Technical Officer, Economics of Noncommunicable Diseases

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 use disorders and 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Noncommunicable Disease and Mental Health (NMH) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Risk Factors and Nutrition (NMH/RF), and in close collaboration and coordination with the Advisor on tobacco control leading the Economics of NCDs work, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Provide support for the implementation of the program of work to support the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Parties in the Americas, including in regard to FCTC Article 6 and the Protocol to eliminate illicit trade of tobacco products, in close collaboration with the FCTC Secretariat and Country offices in the Region of the Americas;

b) Support and collaborate with the Risk Factors and Nutrition Unit in the generation and use of evidence on fiscal policies for control of NCD RFs with emphasis on tobacco taxes in the Region of the Americas;

c) Collect and systematize information and data for the purpose of monitoring tobacco taxes and apply lessons learned to the taxation of alcohol, sugar-sweetened beverages, and processed foods;

d) Contribute to producing technical documents, presentation materials and tools on topics related to the Economics of tobacco control;

e) Prepare concept notes and background documents for capacity building activities on the topic of the Economics of tobacco control with the aim of mapping research gaps in the field, highlighting significant and relevant research, and identifying areas for improvement in the methodologies used to investigate the connection between economics and tobacco, NCDs RF, and NCDs in general;

f) Collaborate with the Risk Factors and Nutrition Unit for the implementation of capacity building activities such as training workshops aimed at facilitating the use of economic evidence in the design of measures consistent with the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and control of Noncommunicable Diseases;

g) Contribute to the preparation of terms of reference for studies on the Economics of tobacco control and NCDs. This will include studies that will tackle fiscal measures on NCD risk factors commercial determinants in Latin-American and Caribbean, and perform initial reviews and assessments of these studies to the Economics of NCDs responsible advisor in order to ultimately provide feedback to member states;

h) Collect and systematize economic evidence on NCDs for the purpose of producing technical documents and capacity building materials as well as identifying high quality emerging research in the Region to be included in the biennial Supplement on Economics of NCDs and RF produced in the Department;

i) Prepare concept notes and other technical materials for the implementation of Investment Cases for NCDs in selected countries in the Region of the Americas, including assessing data availability for return-of-investment estimations at country level;

j) Prepare terms of reference and perform initial reviews and assessments of studies conducted to support Member States efforts on assessing effectiveness and evaluating impact of taxation measures and related topics;

k) Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, public health, international affairs, a social science, or in any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

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/search/default.asp 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: Five years of combined national and international experience working in economics, policy analysis, quantitative analysis, or socio-economic development.

Desirable: Practical experience working in public health projects at the international level. Experience working in tobacco taxation, non-communicable diseases and/or health economics would be an asset.

SKILLS:

PAHO Competencies:

Key Behavioral 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. - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/ attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.

- 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/Write effectively/Listen/Shares knowledge - Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (e.g., power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.

- Producing Results: Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - 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 - Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

- Technical expertise in economics, quantitative analysis, public policy, international affairs, or public health, preferably in health economics and noncommunicable diseases.

- Strong analytical quantitative skills and knowledge of statistics.

- Strong project management, organizational, monitoring and execution skills to manage knowledge and information on public policies and/or tobacco control.

- Ability to maintain partnerships for coordinated execution of projects.

- Ability to prepare funding proposals.

- Mature judgment, strong technical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key technical issues.

- Excellent organizational and analytic skills combined with 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 or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

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

SharePoint and Outlook. IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as software for desktop layout, or Stata, or Tableau, or Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Monthly Salary: (Net of taxes)

US$4,067.08 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment:

US$2,017.27 This amount 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 identify candidates for other similar short-term positions at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• 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 committed to workforce diversity.
• PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.