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Advisor, Maternal Health and Mortality Reduction

Managua

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Managua
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
    • Sexual and reproductive health
  • Closing Date: Closed

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 Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL) Department of the Pan American Health Organization promotes, coordinates and implements technical cooperation at the regional, subregional and country levels, emphasizing the central role of the family and community to foster a culture of health promotion and protection in which health is a social value and a human right. FPL focuses on the development and implementation of programs for women and men’s health; sexual and reproductive health; maternal and neonatal health; the integrated health and development of children and adolescents; the health of aging populations; food and nutrition; comprehensive family immunization; and gender, equity and cultural diversity approaches.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general technical guidance of the Director, Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL), in coordination with FPL Unit Chiefs, and the Center Director, Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women's Health, and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR), and the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Country Representative, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

  1. Provide technical advice to national authorities on the development of strategic actions to improve maternal and women’s health, their access to health care, focusing on reducing maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity and taking into consideration gender and ethnic equality commitments, inequities in health, and the level of development of the countries;
  2. Advise on the preparation and revision of national and local level plans of actions; provide technical assistance to promote maternal health, reduction of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity; promote women's health strategies and activities within national programs and with gender sensitive and intercultural adaptation of the care services; advise Ministries of Health, public, and private sector organizations to introduce and strengthen women's health policies for preventive care to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
  3. Promote the development of technical and management guidelines and best practice standards for the strengthening of maternal health programs and quality services delivery, including the incorporation of risk approach and appropriate technology for improving program efficiency and effectiveness and expanding access to life-saving obstetric care for women who need it;
  4. Promote and support research in the areas of HIV prevention, treatment and care, and health issues related to women and maternal health;
  5. Participate in the identification and mobilization of financial and human resources, including the development of appropriate project proposals; promote training and development of national institutions for this purpose; coordinate and strengthen activities with other United Nations (UN) organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society, universities, other international organizations and the private sector;
  6. Promote and provide support for resource mobilization through the development of projects for internal or external funding;
  7. Coordinate and support the implementation of activities promoted both by the Organization's specialized centers, mainly the Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women's Health, and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR), to strengthen training in the areas of perinatology, reproductive health and maternal health;
  8. Promote and undertake key actions that favor the development and/or implementation of community and family health policies, taking into consideration existing legislation;
  9. Promote and support the implementation of PAHO's Gender Equality Policy and cultural diversity information in health documents and programs of work;
  10. Develop and promote programmatic and operational research programs including the compilation of data from questionnaires/surveys that will contribute to addressing prevailing diseases affecting women and mothers such as mental health, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV, among others; develop inter-sectoral actions and promote institutional and community alliances;
  11. Provide technical advice and collaborate with the Country Office staff in supporting the national authorities in developing health policies, action plans and projects aimed at reducing barriers and increasing equitable access to maternal health interventions specially for pregnant women and adolescent girls; identify inequities in care and causes of exclusion in health care services in order to identify best options for the achievement of the objectives and goals of the Strategic Plan of the Organization;
  12. Support the development and adaptation of tools and modules for maternal, neonatal, and child health care during emergency situations and disasters;
  13. Collaborate in 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;
  14. 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;
  15. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A university degree in a health-related profession and a master's degree in public health, family health or related field from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A specialization in obstetrics or family medicine 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 managing inter-sectoral health or social projects and programs in the area of family health with emphasis on maternal or reproductive health.

Desirable: Five years of experience in implementing projects and programs in Maternal Health. Basic knowledge in epidemiology. Experience working in different cultural contexts, particularly related with social determinants and mainstreaming for health settings 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: Share knowledge - 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.
  • Creating an empowering and motivating environment: Provide direction - Manages individual and group projects and ensures that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clearly defined, understood and accepted; delegates work appropriately to achieve best results.
  • 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 public health, family health programs, and the organization of country health systems with focus on primary/sexual/reproductive health, gender, ethnicity, and life course approach.
  • Sound knowledge of the technical, political and administrative aspects of health systems and primary health care.
  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of the clinical aspects and essential interventions to support the health growth and development of women and mothers, as well as basic knowledge of health settings and strategies conducive to improvement of social determinants related to maternal mortality reduction.
  • Theoretical and practical familiarity with concepts and methods applicable to development and management of the intercultural aspects of maternal health.
  • Expertise in formulating and developing tools for monitoring and evaluating women, maternal and reproductive health strategies.
  • Expertise in strategic thinking, planning of human resources for health, information and information systems, political and stakeholder analysis, communication, negotiation methods, leadership development, and health system performance.
  • 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. Working 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. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Project management would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

US$ 74,913.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment: 35.3% 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 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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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