Fixed term staff template

The Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) Department promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities, directed at the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and related risk factors, mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders and disabilities, and promotion of optimal nutrition and road safety, that are evidence-based and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented.  It raises political and public awareness and understanding of the burden of the most common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental disorders, related risk factors and conditions and leads multi-sector and multi-stakeholder strategic and collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening Member States' capacity to promote and protect health through public policies, programs, and services. This will reduce risks and disease burden and contribute to improving the physical, mental, and social well-being of the population.

Under the general supervision of the Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Noncommunicable Diseases and Disabilities (NMH/ND), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties\:

1. Provide technical cooperation to Member States in the implementation of the Regional Plan of Action on Noncommunicable Diseases at regional, sub-regional and national levels, with a focus on diabetes prevention and control; 
2. Advise and lead public health interventions to improve diabetes prevention, diagnosis, management, including self-management, with emphasis on primary and secondary care at local, national, subregional and regional levels;
3. Collaborate with WHO, Member States and external partner organizations to develop and promote the implementation of evidence based guidelines, norms and protocols for diabetes prevention and control, including for type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and related metabolic disorders;
4. Develop and lead initiatives that will increase capacities and skills of primary level care providers on evidence based interventions for NCD management, including diabetes prevention and control;
5. Analyze, promote and improve the situation of access to essential medicines and technologies for diabetes control in the region, in collaboration with PAHO’s medicines and technology program;
6. Collect, analyze, synthesize and disseminate  scientific and technical information related to diabetes prevalence, management and related health conditions, and facilitate the use of the information in planning and evaluation of national NCD programs;
7. Collaborate and cooperate with staff in the NCD team, and relevant PAHO departments to promote and ensure coordination and synergies for NCDs, with a focus on diabetes prevention and control, and to ensure greater effectiveness and utilization of organizational resources;
8. Provide technical input, contribute to, and ensure regional considerations provided to WHO’s initiatives on diabetes prevention and control;
9. Promote and raise the visibility of the work of the Organization, on diabetes prevention and control;
10. Mobilize international and national political, technical and financial resources and extra-budgetary funds in support of national and regional programs on diabetes and other NCDs; obtain extra budgetary resources to extend the scope of technical cooperation for diabetes and other NCDs, by preparing project proposals for the appropriate national, bilateral and international financial agencies and collaborate in the implementation, monitoring and reporting of those projects;
11. Collaborate in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Organization’s Strategic Plan, emphasizing activities under the program area for NCDs, with a focus on diabetes;
12. Represent the Organization at national, regional and international technical meetings and in inter-agency collaborations on diabetes and other NCDs;
13. Contribute to organization-wide policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the mandates related to NCDs; report to Governing Bodies, through executive presentations and reports, on the status or results of the activities;
14. Participate in the preparation of the Unit’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget and technical evaluation reports;
15. 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;
16. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Essential\:  A medical degree from a recognized university and a master’s degree in public health or a related field with emphasis on the epidemiology or control of noncommunicable diseases. 

Desirable\:  A Ph.D. in public health or related field from a recognized university would be an asset.

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.  WHO, only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a 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/.  PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http\://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https\://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Essential\: Nine years of combined national and international experience working in noncommunicable disease prevention and control, of which at least 5 years of work experience should be in diabetes.

Desirable\: Practical clinical and public health experience in diabetes prevention and control, and experience in diverse economic settings would be an asset.

• 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.
• 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\: Embraces and leads consensual decision-making,  that is, leading  the fulfillment of team decisions, even when they may not fully coincide with one’s own opinions or proposals. Knows how to manage difficult team situations and promotes consensus building. Takes responsibility for the team’s successes and failures.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. 
• Interinstitutional and Intersectoral Action\:  Demonstrates, through measurable results, effective participation in decision-making spheres where policy priorities are set.  Oversees activities/interventions designed to meet the needs of users and interinstitutional and intersectoral partners, while promoting the consolidation of productive partnerships in terms of the Organization’s mission.
• 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.

• Theoretical knowledge and technical expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to diabetes prevention and management.
• Practical expertise in effective public health interventions for the prevention and control of diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases.
• Demonstrated project management skills in planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. Ability to develop collaborative working relationships, mobilize resources and coordinate activities among various internal and external partners.
• Excellent analytical skills and demonstrated ability to collect, analyze and synthesize information on noncommunicable diseases including diabetes, and to prepare scientific, educational and advocacy materials to disseminate the information.
• Ability to transfer knowledge to national counterparts and to promote the adoption and/or application of appropriate public health interventions that would be responsive to the different social, cultural, and  economic realities in the countries;
• Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation program and activities, including budget programming and control;   
• Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• 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.

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.

Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize data analysis programs such as EpiInfo, Stata and SAS, and office software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. 

Post Adjustment\: 44.3% 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.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual 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 include\:  30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme.  Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.

Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile 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 organization purposes.