Technical Officer, Health Systems and Services

Contract

This is a NO-B 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 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 3,397 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 is a requisition for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) The primary objective of the Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS) is to strengthen health systems based on Primary Health Care, supporting universal access to health and universal health coverage. Its work encompasses the following areas: strengthening of health systems stewardship and governance to achieve universal access to health and address the social determinants of health, including social protection in health; strengthening of regulatory frameworks and financial protection for progressive realization of the right to health; organizing people-centered, integrated health service delivery; promoting access to and rational use of quality, safe, and effective health technologies; health policies, and technical cooperation; and developing human resources for health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES Under the general guidance of the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR) and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Health Systems and Services, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide strategic, technical and programmatic support for the development, update and implementation of evidence-based policies, plans and strategies to improve the capacity of the health services networks to provide comprehensive quality services that are people, family and community centered;
2. Provide technical cooperation for the implementation of quality improvement of programs and interventions of the health services networks, including the preparation of norms, guidelines and strategies and capacity building;
3. Provide strategic, technical and programmatic support for the creation, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health services and community-based interventions and the development of tools and capacities to assess the performance of the network of health services at the departmental and municipal levels;
4. Provide support for the development of managerial systems to improve performance of the health services at the Departmental and Municipal levels, and to improve access to comprehensive quality health services including community-based interventions;
5. Develop innovative technical cooperation activities to support the re-orientation of health services and task shifting with emphasis on the continuity of services across the life course, extending from health promotion and prevention to rehabilitative and palliative care, with due attention to the differentiated and unmet needs of all people, the specific needs of populations in conditions of vulnerability, human rights, and gender and cultural sensitivity approaches required to overcome health inequities at the local level;
6. Provide technical, strategic advice and programmatic direction for the implementation of the program of work for designing and applying the approach of integrated health service delivery networks, within the context of the country Family and Community Model of Health for the expansion of quality services at the departmental and municipal levels for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage;
7. Provide technical support to hospitals in their development as integrated resources of the PHC-based health systems;
8. Provide technical support to the Country to strengthen the coordination/integration of priority health programs (i.e. HIV, TB, NCDs, Mental Health, etc.) and cross-cutting themes (Gender, Human Rights and Ethnicity) in service delivery, with emphasis on the first level of care;
9. Develop knowledge management and operations research initiatives related to health systems and services with emphasis on models of care that focus on people and communities, with due focus on the differentiated needs of people (gender, ethnic, age, etc.);
10. Provide support for the development of data (including the use of Information Communication Technologies), their integration with broader health information systems, the production of analysis, amenable to organizational and evaluative research; produce on a periodic basis an analysis of the situation of the health care networks at the municipal level, including the identification of good practices and the analysis and resolution of issues, to ensure adequate performance;
11. Promote and undertake key actions that favor the implementation of a Model to improve quality and performance of the integrated network of health services at the municipal level, taking into consideration existing legislation;
12. Contribute to the development, planning, and training of Human Resources in Health aimed at increasing the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of the workforce, and organize, conduct, or facilitate capacity-building activities;
13. Advocate and provide strategic, technical and programmatic advice and support for the development, update and implementation of policies, plans and strategies favoring access, regulation, production, rational use of medicines and other health technologies (including safe blood and organ transplants);
14. Provide support for the strengthening of National Regulatory Authority (NRA) based on established institutional development plan;
15. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education: Essential: A bachelor’s degree in one of the health, social or management sciences related to the functions of the post from a recognized university.

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: Five years of experience in areas related to health systems management, health services delivery, extension of basic health care services to underserved populations/areas and developing strategies to overcome barriers to accessing basic health care services. Desirable: Working experience at the national level in Family, Community Model of Health and Primary Health Care and the management of quality performance of health services delivery.

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. - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/ attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues. 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: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Write effectively/Listen/Shares knowledge - Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (e.g., power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed. Knowing and managing yourself: Manages stress/Invite feedback/Continuously learn - Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and/or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps. Producing Results: Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines 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 - Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

• Knowledge and skills in the areas of organization, management and provision of health care services (including primary, secondary, and tertiary care and public health services), and in strengthening PHC-based health systems.
• Ability to design and develop project interventions, knowledge and skills in project planning, management and evaluation, and grant management.
• Expertise in extension of health care services to underserved populations/areas, equity in access to health care services, quality of health services, and strategies to overcome barriers to accessing health care services.
• Expertise in community participation and people engagement for the planning, monitoring and evaluation of service delivery, including health literacy and selfcare.
• Ability in management of health systems/services research, as well as competencies in development in the area of public health.
• Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• 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 Spanish with a working knowledge of English.

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) C$ 1,281,943.00

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. Candidates must hold a permanent local working visa (citizenship or permanent resident card) of Nicaragua. 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.