Health and Wellbeing Local Governance Specialist

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)
The Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity Department (DHE) leads intersectoral, strategic and collaborative efforts at the regional, subregional and country levels, enabling countries to reduce health inequities, promote health and well-being, address social determinants of health – including its commercial, economic, political dimensions – to integrate equity, human rights, gender and interculturality into the public health agenda, and to address the threats of climate change, to create healthy environments and to prevent disease by addressing environmental risk factors.
The incumbent is a member of the Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity Department (DHE), supporting all the technical cooperation activities included in the entity’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP). As part of DHE, the incumbent will collaborate with the different initiatives of the Health Promotion and Social Determinants Unit and provide strategic and technical advice for health promotion and local governance. He/she will provide technical cooperation to implement policies, strategies and plans on health promotion and local governance that address the social determinants of health in coordination with regional advisers. He/she will oversee the implementation and monitoring of available funding, including financial reporting. He/she will support the health promotion and social determinants unit in the monitoring and evaluation of activities of the Unit and contribute to develop data and indicators to evaluate the impact of activities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the general guidance of the Director, Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity (DHE) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health (DHE/HP) the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Support the implementation, monitor and evaluation of the Strategy and Plan of Action on Health Promotion within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals 2019-2030 and the Policy for recovering progress toward the sustainable development goals with equity through action on the social determinants of health and intersectoral work;
b) Lead the execution and monitoring of the Urban Governance for Health and Well-being initiative in the Americas, ensuring effective implementation, tracking progress and conducting thorough evaluations to drive program success;
c) Formulate, coordinate, and ensure the implementation of the work plan, chronogram, and budget of the Urban Governance for health and wellbeing project;
d) Provide technical support on local governance for health and wellbeing initiatives;
e) Assist with the technical cooperation to national governments to strengthen action at local level from a social determinant of heath and health promotion approach;
f) Identify and enhance partnerships and networks to strengthen multidisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration between local governments;
g) Support the implementation of projects and activities focused on local governments;
h) Develop and implement effective monitoring and evaluation systems to track program progress and impact;
i) Develop and implement data and indicators to evaluate the impact of health and health equity of the activities of the Unit beyond PAHO plan;
j) Promote the documentation and systematization of innovative experiences from the local and national levels on intersectoral action, social determinants of health and health promotion;
k) Perform other related functions that are assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: A bachelor’s degree in public health, health policy or other relevant field from a recognized university.
Desirable: A master’s degree in public health, health policy or other relevant field from a recognized university.In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO, considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in one of the following databases:
World Higher Education Database (WHED), list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/
Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp
College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/ college navigator to support the validation process.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org
Experience:
Essential: Essential: Seven years of combined national and international experience in public institutions and/or international cooperation agencies, working in coordination, planning and/or evaluation of public health projects, including experience in health promotion, social determinants of health, local governance and equity and knowledge of the situation in the Americas. Desirable: Experience working with United Nations agencies would be an asset.
Desirable: Experience working with United Nations agencies would be an asset.
SKILLS:
PAHO Competencies:

Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.

Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others/Deal effectively with conflict – Creates team spirit; promotes collaboration and open communication in the team; proactively supports others; welcomes team responsibilities and drives team results; promotes knowledge sharing in the team. Proactively identifies conflicts and facilitates their resolution in a respectful manner; tactfully resolves conflicts between or with others and takes action to reduce any possible tension; effectively builds a rapport with individuals and teams, establishing good personal and professional relationships, as well as minimizing risk of potential conflict.

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity – Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.

Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Listen/Write effectively/Share knowledge – Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.

Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results/Take responsibility – Prioritizes work, monitors own progress against objectives and adapts plans as required; communicates adjustments as necessary. Acts proactively and stimulates action as needed; handles problems effectively and constructively. Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

Moving forward in a changing environment: Propose change/Adapt to change – Actively supports Organizational change initiatives and demonstrates personal commitment to them, including when faced with new demands; proposes workable solutions to challenging situations. Engages in positive responses to a changing environment and promotes workable solutions to achieve own and team’s results. Welcomes, and actively seeks to apply, new ideas, approaches and working methods and technologies in order to improve own and/or team’s work processes and results; demonstrates commitment to Organizational change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:
• Theoretical knowledge and demonstrated technical experience in Health Promotion, Urban Health governance for health and wellbeing, and Health in all Policies and its application for the analysis and formulation of strategies, development of policies and tools to address inequities and inequalities in health.
• Knowledge and experience in strategies and initiatives that have an intersectoral approach where local governments are involved in strengthening public policies that impact the health of their populations.
• Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control.
• Strong professional oral and written skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations and technical documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
• Strong interpersonal skills and tact to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas and to communicate effectively with high-level officials, stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• Knowledge and experience in operating and working at International Organizations.

Languages:
Very good knowledge of Spanish or English with a working knowledge of the other language. Working language of Portuguese or French would be an asset.

IT Skills:
Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), PMIS and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

REMUNERATION
Monthly Salary: (Net of taxes)
$5,343.42 (Salary is non-negotiable)
Post Adjustment:
$3,751.08 This amount is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates to fill other similar short-term professional positions, at the same grade level.
• PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including a monthly net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits may include: 2.5 days annual leave per month, generous telework policy, parental leave, sick leave, pension plan, and health insurance scheme. Other benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, settling-in grant and rental subsidy.
• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this position as a form of screening.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
• For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org
• PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• PAHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.
• PAHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of misconduct.
• PAHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.
• PAHO/WHO is a smoke-free environment.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.