Advisor, Data Architecture

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health Department (EIH) is responsible for leading the Organization into the modern era of information for health and aims to strengthen evidence-based decision-making through the use of improved data management, analysis, forecasting and scenario setting, using cutting edge information technology. EIH is responsible for developing models, norms and standards for strengthening governance mechanisms for information systems for health, in line with the Organization's policies and strategies for integrated and interoperable systems. The Department also coordinates the monitoring and measurement of the impact indicators of the Organization’s Strategic Plan and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and measurement of inequity and inequality in health. The Department gathers and provides strategic information and intelligence to develop and support the implementation of evidence-based policies and sound decisions on public health matters in collaboration with all Pan American Sanitary Bureau (PASB) entities, Member States and partners. EIH coordinates internal PASB data-driven and evidence-based efforts and will collaborate with WHO and other UN and Inter-American system agencies to support the needs of Member States and the Secretariat in the areas under its responsibility.

Under the general guidance of the Director, Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health (EIH), the direct supervision of the Senior Advisor, Information Systems for Health (EIH), and in close collaboration with the Information Technology Services Department (ITS), the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties\:

1. Provide technical, operational and programmatic advice and guidance on data architecture, including the design, construction, implementation and maintenance of highly scalable data management systems for the Organization’s public health programs;
2. Provide guidance on and oversee the migration of data and information from legacy systems to new solutions;
3. Provide technical advice and guidance on the implementation of the Organization’s Data Governance Framework and Data Management Policy;
4. Provide PAHO’s technical programs with technical advice and guidance on the adoption and integration of internationally accepted data architecture principles, standards, guidelines and concepts, particularly interoperability, in alignment with corporate policies and processes;
5. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical guidance documents, and recommendations for database development and data management that will guide database management practices for the Organization’s public health programs;
6. Provide advice on the corporate adoption of best practices for the design of physical databases for major Database Management Systems platforms;
7. Provide data management support to efficiently guide and document the flow of data through the sequential phases of collection, storage, cleaning, reduction and standardization, using valid statistical principles, archiving, retrieval, and analysis;
8. Define a standard process for integrated database models, which enables access, movement and blending of multiple-source data for downstream analytics and enhances the usability, integrity, and security of the systems;
9. Liaise with collaborators such as data managers, statisticians and data analysis experts within the Organization, Ministries of Health or statistical offices and other national agencies to optimize processes for collecting;
10. Collaborate in the development of alliances and networks for strengthening Data Management practices across the Organization;
11. Develop and ensure that a governance process is in place to support effective modeling tool usage;
12. Develop a formal portfolio of data architecture services for the entity’s platforms;
13. Provide advice and guidance to ensure Data Architecture work is part of the overall process of developing concepts, defining formal corporate projects, planning and initiation of projects within the Organization;
14. Provide technical support in the implementation of the PLISA (Health Information Platform for the Americas) platform;
15. Promote and document the exchange of relevant experiences among organizational entities;
16. Participate in the preparation of the entity’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget and technical evaluation reports;
17. 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;
18. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Essential\: A bachelor’s degree in one a social or information management science, computer science, mathematics, Information Systems or Data Management, and a master's degree in statistics, data management, public health or in any of the areas related to the functions of the post, from a recognized institution.

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 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 progressively responsible experience in database structure systems and data mining, data and information management, including information technologies, management and operation of networks systems and portals.

Desirable\: Demonstrated experience with health and/or social sciences related data sources would be an asset.

• 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.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences\: Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes 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.
• Teamwork\: Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
• Communication\: 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.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment\: Manages individual and group projects and ensures that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clearly defined, understood and accepted; delegates work appropriately to achieve best results.
• Producing Results\: Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
• Moving forward in a changing environment\: 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.
• Setting an example\: Works ethically to achieve individual work objectives under 'PAHO Regulations and Rules and the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service. Maintains confidentiality and treats sensitive information with discretion; ensures that policies and procedures are followed in accordance with the Organization's professional, ethical and legal standards. When others behave in an unprofessional or unethical way, promotes appropriate standards and provides feedback in order to remedy the situation; escalates as necessary. Stands by own decisions and actions and accepts responsibility for them. Acts in an open and transparent manner when dealing with others; stands by own and/ team’s decisions or actions and accepts responsibility for them. Acts to promote the Organization’s success.

• Theoretical and practical expertise in all aspects related to data management, including database architecture.
• Ability to design and implement effective database solutions, data architecture services and models to store and retrieve technical data.
• Ability to examine and identify database structural necessities by collaborating with technical programs.
• Practical experience to develop, implement and assess database implementation procedures to ensure they comply with policies and regulations.
• Ability to prepare accurate database design and architecture reports for management and executive teams.
• Ability to oversee the migration of data from legacy systems to new solutions.
• Practical expertise in line-of-business (LOB) data strategy, data risk management, and data life cycle management.
• Strong inter-personal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level health officials in public and private sector and civil society, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment and to re-prioritize actions on short notice.
• 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 cloud-based solutions, business intelligence tools, Information Security standards, Python, SQL, MySQL systems as well the ability to operate desktop, web related applications, knowledge management and virtual collaboration tools and methodologies. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as DHIS 2 platform would be an asset.

Post Adjustment\: 47.6% 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.