Manager, Health Systems based on Primary Health Care

Application Deadline: 7 March 2011 (7 day(s) until closing deadline) Republished (Currently accepting applications) Duty Station: Washington, D.C., United States of America Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) Health Systems and Services (HSS)
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, 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 general supervision of Director (D) and the direct supervision of the Assistant Director (AD) the Manager is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Carry out technical cooperation following the mandates and policies of PAHO's and WHO's Governing Bodies, regarding: -Strengthening primary health care based health systems and services; -Extension of social protection in health; -Universal access to health services; -Strengthening the steering role of the national health authority, including the performance of essential public health functions; -Human resources for health development; -Technology, medicines and other related public health goods and services; -Health services organization and integrated service delivery including quality of care. b) Coordinate efforts, initiatives and resources intra- and inter-Area in order to ensure quality, timely and effective technical cooperation at the Regional level to develop, strengthen and sustain public policies, strategies, interventions and programs to guarantee the right to health; c) Promote and support the integration of health systems, services networks and programs in order to overcome fragmentation of health systems; d) Oversee the development of health research policies under the areas of responsibility; contribute to, and facilitate, regional and country efforts to develop sustainable local research capacity to conduct health research of national interest, including public health and health systems and to translate evidence-based findings into policy and practice; seek coherence between the Organization's activities and other global research efforts, including governmental and international agencies, and expert international scientific committees; e) Develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the Entity; 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 that results and products delivered by HSS are aligned with the Organizational Strategy and make significant contributions with the Expected Results (ER) and Strategic Objectives (SO), taking into consideration the six-cross cutting issues defined by the Organization (Ethnicity, Social Protection in Health, Gender, Health Promotion, Human Rights, and Primary Health Care) in order to achieve equity in health; f) Formulate and recommend policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the Governing Bodies' mandates related to the specialized PAHO programs, offices and centers; develop and establish guidelines, norms, practices and procedures to improve the Entity's effectiveness and efficiency; report to Governing Bodies, through executive presentations and reports, on the status or results of the Entity's activities; contribute actively in meetings of the Managers and Executive Management; g) Determine the viability of, and recommend projects and activities for the Entity, as well as determine strategies for implementation, including suitable financing, financial resources mobilization, and executing arrangements. Assure the timely monitoring, reporting and evaluation of results and accomplishments for the benefit of the Member States and the Organization; h) Administer, allocate and monitor the Entity's financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the Entity's program and budget proposals; plan and organize the formulation, development, implementation and control of information systems to monitor and improve the Entity's business processes. Oversee negotiation and approve contracts and agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal and state agencies, and other organizational entities; i) Participate in the definition of the Entity's personnel component, including their selection, training and development. Initiate and recommend approval of personnel actions for all Entity staff and assure timely personnel evaluations. Monitor the competencies of the Entity to ensure optimal performance and staff development, monitor workloads to ensure equitable distribution of work in the Entity and maintain job satisfaction, efficiency and output; and follow up on any deviation of work results from objectives; j) Promote team work across the Organization and the establishment of an environment which encourages participation, stimulates each staff member's creativity, and fosters a multidisciplinary approach to the solution of specific problems; k) Provide a stable managerial framework that demonstrates credibility, trust and value to Member States, clients and donors, while optimizing staff performance; l) Provide authoritative technical, managerial and policy advice in health systems and services to Team Coordinators and Sub-regional and Regional Advisors located in the countries; review reports submitted by staff and provide constructive feedback; m) Provide intellectual and managerial leadership to guide and motivate staff to work in a multicultural environment; ensure continuous training and development of staff; 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; n) 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 PAHO fundamentals, managerial competencies and technical expertise; o) Serve as communication link between the Assistant Director and the teams of the Entity on matters of policy, strategy, program implementation and evaluation; p) Identify, promote, establish, maintain, and coordinate liaison across PAHO, within WHO, with other United Nations organizations or with other partners, in order to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness; q) Support alignment of the international cooperation towards health system strengthening through a negotiated approach based on country needs; taking into consideration the sub-regional and regional integration process in the delivery of country-focused technical cooperation; r) Direct and participate in the development of policies and their implementation and provide authoritative advice in relation to policy and procedures under the areas of responsibility; s) Performs other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A university degree in a health or social science and a master's degree in health management, public health, international affairs or a related discipline from a recognized university.
Skills: Key Behavioral Competencies Intrainstitutional Action: Displays, through leadership and decisions, understanding of the political systems and underlying drivers. Plans and evaluates both unit and individual results to achieve the PAHO's mission. Requires that projects be grounded in scientific evidence and that they be consistent with PAHO's mission and values, and appropriate for the setting in which they will be carried out. Demonstrates a full commitment to the mission and values of the Organization by aligning the Entity of work with the strategic direction of the Organization. Communication: Instills a culture that encourages effective communication in multicultural environments. Models effective dialogue that seeks all opportunities of conversation with key players by displaying or underlying drivers. Seeks to align the Entity of work with a strategic direction of the organization by displaying underlying values. Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting: Leads one's Entity toward a culture of decision-making that is based upon objective analysis of situational evidence and application of previously acquired knowledge. Provides oversight in the verification process that targets how Entity of work takes action in situations that will require future intervention, based on ongoing analysis. Presents solutions evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Is capable of anticipating the implications of an analyzed situation for two years or more. Performance Management: Evaluates the performance of subordinates in terms of the organizational strategy, provides feedback offering measurable suggestions and promotes their professional development. Develops and implements realistic and achievable work plans--including tasks, priorities, resources and schedules. Adjusts goals and courses of action to meet changing needs. In a systematic way develops people through demanding and challenging projects utilizing each employee's competencies. Effectively uses the Organization's official performance evaluation processes and systems. Provides constant and positive feedback to focus development efforts. Teamwork: Develops a high performing team in one's operational Entity and also encourages teamwork across the Organization. Establishes and models the standard for teams and teamwork. Provides significant contributions when participating in internal and external work teams. Initiates and leads mutually beneficial productive interpersonal relationships based on trust, both inside and outside the Organization. Service Orientation: Creates, maintains and encourages a client orientated culture. Seeks information about the real, underlying needs of the client, beyond those expressed initially, and matches these to available (or customized) products or services. Looks for long-term relationships with the client. External Action: Develops and maintains mutually beneficial working productive partnerships. In the Entity under one's charge, monitors all activities, using transparency in the execution of all processes. Verifies that the conditions and deadlines set for turning in the product are met, and can objectively report on the results. Leverages external actors to actors to accomplish strategic goals. Resource Mobilization: Establishment of an internal Culture that supports the Organization's strategic direction program of work and the organizational results to enable effective resource mobilization. Supports and makes all efforts to increase the level of resources that are considered necessary for operations. Is capable of negotiating with different types of organizations. Uses the financial and non-financial resources with objectivity. Is able to achieve the goals and results with the resources they have. Technical Expertise Technical: Expert knowledge in at least one of the Entity's fields of specialization and considerable familiarity with other fields relevant to the Entity's responsibilities; substantial knowledge of international organizations and of Latin America, the Caribbean and North America. Managerial: Proven senior-level management and administrative skills, including recognized capacity to lead, motivate and supervise staff. Promote an information/communications culture in the Organization and greater participation in the generation and production of scientific materials, guidelines and technical reports on high priority topics. Administrative: Skills or experience with creation and integration of administrative procedures for the delivery of the highest quality results for the Entity; courtesy, tact, sensitivity to managing confidential information, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels and cultural background. 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: Fifteen years of combined national and international experience in progressively challenging managerial positions, working in the fields of public policies in health, health systems and services, health programming and human resources development.
Languages: Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a 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) $95,270.00 at single rate $103,070.00 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 40.7 % 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.
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.