Advisor, Reproductive Health

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/14/FT181 Title: Advisor, Reproductive Health Grade: P4 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  Two years, First year probationary period	Date: 11 April 2014 Application Deadline: 9 May 2014 (8 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Montevideo, Uruguay   Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) Family, Gender and Life Course (FGL) / Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health (CLAP)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The Family, Gender and Life Course (FGL) department of the Pan American Health Organization promotes, coordinates and implements technical cooperation at the regional, sub regional and country levels, emphasizing the central role of the family and community to foster a culture of health promotion and protection in which health is a social value and a human right. FGL focuses on the development and implementation of programs for women and men's health; sexual and reproductive health; maternal and neonatal health; the integrated health and development of children and adolescents; the health of aging populations; food and nutrition; comprehensive family immunization; and gender, equity and cultural diversity approaches.
Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the Director, Family, Gender and Life Course (FGL), and the direct supervision of the Center Director, Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health (CLAP), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties: a) Advise, plan and develop technical cooperation strategies, based on the analysis of the health situation in the Region and priority given to the area of work, and will establish a link with health systems development, the Millennium Development Goals and the international maternal-neonatal commitments; b) Promote the development of technical and management guidelines and best practice standards for the strengthening of reproductive health with emphasis on safe motherhood programs and services delivery, including the incorporation of risk approach and appropriate technology for improving program efficiency and effectiveness; c) Advise national authorities in the development of strategic action to improve, monitor and evaluate the maternal, and reproductive health and the access to health care considering the multiethnic diversity and inequities in the Region; provide a regional diagnosis of the status of public health services; d) Develop guidelines for the preparation, implementation and evaluation of regional activities oriented towards the advocacy, promotion and protection and operation of sexual reproductive health services; promote the inclusion of best practices, quality care and management of maternal and perinatal health care; e) Provide technical cooperation to Member States in developing national policies, legislation, programs and services for maternal and perinatal health; f) Promote the mobilization of national resources and international support for programs and projects in sexual reproductive health; maintain an up-to-date inventory of international resources that can be made available to the Organization and its Member Governments for the promotion and support of research, training and services activities in the field of woman health with a life cycle approach; g) Collaborate in the organization and administration of reproductive and maternal health programs within the primary health care with emphasis in reorganization of the health care models and the reorganization of regional services network; h) Advise and participate in the identification and mobilization of financial and human resources; promote training and development of national institutions; coordinate and strengthen activities with the Collaborating Centers Network in the area of maternal health; i) Develop research capabilities in the area of woman, maternal and reproductive health in keeping with the Organization's policies, the Collaborating Centers' capacities and the program and population needs of the countries; develop collaboration with other human reproduction programs; j) Cooperate with other technical advisors and areas to achieve effective integrated programs, including social communication and health promotion activities and the appropriate utilization of the Organization's resources in an integrated fashion; k) Collaborate in the preparation of CLAP technical reports and in the development of the CLAP biennial work plant (BWP) and semiannual programs of work (PTS), as well as the evaluation of its projects and activities; l) Act as the focal point for CLAP activities including: i. Coordinate technical cooperation in women health in the field of family planning, elimination of congenital syphilis and other aspects of reproductive health, ii. Collaboration of activities with WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research (WHO-RHR); monitoring projects and activities in the Region executed with international and national Collaborating centers; iii. Collaborate in joint activities with UNFPA, UNICEF, AID and other UN Agencies, NGOs, civil society for the development of women and reproductive health programs and projects; m) Represent PAHO/WHO at technical meetings in the field of women health, and develop or advise on solutions as required; n) Perform other related activities, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: A university degree in a health-related profession and a master's degree in public health, epidemiology, perinatal health, reproductive health, family and community health or related field form a recognized university.
Skills:  Key Behavioral Competencies 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. Information Management: Processes and analyzes the data objectively, presenting it clearly and equitably. Leads the effort to acquire relevant and selected information that facilitates the achievement of organizational results. Evaluates/leads the evaluation of information systems on the basis of its advantages/disadvantages for processing information relevant to the area of work. 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. Teamwork: Promotes team work and leads one's area to finish tasks and accept responsibility. Creates a positive environment within the area of work. Makes everyone feel like they are part of the team as well as welcomes and appreciates everyone's ideas and suggestions. Able to see the positive aspects of working as a team, shares the team's enthusiasm for achieving mutual goals. 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. 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. Service Orientation: Makes concrete attempts to add value to the client, to make things better for the client in some way. Is always aware of the client's need (internal and/or external clients). Resource mobilization: Works in an objective manner to obtain 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 - Expert knowledge in woman, maternal, perinatal, and family health programs and the organization of country health systems with focus on primary health care. - Ability to negotiate and coordinate with all relevant sectors of government, the private sector, international agencies, and organized community groups. - Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control. - Familiarity with the clinical aspects and essential interventions to support the health and well-being of targeted populations groups throughout the life course. - Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, conceptual, interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key political and technical issues. - 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 management health or inter-sectoral health and programs in the area of woman, maternal and perinatal health. Of these, at least five years 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 English or Spanish with 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. ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST. 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$ 67,611.00 at single rate US$ 72,605.00 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 47.3 % 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.
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
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Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.