Health Cluster Advisor

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 144,460 USD and 186,252 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 objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Unit Chief, Emergency Operations (PHE/EMO), and the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Manage, coordinate and lead the Health Cluster for rapid health needs assessments, as well as participatory assessments (Multi Cluster/Sector Initial Rapid Assessments and Humanitarian Needs Overviews, post-event risk assessment, Post Disaster/Post Conflict Needs Assessment); be familiar with and prepared to select the most appropriate needs assessment tool to ensure that the Health Cluster covers all identified humanitarian health needs of the affected population;

b) Collect information from all health partners on Who's Where, since and until When, doing What (4Ws), and regularly feed the database managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA). Provide consolidated feedback to all partners and the other clusters;

c) Lead the development, in cooperation with the Health Cluster Members, of the health sector components of the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) as well as contingency planning for potential new events and other interagency planning; ensure proper linkages with the incident management system, disaster risk reduction, relief and recovery to complement national health sector preparedness/response plans;

d) Ensure full compliance with national and international humanitarian norms and standards; ensure that cross-cutting issues are mainstreamed in the Health Cluster response and implementation plans, taking into account the need for local adaptation;

e) Facilitate health partner coordination and involvement in health and other related sector assessments (e.g. nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), planning, information, interventions, monitoring and quality assurance, and regularly report on health services delivered to the affected population;

f) Identify urgent technical gaps and training needs in relation to technical standards and protocols for the delivery of key health services to ensure their adoption and uniform application by all Health Cluster partners; identify opportunities for capacity building in collaboration with partners;

g) Ensure appropriate links among humanitarian actions and longer-term health sector plans, incorporating the concept of 'building back better' and specific risk reduction measures;

h) Convene and facilitate consultative and results-oriented meetings in line with the principles of partnership; organize and conduct joint support missions to field operations;

i) Oversee the development of a functional Information Management strategy and mechanism for the Health Cluster to facilitate information sharing as well as monitoring and reporting; ensure that the Health Cluster produces and disseminates to partners, donors, government and other stakeholders regular updates, technical reports, bulletins and briefings on the health status of the affected people, response activities, resource mobilization, achievements, challenges and the remedial actions, when necessary;

j) Support national (health system) capacity building in emergency preparedness and response in accordance with the Inter-agency Standing Committee (IASC) Emergency Response Preparedness (ERP) Approach and other related guidance;

k) Liaise and manage the development of resource mobilization efforts, oversee the initiation of Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), other pooled fund proposals and other funding documents, as required, in close collaboration with the Head of the PAHO/WHO Country Office, and in consultation with the Health Cluster Partners and the Humanitarian Country Team;

l) Establish clear and transparent prioritization criteria for vetting partners' projects for inclusion in Consolidated Appeals and pooled funds processes;

m) Coordinate the development, adaptation and implementation of an Indicators' Monitoring Framework to ensure adequate implementation of the Health Cluster Plans; empower partners' active involvement in joint monitoring of individual and common plans of action for health interventions. Promote peer-exchange of experiences and lessons-learned within the cluster partnership;

n) Identify core advocacy concerns for the Health Cluster through a consultative process: develop joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy is conveyed to the UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator and Humanitarian Country Team; advocate for collective action, collective results, and collective accountability;

o) Represent the Health Cluster in inter-cluster coordination mechanisms at country level, contribute to jointly identifying critical issues that require multi-sectoral responses, and plan the relevant synergistic interventions with the other clusters concerned;

p) Advocate for priorities in the health sector, including protection for health workers and health facilities and the highest possible integration of the health related activities in the humanitarian agenda;

q) Participate as a member of the Organization’s Regional Response team to support member states affected by emergencies and disasters;

r) 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;

s) Collaborate in the preparation of the PHE’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic realities;

t) Perform any other duties, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline and a master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, or in a field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized institution.

Desirable: Formal training in humanitarian assistance 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/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: Nine years of combined national and international experience in humanitarian assistance, public health, International Health or related areas of work.

Desirable: Proven experience in emergency management, international aid, humanitarian principles, health systems recovery, and health cluster coordination 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.

- 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.

- Producing Results: Deliver quality results - 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 disaster management, emergency preparedness and response.

- Theoretical and practical knowledge in establishing and managing emergency operations, including formulation of strategies, plans of action, project proposals, budgets and reports; familiarity with the international actors in emergency preparedness and humanitarian assistance.

- Ability to identify priorities and develop strategies and activities to bring together all stakeholders to promote disaster response and preparedness.

- Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources.

- Knowledge and skills in project planning, management and evaluation, including resource mobilization and grant management.

- Strong public health and strategic thinking background showing resourcefulness, initiative, leadership qualities and skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key political and technical issues.

- Ability to integrate political, technical and managerial inputs into recommendations for decision-making.

- Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment to re-prioritize actions on short notice.

- 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 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. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Monthly Salary****: (Net of taxes)

US$6,242.75 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment****:

US$3,989.12 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.