Advisor, Human Resources for Health Grade: P4

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/12/FT242 Title: Advisor, Human Resources for Health Grade: P4 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract: Two years, first year probationary period.	Date: 21 June 2012 Application Deadline: 20 July 2012 (25 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Lima, Peru Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR-Peru)/Health Systems and Services (HSS)/Human Resources for Health (HSS/HRH)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : Develop sound technical cooperation programs that strengthen health systems based on primary health care, health policies, health services and programs, technologies and medicines, health investment and financing, health research and the 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 PAHO/WHO Representative, and the technical supervision of the Senior Advisor, Human Resources for Health (HSS/HR), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties: a) Design and execute technical cooperation strategies at the country and sub-regional levels to strengthen capacities in the development, implementation and evaluation of human resources policies and plans, including the monitoring of the Regional Goals for Human Resources for Health (HR) 2007 -2015, and the adoption of adequate legal and regulatory frameworks; b) Advise and collaborate in the development of HR policies, plans and interventions coherent with and supportive of the transformation of health systems and services towards universal coverage, the renewal of primary health care, the development of integrated networks of services and the family and community health approach; c) Promote, facilitate and provide orientations and technical expertise for the establishment of effective mechanisms of communication and coordination between the national health authority and other sectors of government activity, such as Finance, Education, Planning and Labor, in constructing the viability and sustainability of human resources policies and plans; d) Promote, facilitate and provide technical orientations for the development of effective strategies and instances to involve the relevant stakeholders, such as professional associations, academic institutions and their associations, health workers unions, organizations of civil society and the private sector, in the elaboration of policy and regulatory frameworks and plans, and ensure their contribution and commitment with the implementation; e) Support the development of information, coordination and training networks for the management of human resources for health between the national health authority and the sub-national health jurisdictions; f) Advise and provide technical expertise in the development of health human resources core data and information systems at country level, their integration with broader health information systems, the production of analysis and policy briefs and the identification of knowledge gaps, amenable to organizational and evaluative research; g) Contribute to the identification of priorities and to the strengthening of a capacity for HRH research linked at the national, sub-regional and regional levels; h) Promote and instrument the development of learning networks and communities of practice and the use of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), for the active exchange of data, knowledge, experiences, expertise, good practices, systems, methods and instruments relevant to the development of the health workforce within and between countries; i) Advise and support the development of learning policies and plans and the design of training interventions and continuing education programs for the in-service health workforce; promote a better alignment between pre-service education in health sciences, public health and health technicians with the profiles and competencies required by the health system and population health needs, with special consideration to gender aspects and to cultural, rural and underserved communities and population groups; j) Advise and support the development of good managerial practices for HRH, including the promotion of the concept of decent work and of safe and supportive working environments for health personnel; the establishment of systems of incentives to productivity and the adequate distribution and retention of health workers with regard to needs; k) Lead and coordinate, in close relation with the PWRs and the focal point for human resources for health in the countries under responsibility, the formulation, execution and evaluation of program and budget plan for the biennium. Participate and develop common strategies with other professionals of the country offices on all aspects related to human resources, in particular on the scaling up of human resources; manage with transparency and effectiveness the financial resources under his/her responsibility, including extra-budgetary resources; l) Provide direct technical advice to senior policy makers of the ministries of health, labor and education and social security institutes on human resources issues; promote inter-sectoral relations and organize inter-country policy and technical dialogues; m) Develop and update a dynamic mapping of governmental and non-governmental organizations, agencies, specialized institutions, associations, professional colleges, centers of excellence and experts at national and sub-regional levels relevant to the field of human resources in the countries under his/her responsibility; monitor their main orientations and lines of action; produce a periodic analysis of human resources situation, trends and issues; n) Develop partnerships with and engage the financial and technical cooperation agencies active in the countries under his/her responsibility in the development of an integrated inter-agency plan of work consistent with the main human resources problems and policies defined at the sub-regional level; 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) Promote, support and monitor the activities of the Leaders Program in International Health, Fellowship and PALTEX Program in the countries; q) Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A university degree in one of the health, social, or management sciences and a master's degree in public health, health systems/services administration or education sciences from a recognized university.
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. -- Performance Management: Plans and takes concrete steps on one's own initiative to improve job performance and required competencies. Learns from one's mistakes, adjusts goals and courses of action to meet changing needs. Conducts evaluation meetings with subordinates at the times stipulated, using the Organization's instruments and others specific to the area. Consistently motivates the staff members to improve their abilities, gives them tasks and activities that represent a challenge to them. -- Leadership: Uses complex strategies to promote team morale and productivity. Obtains needed personnel, resources and information for the team. Makes sure the practical needs of the team are met. -- 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. -- 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 the areas of human resources development, policies, planning and regulation, management of health human resources, analysis of labor markets and work conditions. - Expertise in health education, life-long learning, continuing education and professional development; quality improvement and accreditation of education programs and institutions. - Expertise in strategic thinking, planning of human resources for health, information and information systems, political and stakeholder analysis, communication, negotiation methods, leadership development, health system performance. - Leadership development; utilization of information and communication technologies and networking. - Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria and instruments for evaluating program interventions. - 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: Nine years of combined national and international experience in areas related to health system development, human resources, planning and policies; development of systems and strategies to improve the competencies of health personnel and the strengthening of related institutional capacities.
Languages: Very good knowledge of Spanish or English with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
Additional Information: PAHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance scheme, and 30 days annual leave. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, assignment grant, rental subsidy, and home leave. CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW WILL BE HELD FOR THIS POST. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES. THIS VACANCY MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER POSITIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT MAY BECOME VACANT AT A LATER DATE, AND WHICH HAVE SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES AS THE ONES STATED IN THIS NOTICE.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US $67,480. at single rate US $72,470. with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 46.4 % 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.
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.