Technical Officer, Maternal Health and Mortality Reduction

Overview

Provide technical support for maternal health programs

You have:

• A bachelor’s degree in a health or biological science related to the functions of the post from a recognized university.
• A master's degree in public health, family health or related field would be an asset.
• Five years of national professional experience managing health services and maternal, neonatal or reproductive health programs.
• At least three years of experience in implementing projects and programs in Maternal Health.
• Very good knowledge of Spanish with a working knowledge of English.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, particularly spreadsheets and presentations, as well as ERP and management information systems.

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 3,410 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 Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL) Department 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 gender, equity and cultural diversity approaches.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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

1. Provide support to national authorities for the development and implementation of strategies to improve maternal and women’s health, their access to health care, focusing on reducing maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity and taking into consideration gender and ethnic equality commitments, inequities in health, and the level of development of the country;
2. Collaborate on the preparation and revision of national and local level plans of actions; provide technical assistance to promote maternal health, reduction of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity; promote women's health strategies and activities within national programs and with gender sensitive and intercultural adaptation of the care services; advise Ministries of Health, public, and private sector organizations to introduce and strengthen women's health policies for preventive care to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
3. Collaborate and support the development of technical and management guidelines and best practice standards for the strengthening of maternal health programs and quality services delivery, including the incorporation of risk approach and appropriate technology for improving program efficiency and effectiveness and expanding access to life-saving obstetric care for women who need it;
4. Collaborate and support research in the areas of HIV prevention, treatment and care, and health issues related to women and maternal health;
5. Participate in the identification and mobilization of financial and human resources, including the development of appropriate project proposals; promote training and development of national institutions for this purpose; coordinate and strengthen activities with other United Nations (UN) organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society, universities, other international organizations and the private sector;
6. Collaborate and provide support for resource mobilization through the development of projects for internal or external funding;
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/WR), to strengthen training in the areas of perinatology, reproductive health and maternal health;
8. Collaborate for development and implementation of programmatic and operational research programs including the compilation of data from questionnaires/surveys that will contribute to addressing prevailing diseases affecting women and mothers such as mental health, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV, among others; develop inter-sectoral actions and promote institutional and community alliances;
9. Provide technical support and collaborate with the Country Office staff in supporting the national authorities in developing health policies, action plans and projects aimed at reducing barriers and increasing equitable access to maternal health interventions specially for pregnant women and adolescent girls; 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 Strategic Plan of the Organization;
10. Support the development and adaptation of tools and modules for maternal, neonatal, and child health care during emergency situations and disasters;
11. Collaborate in the preparation of the Representation´s Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic realities;
12. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health or biological science related to the functions of the post from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master's degree in public health, family health or related field 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: Five years of national professional experience managing health services and maternal, neonatal or reproductive health programs.

Desirable: At least three years of experience in implementing projects and programs in Maternal Health. Experience working in different cultural contexts, particularly related to social determinants and mainstreaming for health settings would be an asset.

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:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of public health, family health programs, and the organization of country health systems with focus on primary/sexual/reproductive health, gender, ethnicity, and life course approach.
• Sound knowledge of the technical, political and administrative aspects of health systems and primary health care.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the clinical aspects and essential interventions to support the healthy growth and development of women and mothers, as well as basic knowledge of health settings and strategies conducive to improvement of social determinants related to maternal mortality reduction.
• Theoretical and practical familiarity with concepts and methods applicable to development and management of the intercultural aspects of maternal health.
• Knowledge of strategic thinking, planning of human resources for health, information and information systems, political and stakeholder analysis, communication, negotiation methods, leadership development, 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 Spanish with a working knowledge of English.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, in particular spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Project would be an asset.

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.

Potential interview questions