Advisor, Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 90,970 USD and 117,287 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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 Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health Department (CDE) promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities directed toward the surveillance, prevention, control, and elimination of communicable diseases, zoonosis and environmental determinants of health that are technically sound and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented. It strives to achieve a sustainable impact on health by providing normative guidance, furthering the implementation of evidence-based interventions, and fostering alliances that strengthen country capacity, improve the effectiveness of inter-country collaboration, and facilitate policy and decision-making processes through improved health information coverage, analysis and quality at all levels.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative, and the technical guidance of the Unit Chief, Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE/CE), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical cooperation to Member States to identify and implement national strategies and policies for the analysis of the principal health problems, social and environmental determinants, including climate change, inequities and risk factors that impact human health; identify the conditions and lifestyles that encourage the practice of health promotion at population level; propose, monitor and evaluate technologies and strategies for the effective implementation and control of health promotion programs related to climate change and environmental determinants;
2. Lead and support the introduction of the principles, methods, and epidemiological techniques at national level for programs promoting environmental public health and health protection;
3. Advise, support and strengthen health surveillance and research on climate change and environmental determinants of health, and prepare and present updated reports with detailed information on the status, gaps and demands of Member States to achieve the objectives defined in the regional agenda on health, environment and climate change;
4. Guide the formulation of projects and provide guidance on the development of innovative responses to support Member States to respond to the adverse environmental and climate change risks to health;
5. Support interventions on climate adaptation, risk modeling and mitigation actions to environmental determinants and climate change, especially those that are directly impacting health;
6. Promote and conduct research on the promotion of the social and environmental determinants of health within academic institutions and the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers related to the area of environmental health and health protection;
7. Participate actively in the development and/or strengthening of the relevant competencies in human resources for the health teams in charge of the implementation of the essential environmental public health functions;
8. Promote knowledge management activities in the areas of responsibility, using all the available means for the dissemination of relevant evidence-based and scientific information;
9. Promote inter-programmatic and decentralized work at the different levels of the Organization in order to achieve the maximum levels of efficiency and effectiveness;
10. Provide advice, follow-up and support activities related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); facilitate implementation and monitoring of SDG strategies at national and sub-national levels;
11. Promote and advise national authorities on the evaluation and solution of environmental pollution problems due to urbanization, industrialization and agricultural activities with special attention to biological and chemical pollution, as well as in the formulation of plans and programs for their prevention and control;
12. Mobilize national and international resources to support the implementation of programs under areas of responsibility; represent the Organization in technical meetings, seminars, congresses and academic events in the area of Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health;
13. Collaborate with Ministries of Health and other PAHO colleagues in the preparation of the Representation´s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), semi annual work plans and periodic evaluations for assigned projects; collaborate on and contribute to 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 an environmental science, health science or sanitary engineering, and a master’s degree in public health, environmental health, sanitary engineering, or a 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. 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 work experience in organizations concerned with basic sanitation, public health management or evaluation of environmental health and sustainable development programs.

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.
• 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:

• Theoretical and practical expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to current and new concepts on prevention, adaptation and mitigation to climate change and health.
• Expertise in research methodology on environmental health including those related to monitoring and surveillance methods applied for local and community interventions.
• Excellent knowledge and skills in providing technical cooperation in projects especially those related to basic sanitation, and activities for sustainable development, management or evaluation of environmental health programs in low and middle-income countries.
• Technical cooperation expertise in local and social development programs including those involving more than one country.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of the social and environmental aspects of the primary health care, health promotion and social participation.
• Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria for evaluating program interventions.
• Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control.
• 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 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 $75,602.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment****: 57.4% 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.