Senior Advisor, Family and Community Health Grade: P5

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : FCH promotes, coordinates and implements technical cooperation activities at the country level, emphasizing the central role of family and community to foster a culture of health promotion and protection in which health becomes a social value. It focuses on the development and implementation of maternal, perinatal and sexual reproductive health and nutrition programs including HIV/AIDS-STI. FCH supports the country, in collaboration with national and international partners, in identifying, developing, implementing and evaluating evidence-based approaches, which are mutually reinforcing and cover the whole spectrum of the life course from critical maternal and child survival actions to healthy growth and development into adulthood. The area provides technical cooperation/guidance in the design and development of research activities, policy, inter-sectoral programs and projects for family health in a primary health care context, and taking into consideration prevailing health situations, as well as socio-economic conditions.
Description of duties: Under the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and the technical guidance of the Manager, Family and Community Health (FCH), and in coordination with FCH's Project Team Coordinators, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Provide strategic advice and programmatic orientation on strategies for technical cooperation related to the planning, organization, operation, and evaluation of the Family Health and Food Security Inter-programmatic Team; b) Provide technical support to national authorities in the development of strategic actions to improve health of the family, and its access to health care taking into consideration the multi-ethnic diversity and inequities in health of the country, and other family and community health priorities; c) Advise in the preparation and revision of national and local level plans of actions; provide technical assistance to promote integrated child, adolescent, mother (maternal health and mortality reduction) and women's health strategies and activities within national programs and with intercultural adaptation of the care services; advise Ministries of Health, public, private and university sector organizations to introduce and strengthen child, adolescent and women's policies for preventive care in order to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's); d) Lead the design, implementation and evaluation of integrated health care models based on Primary Health Care (PHC) strategies, prevention and promotion of health, development of evidence-based inter-sectoral policies and plans, especially related to maternal and child health, sexual-reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS; e) Apply a Result Based Management approach to assess the technical cooperation needs of the country; formulate objectives, targets, and lines of action for the Inter-programmatic Team; develop methodologies for program execution to achieve those targets and objectives taking into account the country's needs and the orientation and policies of the Organization. Ensure that the results are aligned with the Representation's biennial and multi-year plans, including monitoring, controlling and evaluation of activities, adjustments to any deviations, such as redefined objectives or strategies; plan and supervise program execution; provide periodic evaluations of Team performance; f) Utilize information (epidemiological and surveillance data) to assess the impact of interventions and to set programmatic priorities for the Organization; promote sharing of country experiences, lessons learned and best practices. g) Promote technical cooperation among countries, networking of experts and centers of excellence and reference, joint initiatives with other agencies, professional associations, media, represent the Organization at international, regional and national meetings. h) Collaborate with Member Governments in applying evidence-based principles and methods to planning, administering and evaluating national family and community health programs, and in developing and strengthening national training programs for all levels of health care personnel involved in this area of work. i) Administer, allocate and monitor and control the Inter-programmatic Team's financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the Area's program and budget proposals; plan and organize the formulation, development, implementation and control of information systems to monitor and improve the area's activities.; j) Participate in the definition of the Inter-programmatic Team's personnel, including their selection, training and development. Initiate and recommend approval of personnel actions for all staff assigned and assure timely personnel evaluations. Monitor the competencies of the staff to ensure optimal performance and staff development, monitor workloads to ensure equitable distribution of work and maintain job satisfaction, efficiency and output; and follow up on any deviation of work results from objectives; k) Coordinate project development and program activities with other regional programs; assist the Representative in coordinating activities with institutions and organizations involved in or support work in the same area of responsibility; l) Provide technical, international advocacy, coordination and collaboration on program activities on Family Health and Food Safety with governmental and non-governmental agencies in cooperation with FCH, CLAP and the Representation; m) Provide authoritative technical, managerial and policy advice to national authorities and technical staff within the Representation; review reports submitted by staff and provide constructive feedback; n) Provide a stable managerial framework that demonstrates credibility, trust and value to Member States, clients and donors, while optimizing staff performance; o) Advise, prepare and support the participation of national authorities in the Governing Bodies Meetings in close coordination with the Representative; p) Identify possible sources of external funding and resources in support of national programs and oversee the preparation and negotiation of projects, funding proposals, research grants and contracts addressing public health priorities; q) Serve as communication link between the Representative and the Teams of the Office on matters of policy, strategy, program implementation and evaluation; r) Promote team work across the Representation 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; s) Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring of staff through setting of clear work objectives, use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications, and solving interpersonal conflicts or resolving technical debates; coordinate the institutional development plans under area of responsibility; t) Identify, promote, establish, maintain, and coordinate partnerships across the Organization, within WHO, with other United Nations organizations or with other partners, in order to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness; u) Serve as an active member of Planning and Administration Group (GPA), the Group for Management Coordination (GCAC), Inter-programmatic Group (GI), Expanded Inter-programmatic Group (GIA) and the Plenary (PG); advise the Representative on all aspects related to technical organization and follow-up on recommendations made at these meetings; v) Represent the PAHO/WHO Representative and other senior level staff in the Office as requested; w) Perform other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A university degree in a health-related profession and a master's degree in public health, family health, epidemiology 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. -- Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions: Evaluates the ideas for interventions in terms of their potential for change and transformation before deciding to execute them. Follows the Organization's strategy in executing technical cooperation interventions in order to generate expected results. -- 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. Uses a regular evaluation system. Provides constant and positive feedback to focus development efforts. -- 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. -- Accountability: Accepts responsibility for the results, for the work of subordinates, for the tasks delegated, the deadlines, and any deviations from them. Requires and oversees the adherence according to the budget. Monitors the progress made upon reaching the objectives and deadlines. For any deviations on the work plan, looks for corrective actions. -- Teamwork: Develops a high performing team in one's operational area 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. -- 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. -- 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: Extensive expertise at a senior decision-making level, in particular in managing complex health programs/health systems at both national and international levels; expert knowledge of family health programs and the organization of country health systems with focus on primary health care. Wide and varied knowledge of public health problems and health management processes. Monitor and report of program performance and evaluating family health strategies. -- Managerial: Extensive experience in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of a large public or private administration of administrative matters requiring sensitive negotiation and high level intervention and in organizational development. Management of health administration and knowledge of international legislation. -- Administrative: Skills or experience in resource mobilization and familiarity with financial management, and the creation and integration of administrative platforms for the deliver of the highest quality Finance, Budget, Human Resources, General Administrative and Infrastructure services. 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 will be an asset.
Experience: Thirteen years of combined national and international more progressively responsible experience in managing inter-sectoral health or social projects and programs in the area of family health. Experience should include development of policies, ability to negotiate and coordinate with all relevant sectors of government, the private sector, international agencies and organized community groups.
Languages: Very good knowledge of Portuguese or English, with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of Spanish and/or French 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 $80,629. at single rate US $86,791. with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 86.7 % 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.
INTERVIEWS MAY BE USED AS A FORM OF SCREENING
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