Unit Chief, Human Resources for Health

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 188,699 USD and 236,483 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 primary objective of the Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS) is to strengthen health systems based on Primary Health Care, supporting universal health. Its work encompasses the following areas: strengthening of health systems stewardship and governance to achieve universal 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 supervision of the Assistant Director (AD), and the direct supervision of the Director, Health Systems and Services (HSS), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical, policy and strategic advice and programmatic direction with respect to the development of technical cooperation strategies, alliances and networks for the development of Human Resources for Health (HRH) policies and plans in the Region;
2. Provide technical cooperation to Member States and subregional entities in the development of HRH plans, policies, strategies and regulations responsive to the changing health needs of their populations and aligned with universal access to health and universal health coverage, the transformation of health systems based on primary health care and the implementation of integrated health services networks;
3. Plan, guide and support the development of a regional agenda of human resources for health, as a platform to facilitate technical cooperation between countries in priority areas of common interest, and the related methodologies for monitoring and evaluation;
4. Advise, promote and support the development of technical strategies, initiatives and programs to improve the institutional capacity for leadership and strategic planning and management of human resources for health of national authorities, involving relevant government sectors and social actors, such as professional and student associations, health workers organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the different levels of the health system;
5. Support the strengthening and transformation of education in health sciences, promote intersectoral collaboration across health and education sectors aiming at improved quality and relevance, and engaging Health Schools and Faculties to support the generation of a health workforce responding to health needs, in particular in underserved areas, actively contributing to the progressive achievement of Universal Health based on Primary Health Care (PHC) approach;
6. Provide technical cooperation in the production, collection, analysis and dissemination of health workforce data and its articulation with National Health Workforce Accounts and broader health information systems in general to support policy and decision-making; advise Member States in the monitoring of the movement and the international migration of health workers;
7. Support the identification, analysis and monitoring of competencies of the health workforce to ensure technical quality, cultural acceptability, responsiveness and relevance of health services provided; advise in the development of continuing education systems, e-learning and telemedicine networks to support interprofessional health teams, particularly in rural and remote areas;
8. Provide technical cooperation on the adequate management of the health workforce to ensure fair working conditions and social protection; safe and healthy working environments; and the adoption of appropriate incentives and methods to stimulate the motivation and encourage optimal performance of health personnel;
9. Collaborate with Member States in applying evidence-based principles and methods in the planning, administering and evaluating of human resources for health programs, and in developing and strengthening national training programs for all levels of health care personnel;
10. Identify, promote, establish, maintain, and coordinate across the Organization, within WHO, with other United Nations organizations or with other partners, in order to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness; support priority programs in health in the strengthening health workforce capacity to support the delivery of program objectives;
11. Provide authoritative technical, managerial and policy advice to staff assigned to the Unit, including subregional staff; review reports submitted by staff and provide constructive feedback;
12. Develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the Unit; ensure an Organization-wide approach and strategies and objectives that are aligned with the Organization’s mission, vision, values, policies, strategies, business needs and priorities, in order to ensure continuing operations and maximize results. Ensure management of the workplan and budget and ensure the results are aligned with the Department’s biennial and multi-year plans, including monitoring of activities, adjustments to any deviations, such as redefined objectives or strategies;
13. Formulate and recommend policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the Governing Bodies’ mandates related to the work of the Unit; develop and establish guidelines, norms, practices and procedures to improve the Unit’s effectiveness and efficiency; report to Governing Bodies, through executive presentations and reports, on the status or results of the Unit's activities;
14. Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring of supervised staff by setting clear work objectives, ensuring timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, engaging in regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment, to include staff development in the Organization’s fundamentals, managerial competencies and technical expertise;
15. Promote a culture of ethical behavior and integrity in accordance with the Organization’s Code of Ethical Principles and Conduct in order to ensure a culture of respect, responsibility, accountability, and compliance;
16. Collaborate in the Organization's response to emergency situations; provide technical expertise in order to facilitate timely response as required;
17. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health-related profession and a master’s degree in public health, health systems/services administration or in any other field 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, a scanned copy of the degree(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database, a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Experience****:

Essential: Thirteen years of combined national and international experience in the field of planning, management, and education of human resources for health, and research, with leadership positions in public administration or relevant institutions.

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****: 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****: Advocates for collaboration across the Organization - Creates and encourages a climate of team- working and collaboration across the Organization; sees cooperation as a key Organizational priority and creates collaborative systems and processes to achieve Organizational goals. Actively identifies and tackles disagreements between internal and external counterparts that compromise the Organization’s goals and mandate; diplomatically facilitates the resolution of conflicts between others and ensures strategic partnerships with a range of key stakeholders; maintains and extends an effective collaborative network of individuals inside and outside the Organization.
• Communication****: Share knowledge - Shares decisions and directives of senior management and communicates them in a manner that ensures both understanding and acceptance; shares knowledge and best practice at the three Organizational levels (country, regional and global), as necessary.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment****: Provide direction/Support, motivate and empower others - Oversees and provides teams and departments with clear managerial directions which are translated from Organizational strategy. Builds a performance culture in the Organization; contributes to setting Organizational performance goals and standards; monitors Organizational performance against milestones and strategic goals; identifies and nurtures talent as appropriate. Promotes autonomy and empowerment throughout the Organization; inspires enthusiasm and a positive attitude in people towards their work and contribution to the Organization’s success.
• 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.
• Driving the Organization to a successful future****: Constructive leadership style/ Set the vision and build commitment - Leads and develops a road map for successfully achieving real progress in the Organization’s mandate, including consultation with key stakeholders; demonstrates respectful, trustworthy, transparent and accountable behavior in order to develop a reliable and coherent identity for the Organization. Creates a coherent Organizational vision of shared and successful goals; fosters a culture of vision and long- term goals, recognizing and rewarding efforts to maximize the Organization’s value.

Technical Expertise:

• Technical: Extensive progressive expertise at a senior decision-making level in Human Resources for Health (HRH) policy, planning, information and management; in-depth understanding of the relationships between human resources policies, the development and organization of health systems and services and the broader social, political and economic environment. Wide and varied knowledge of public health problems and health management processes, including monitoring and performance assessment in the health or social sector, and disciplines related to human resources management and strategic planning processes.
• Managerial: Extensive expertise in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of administrative and technical matters requiring sensitive negotiation and high-level intervention and in organizational development. Demonstrated ability to provide professional leadership to strategic, organizational, managerial and analytic work in health; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations, sensitive issues; management of working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural background.
• Administrative: Skills in resource mobilization (including fundraising and partner collaboration) and financial management for the delivery of expected results.

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

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

USD $90,664.00 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

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

PAHO/WHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.

It 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.

Its 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. It has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

It 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 are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station.

Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post.