)   Participate in global, regional, and national coordination meetings to discuss policy matters, project monitoring, and regional implementation strategies for GPACCM; prepare comprehensive meeting minutes for regional and national GPACCM coordination meetings, highlighting key regional insights and agreed-upon actions;

c)    Collate, analyze and provide reports on childhood cancer data collected at a national level, identifying trends and patterns that may influence regional decision-making for procurement of childhood cancer medicines;

d)   Monitor the progress of the GPACCM across multiple focus countries; identify regional trends and propose regional implementation strategies in collaboration with local teams;

e)   Coordinate GPACCM country meetings, ensuring efficient organization and communication with all relevant stakeholders;

f)    Work closely with local teams in different countries to execute situational assessments, data collection, and analysis relevant to the GPACCM scope;

g)   Provide technical support for the development and validation of the forecasting tool, QuantMet, ensuring its effective implementation and accuracy in regional forecasting and planning for childhood cancer medicines;

h)   Conduct regular onsite visits to health facilities treating children with cancer, to validate information requested by the platform, ensuring the accomplishment of minimum criteria standards and the accuracy of data collected;

i)     Gather information on national childhood cancer protocols and guidelines;

j)    Collaborate with health authorities to develop and validate normative documents that establish healthcare standards for the GPACCM and defined SOPs;

k)   Maintain regular communication with regional stakeholders, organizations, and academic societies, providing updates on regional and national progress, challenges, and achievements within the GPACCM;

l)     Prepare and submit GPACCM progress reports, based on the GPACCM monitoring and evaluation indicators, highlighting regional and national achievements, challenges, and trends;

m)  Contribute to the development and implementation of regional and national communication and dissemination strategies, ensuring effective communication within the region to local communities and stakeholders on the GPACCM;

n)   Work closely with national consultants and the country team to collaboratively achieve GPACCM goals, ensuring effective coordination and alignment of regional efforts with local strategies and objectives;

o)   Participate as a member of the NV Unit team, to contribute to the successful implementation of the Unit’s activities;

p)   Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A medical degree from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master’s degree in public health or a field related to the functions of the post from a recognized university 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: Seven years of combined national and international experience working in childhood cancer.

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.

·       Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others/Deal effectively with conflict – Creates team spirit; promotes collaboration and open communication in the team; proactively supports others; welcomes team responsibilities and drives team results; promotes knowledge sharing in the team. Proactively identifies conflicts and facilitates their resolution in a respectful manner; tactfully resolves conflicts between or with others and takes action to reduce any possible tension; effectively builds a rapport with individuals and teams, establishing good personal and professional relationships, as well as minimizing risk of potential conflict.

·       Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize 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.

·       Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Listen/Write effectively/Share knowledge – Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. 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/Take responsibility – Prioritizes work, monitors own progress against objectives and adapts plans as required; communicates adjustments as necessary. Acts proactively and stimulates action as needed; handles problems effectively and constructively. Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

·       Moving forward in a changing environment: Propose change/Adapt to change – Actively supports Organizational change initiatives and demonstrates personal commitment to them, including when faced with new demands; proposes workable solutions to challenging situations. Engages in positive responses to a changing environment and promotes workable solutions to achieve own and team’s results. Welcomes, and actively seeks to apply, new ideas, approaches and working methods and technologies in order to improve own and/or team’s work processes and results; demonstrates commitment to Organizational change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

–      Technical expertise and skills on childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment.

–      Knowledge and skills to implement multi-partner collaborative projects.

–      Demonstrated ability to synthesize information and communicate complex information on childhood cancer in a clear and

–      articulate manner.

–      Ability to work in a team, and coordinate execution of activities across departments.

–      Mature judgement, strong technical and analytical skills.

–      Excellent organizational skills combined with strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese 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. Knowledge and proficiency in use of statistical packages such as STATA, EPINFO, SPSS and R. Visualization software such as Tableau and Power BI would be desirable.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

USD $64,121.00 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.