Advisor, Healthy Aging

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 154,831 USD and 199,622 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 Department of Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL) of the Pan American Health Organization promotes, coordinates and implements technical cooperation at the regional, sub regional 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 leads innovative, inter-sectoral and strategic efforts to address the social determinants of health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL), and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Healthy Life Course (FPL/HL), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical and programmatic advice to Member States for the development, review, implementation and evaluation of national policies and legislation to enhance the health of older populations; promote healthy and active aging and sustainable age-friendly environments, using an inter-sectoral approach;
2. Provide technical advice to Member States in the development and/or alignment of national health policies, plans, programs, guidelines, norms, and services in the area of older persons’ health and a long-term care system, using the healthy life course approach as an operational and strategic framework to address the health needs of this population;
3. Develop policies, programs, guidelines and tools to ensure access to health care and social protection of the older population; build the capacity of health and social services and community providers to meet the needs of older persons;
4. Collaborate within the Department of Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL) and with other Departments and Technical Units at all levels of the Organization, to ensure the inclusion of Long-Term Care as a key component within Universal Health mandates;
5. Collaborate within FPL, and other pertinent Departments and Technical Units using the healthy life course approach to develop an operational and strategic framework to prevent dependency and decrease long-term care needs;
6. Develop evidence-based norms, standards, methods and tools to tailor health services, communities, families and older persons’ participation to meet the special needs of older persons and their families;
7. Advise and participate in the identification of human resources for health needs, promotion of training, and the development of national institutions, using innovative approaches and new technologies in the area of older persons’ health;
8. Provide technical advice to Member States in the development and/or alignment of national policies, plans, programs, guidelines, norms, and services to combat all forms of ageism in all sectors, including health care settings;
9. Collaborate in the development and continued education of human resources involved in the care of older people at all levels of health services; expand and manage the networks of collaborating centers and inter-country cooperation strategies, to develop and implement interdisciplinary research, training and programs on older persons’ health, active aging, and public health;
10. Develop and promote policies and programs on age-friendly environments that ensure healthy aging;
11. Develop proposals to obtain financial resources towards accelerating action plans in the Region, for older persons’ health and social protection;
12. Support strategic alliances and networks, maintaining an up-to-date inventory and functional networks of international resources that can be made available to the Organization and its Member States for the promotion and support of research, training, and service activities in the field of older persons’ health; collaborate closely with key partners and other international organizations with a view to strengthening coordination of joint activities and building consensus and strategic partnerships with selected organizations;
13. Support database information activities within the Department and other technical units for monitoring and evaluating older persons’ health situation and trends;
14. Promote and coordinate research programs aimed at understanding the factors associated with healthy aging;
15. Collaborate within FPL, as well as with other relevant Departments and Technical Units to ensure that issues related to improving aging and older persons’ health, and health service community practices are addressed in key areas to achieve effective coordination of program activities and appropriate utilization of resources;
16. Collaborate in the preparation of the Unit's Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget, semiannual work plans and periodic evaluations for assigned projects;
17. 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;
18. Provide technical advice in the development and implementation of programs and training in the areas of older persons’ health;
19. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline and a master’s degree in public health, and/or gerontology and geriatrics or a related field, from a recognized institution.

Desirable: Specialization or PhD in geriatrics and / or gerontology 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 the health of older persons. Of these, at least five years of experience should involve participating in technical cooperation projects and activities concerning the health of older persons.

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:

• Expert knowledge of and expertise in Public Health and Aging, geriatrics and/or gerontology, health and social care, age-friendly environments, long term care, health and health services organizations.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the clinical aspects and essential interventions to support the healthy growth and development of older persons, within a life course approach, using a bio-psychosocial framework.
• Ability to identify and provide expertise on issues related to improving health-service community practices.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of concepts and methods applicable to development and management of the intercultural aspects of older persons; epidemiology management, clinical, research and teaching skills; policy and legislation development; advocacy and policy evaluation.
• Extensive knowledge of older populations and community evidence-based interventions and their implementation at country level.
• Expertise in formulating and developing tools for monitoring and evaluating older persons’ health, health strategies, and interventions.
• 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 systems 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)

USD $75,602.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment****: 54.1% 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.