Technical Officer, Family and Community Health

Contract

This is a NO-C contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about NO-C contracts.

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This is a requisition 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, 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 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), 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 Representative, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical support to national authorities in the development of strategic actions to improve women, maternal, perinatal, neonatal, infant, child, adolescent, youth, men and elderly health and their access to health care, taking into consideration the multi-ethnic diversity , inequities in health, social determinants and level of development of the country;
2. Provide technical support for the preparation and revision of national and regional level plans of actions; provide technical assistance to promote integrated child, adolescent, mother (maternal health and mortality reduction) and women’s health strategies and activities within national programs and with intercultural adaptation of the care services; support the Ministry of Health, public, private and university sector organizations to introduce and strengthen child, adolescent, women and elderly health policies for preventive care to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
3. Collaborate in the design, implementation and evaluation of integrated health care models based on Primary Health Care (PHC) strategies, prevention and promotion of health, development of evidence-based, inter-sectoral policies and plans, especially those related to maternal, neonatal, child health, sexual-reproductive health and elderly health, in close collaboration with other technical advisors in the Organization;
4. Support the development of technical and management guidelines and best practice standards for the strengthening of maternal, neonatal, perinatal, child and elderly health programs, and services delivery, including the incorporation of risk approaches and appropriate technology for improving program efficiency and effectiveness;
5. Provide technical support to Regional Health Authorities for the strategic development and introduction of quality systems for people-centered health services delivery that focuses on women, children and adolescents, based on the best available scientific knowledge, including clinical protocols, diagnostics and therapeutic algorithms and data sets and work closely with priority programs (i.e. HSS, NMH, CDE, PHE) to ensure synergies and complementarity;
6. Participate in the identification and mobilization of financial and human resources, including the development of appropriate project proposals; coordinate and strengthen activities with other United Nations (UN) organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society, universities, other international organizations and the private sector;
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) and other Caribbean institutions, to strengthen training in the areas of perinatology, reproductive health, maternal, neonatal, child health, nutrition, and elderly health;
8. Promote and undertake key actions that favor the implementation of community family health policies, taking into consideration existing legislation;
9. Participate in and provide support for the development of technical guidelines and good practice approaches for improving health trajectories for individuals across the life course, and risk approaches including those that address gender based violence;
10. Promote and support research including the compilation of various questionnaires/surveys that will contribute to addressing prevailing diseases affecting mothers, newborns, children, adolescents, women, men, and elderly people, such as mental health, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV, among others; develop inter-sectoral actions and promote institutional and community alliances;
11. Cooperate with the Country Office Staff in supporting and developing health policies, action plans and projects aimed at increasing equitable access to health care for mothers, newborns, children, adolescents, women, men, elderly; 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 family and community health area;
12. Support the development, adaptation and implementation of tools and modules for maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent and elderly health care during emergency situations and disasters; plan, organize and provide technical inputs for national and subregional meetings, workshops, courses, etc., on family and community health related subjects;
13. Advocate for and support national authorities in the use of a gender, equity and determinants of health approach in the design, implementation and evaluation of healthy public policies and initiatives, strengthening social participation and inter-sectoral action at national and local levels to ensure healthy and enabling settings;
14. Collaborate and provide inputs for the preparation of the Biennial Work Plan (BWP), programs and budgets, semiannual work plans, and periodic evaluations for assigned projects;
15. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health discipline related to the functions of the position from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master’s degree in public health or specialization in pediatrics, gynecology and 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: Seven years of national professional experience in managing inter-sectoral health or social projects and programs in the area of family health with emphasis on sexual and reproductive health.

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.
• Teamwork****: Collaborate and cooperate with others/Deal effectively with conflict - Creates team spirit; promotes collaboration and open communication in the team; proactively supports others; welcomes team responsibilities and drives team results; promotes knowledge sharing in the team. Proactively identifies conflicts and facilitates their resolution in a respectful manner; tactfully resolves conflicts between or with others and takes action to reduce any possible tension; effectively builds a rapport with individuals and teams, establishing good personal and professional relationships, as well as minimizing risk of potential conflict.
• 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****: 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****: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Prioritizes work, monitors own progress against objectives and adapts plans as required; communicates adjustments as necessary. Acts proactively and stimulates action as needed; handles problems effectively and constructively. Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own time lines 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 - Actively supports Organizational change initiatives and demonstrates personal commitment to them, including when faced with new demands; proposes workable solutions to challenging situations. Engages in positive responses to a changing environment and promotes workable solutions to achieve own and team’s results. Welcomes, and actively seeks to apply, new ideas, approaches and working methods and technologies in order to improve own and/or team’s work processes and results; demonstrates commitment to Organizational change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge in public health, family health programs, and the organization of national health systems with focus on primary/sexual/reproductive health, gender, ethnicity, and life course approach.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the clinical aspects and essential interventions to support the healthy growth and development of all members of a family with a life course approach, as well as basic knowledge of health settings and strategies conducive to improvement of social determinants related to health inequities and preventable disparities.
• Theoretical and practical familiarity with concepts and methods applicable to development and management of the intercultural aspects of child and maternal health.
• Knowledge and skills in formulating and developing tools for monitoring and evaluating family and reproductive health strategies.
• Knowledge of strategic thinking, planning of human resources for health, information and information systems, political and stakeholder analysis, communication, negotiation methods, leadership development, intra- and intersectoral coordination 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. A working knowledge of Spanish and/or French 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

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

TTD 529,316.00

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Local Recruitment)

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade 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 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 offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (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.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.

This is a locally recruited post and is only available for citizens of CARICOM Member States (Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago). Candidates must hold a permanent local working visa or be citizens of a country from CARICOM to apply.

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 organizational purposes.