Advisor, Health Systems and Services

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/11/FT46 Title: Advisor, Health Systems and Services Grade: P4 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract: Two years, first year probationary period	Date: 9 February 2011 Application Deadline: 23 March 2011 (23 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: La Paz, Bolivia Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) PAHO/WHO Representative Bolivia / Health Systems based on Primary Health Care
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Develop sound technical cooperation programs that develop and strengthen primary health care based health systems, health policies, health services and programs, technologies and medicines, health investment and financing, health research and development of human resources for health. Support country and territory capacities, facilitate inter-country networks and cooperation, and implement and evaluate inter-sectorial approaches.
Description of duties: Under the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and the technical guidance of the Manager, Health Systems based on Primary Health Care (HSS), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to the following assigned duties: a) Promote and support the establishment of policies, norms and standards for the design, organizing and functional programming and operation of health systems, integrated health services networks including hospital and other health facilities and services, and public health infrastructure and services; b) Provide technical cooperation for the development of health services, with emphasis on the primary health care and the structure and operation of local health systems that provide a setting for the joint participation of the public sector social security systems, the private sector, and government agencies; c) Support the strengthening of institutional capabilities for the adequate performance of the Steering Role of the National Health Authority, promoting the formulation and establishment of standards for the programming, operation, monitoring and evaluation of national health programs and facilities and Public Health Essential functions and services; d) Support the development of social protection systems and other institutional and nongovernmental sectors, in the context of national health policies and plans, as part of the development and strengthening of the steering role of the sector and health care systems; e) Collaborate in the organization and functioning and management of health systems and services and their units with an emphasis on the reorganization of the health sector and local health systems, including the following activities: i. Identify managerial and structural problems in health systems and services based on the Primary Health Care (PHC) Strategy, in the framework of extension of social protection in health; ii. Collaborate in identifying solutions through the application of current health knowledge, experience and technologies; support their introduction and transfer; iii. Participate and advise on health models and designs and human resources development; iv. Implement and advise on improvement of health communications, information and control systems; v. Design and recommend policies, methods and systems for the development and operation of health care systems and services based in the renewed Primary Health Care strategy; f) Contribute to basic and continuing education of health personnel at all professional levels and occupational categories through the transmission of updated knowledge in the areas of administration, organization, and delivery of health services; g) Provide advice and technical support to every component related to quality of care and the health services infrastructure (nursing, drugs, and medicine, support and logistic services, diagnostic and therapeutic, health information system including vital statistics and medical record) and to some priority programs based on family and community approach; h) Support the development and consolidation of the information system to assist in the decision-making processes and provide the necessary information on the health situation and trends in order to contribute to the consolidation of the strategic administration processes and the effective and efficient management of health services; i) Contribute to the coordination of delivery of the Organization's technical cooperation and financial assistance, working as part of the team of consultants assigned to the Country Office; j) Cooperate with WHO, regional and country offices, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers, international cooperation agencies, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders, in order to develop alliances and networks that favor access to quality primary care services, particularly for those most in need; k) Collaborate in the implementation of HSS's program of work in the country, including technical cooperation in technologies and medicines and health research; l) 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; m) 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; n) Coordinate the support of the decentralized technical cooperation in the departments of the country; o) Perform other functions as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: A university degree in one of the health, social or management sciences with a master's degree in public health, health systems/services administration or management from a recognized university.
Skills: Key Behavioral Competencies Intra-institutional Action: Leads team efforts toward full understanding of the policies the organization must operate within as well as the Standard of Conduct for the International Civil Services. Leads employees and co-workers toward operating in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization. Performance Management: Plans and takes concrete steps on one's own initiative to improve job performance and required competencies. Learns from one's mistakes, adjust goals and courses of action to meet changing needs. Conducts evaluation meetings with subordinates at the times stipulated, using the Organization's instruments and other specific to the area. Consistently motivates the staff members to improve their abilities, gives them tasks and activities that represent a challenge to them. Teamwork: Embraces and leads consensual decision-making that is, leading the fulfillment of team decisions, even when they may not fully coincide with one's own opinions or proposals. Knows how to manage difficult team situations and promotes consensus building. Takes responsibility for the team's successes and failures. Devising the budget for interventions and cost optimization: Demonstrates initiative and managerial capacity in obtaining alternative sources of financing and in mobilization extrabudgetary resources for interventions. Acquires adequate funding, based upon the resources allocated in intervention plans. Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions: Selects priority ideas for executing the interventions after anticipating their potential problems and solutions. Participates in the preparation of strategic plans, providing input about their impact, quality, critical points, and risks. Evaluation of technical cooperation interventions: Proposes criteria for evaluating interventions at the process, management, and outcome level, in addition to plans for evaluating technical cooperation, in keeping with the PAHO's strategic direction. Knowledge Management : Supports and develops networked and community working. Identifies, develops and nurtures networks and communities. Identifies and builds on working networks that enable knowledge and information flow. Designs and implements knowledge and information services. Enables utilization of knowledge and information sources. Delivers relevant knowledge and information in most appropriate form. Participates in and learns from networked and community approaches. Resource Mobilization: Works in an objective manner to obtain and apportion resources (financial and non-financial) according to need. Supports and advises technical areas to enable best use of resources are aligned with the mission and vision of the Organization. Is able to work in a multicultural environment. Is flexible and has the ability to work well under pressure. Is able to give feedback to partners within and outside the organization about the use of the resources and the results acquired. Technical Expertise: - Possess knowledge and skills in the areas of organization, management (including planning, financing, organization, staffing, directing and controlling) and provision of health care services (including primary, secondary, and tertiary care and Public Health services), and in strengthening PHC-based health systems. Competencies in regulation, financing and public health functions, 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. - Ability in management of health systems/services research, as well as competencies development in the area of public health. - Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria and instruments for evaluating program interventions - Knowledge and skills in policy analysis and project formulation, leadership and regulatory functions, financing and extension of social protection in health, public health functions and services, purchasing of services, educational development, human resources management, and operations research in primary health care services. - 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. IT Skills Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project would be an asset.
Experience: Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in areas related to health systems development, health services delivery, extension of health care services to underserved populations/areas, and developing strategies to overcome barriers to accessing health care services. Experience should also include management of health care services at either the facility or systems levels.
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.
Additional Information: A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW MAY BE HELD FOR THIS POST. APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$ 67,395.00 at single rate US$ 72,373.00 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 28.4 % 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.
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement