Advisor, Mental Health

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/11/FT33 Title: Advisor, Mental Health Grade: P4 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract: Two years, first year probationary period	Date: 24 January 2011 Application Deadline: 7 March 2011 (7 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Washington, D.C., United States of America Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) Sustainable Development & Environmental Health (SDE)/Mental Health (SDE/MH)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The Area of Sustainable Development and Environmental Health (SDE) of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) represents a multidisciplinary team that, together with other technical areas and collaborating centers, leads innovative, inter-sectoral and strategic efforts to address the determinants of health, to reduce health risks and to promote healthy social and physical environments where people live, study, work and play as a substantial and essential element of Human Security for Sustainable Development and health equity.
Description of duties: Under the general guidance of the Area Manager (SDE), and the direct supervision of the Senior Advisor, Mental Health, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Advise, plan, develop, implement, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate technical cooperation of mental health policies, plans, legislation and services as well as the creation and dissemination of effective programs to decrease the burden of mental disorders; with particular attention to English Speaking Caribbean countries; b) Coordinate the sub-regional technical cooperation in the English Speaking Caribbean countries in programs/activities related to the development and implementation of national mental health and substance abuse plans and services leading to the restructuring of the mental health systems c) Provide technical cooperation and develop strategies actions on mental health and consumer's protection; collaborate in the Organization's inter-programmatic activities in areas related to mental health; d) Develop and coordinate regional technical cooperation activities related to the mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders as well as the development and implementation of national mental health programs and services focus on children and adolescents; e) Develop and coordinate regional technical cooperation activities related to the mental health protection in disasters situation; f) Coordinate at regional level the process to collect and disseminate updated scientific and technical information; support the development of national information systems; g) Collaborate with management of resources to achieve both the short-term and long-term results identified in the Strategic Plan of the Organization managing specific portfolio activities, and ensure reporting of results, information and analysis; h) Participate in discussions on mental health with governments, donors and other partners, at national and international levels; i) Support the mobilization of political, technical and financial resources to support and expand regional, sub-regional and national programs and activities related to mental health; j) Participate in the analysis of the Regional situation on mental health and consumers' protection; consolidate and disseminate information related to situations and trends in mental health; k) Support, promote, or strengthen national or international networks directed to improve and implement mental health plans, programs and projects; l) Support and promote technical cooperation among countries in the field of mental health; participate in the coordination of Collaborating Centers in the field of mental health; m) Contribute to the Virtual Library in Health with important documents and experiences in developing and implementing policies on mental health; n) Collaborate in the preparation of the SDE's Biennial Work Plan (BWO) and the execution of international cooperation projects, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic realities; o) 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; p) Perform others duty as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A university degree in a health-related science and a master's degree in psychiatry, public health or a related field from a recognized institution.
Skills: -- Intrainstitutional 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 Service. 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. -- Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting: After analyzing situations on the basis of the available evidence and knowledge, leads one's area of responsibility toward individual and collective actions. Encourages the importance of continual analysis. Verifies and promotes that action is taken in situations that will require future intervention, based on ongoing analysis. Leads others in decisions needed to implement required actions. Is capable of anticipating the implications of analyzed situations between one and two years ahead. -- Evaluation of technical cooperation interventions: Evaluates criteria for the interventions at the process, management, and outcome level, in addition to technical cooperation evaluation plans, in keeping with the PAHO's strategic direction. -- Devising the budget for interventions and cost optimization: Demonstrates initiative and managerial capacity in obtaining alternative sources of financing and in mobilizing 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. -- 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. -- Knowledge Management: Shares knowledge and information appropriately and participates in activities to facilitate sharing. Develops tools and protocols for creation, integration and dissemination of knowledge. Researches opportunities, methods and approaches for delivering value through improved knowledge. -- 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: - Technical expertise in current and new concepts on mental health programs; management or evaluation of mental health services; promotion of public health regulations and interventions. - Practical expertise in the development of strategies, programs and interventions for prevention and treatment mental health disorders, preferable in low and middle income countries. - Research expertise in applying quantitative and qualitative methodologies to document situations, outcomes and lessons learned. - Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria for evaluating program interventions, including budget programming control. - Strong public health and strategic thinking background showing resourcefulness, initiative, leadership qualities and skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key political and technical issues. - 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. 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 the planning and management of mental health services and programs, including mental health policy formulation and implementation and restructuring of mental health services. Desirable: Work experience in teaching and research in mental health would be an asset.
Languages: Very good knowledge of English and Spanish. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
Additional Information: A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW MAY BE HELD FOR THIS POST. CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US $67,400. at single rate US $72,400. with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 42.6 % 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