Senior Advisor, Smart Hospitals Project

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

The objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response policy.

Under the general supervision of the Director, PHE and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (PHE/CPI), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties\:

1. Lead and manage the implementation of the Smart Hospitals Project in the Caribbean; manage the development, implementation and oversight of relevant strategies, programs of work, and annual work plans related to the Project; collaborate with other Departments for planning, implementing, and resourcing work plans, consistent with project deliverables and country needs;
2. Oversee, administer, allocate, and monitor the Project’s financial, logistical and staff resources; ensure the timely monitoring, reporting and evaluation of project results and accomplishments for the benefit of the Member States and the Organization;
3. Manage and direct the team working on the Smart Hospital Project, including, setting priorities, design, development, planning, and managing the work programs, and monitoring the use of resources, guiding, supervising and evaluating staff and advocating for the highest degree of professional excellence and efficiency;
4. Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring of supervised staff by setting clear work objectives, ensuring timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, engaging in regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment, to include staff development in the Organization’s fundamentals, managerial competencies and technical expertise; participate in the process of selecting and placing professional staff for the Project;
5. Lead the development and implementation of project management practices, tools, and procedures that will result in an efficient and effective implementation of the project and associated benefits for participating Member States;
6. Identify, promote, establish, maintain, and coordinate liaison across the Organization, with other United Nations organizations and with other partners, in order to maximize project integration, efficiency and effectiveness; build and maintain strategic partnerships and alliances with external stakeholders to advance the interests and objectives of the Project;
7. Provide leadership and technical expertise in the identification of internal constraints which undermine the integrity of, and capacity of being compliant with the Project’s requirements, and provide recommendations on appropriate corrective measures;
8. Provide clear and consistent updates, analyses and reports on risks and threats with actionable recommendations. Ensure that potential for fraud (and other) risks are identified and appropriate action is taken towards risk mitigation;
9. Review and address, as appropriate, audit recommendations linked to the Project; ensure the implementation of PAHO's internal control framework is supported in the Project;
10. Build consensus among Member States to address project issues common to all countries and advocate and provide support to ensure integration and sustainability of the projects’ result within the wider health system;
11. Provide authoritative advice for and intervene, as necessary, in negotiations for difficult and highly complex contracts, ensuring that quality, costs, and legal requirements in the interest of the Organization are safeguarded;
12. Represent the Organization in high level events, meetings, negotiations, policy discussions with partners and related to the Project, as delegated;
13. Support the Organization’s emergency and disaster response operations, and serve as a member of the Regional Disaster Response Team, when required;
14. Collaborate in the development, implementation and monitoring of the Department’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP);
15. Promote a culture of ethical behavior and integrity in accordance with the Organization’s Code of Ethical Principles and Conduct in order to ensure a culture of respect, responsibility, accountability, and compliance;
16. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Essential\: A university degree in a health or social science and a master’s degree in project management, public health, engineering, environmental science, or in a related field from a recognized institution. Specialized training in emergency preparedness and/or disaster risk reduction.

Desirable\: Training or studies in leadership or management 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 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\: Thirteen years of combined national and international experience in planning, developing and implementing health security, disaster risk reduction, emergency/disaster preparedness and response, and/or public health programs, including at least five years of management experience in recognized senior leadership positions with direct responsibility for managing both human and financial resources.

Desirable\: Experience in WHO and/or the UN System with knowledge of inter-agency mechanisms in the area of national and international preparedness for health emergencies. Field experience in public health programs or disaster preparedness and risk reduction programs in developing countries, including coordination of large-scale public health projects, would be an asset.

• Intrainstitutional Action\: Displays, through leadership and decisions, understanding of the political systems and underlying drivers. Plans and evaluates both unit and individual results to achieve the PAHO's mission. Requires that projects be grounded in scientific evidence and that they be consistent with PAHO's vision, mission and values, and appropriate for the setting in which they will be carried out. Demonstrates a full commitment to the mission and values of the Organization by aligning the area of work with the strategic direction of the Organization. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.
• Analysis, Synthesis and Forecasting\: Leads one’s area toward a culture of decision-making that is based upon objective analysis of situational evidence and application of previously acquired knowledge. Provides oversight in the verification process that targets how area of work takes action in situations that will require future intervention, based on ongoing analysis. Presents solutions evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Is capable of anticipating the implications of an analyzed situation for two years or more.
• Performance Management\: Evaluates the performance of subordinates in terms of the organizational strategy, provides feedback offering measurable suggestions and promotes their professional development. Develops and implements realistic and achievable work plans--including tasks, priorities, resources and schedules. Adjusts goals and courses of action to meet changing needs. In a systematic way develops people through demanding and challenging projects utilizing each employee's competencies. Effectively uses the Organization's official performance evaluation processes and systems. Uses a regular evaluation system. Provides constant and positive feedback to focus development efforts.
• Teamwork\: Develops a high performing team in one’s operational area and also encourages teamwork across the Organization. Establishes and models the standard for teams and teamwork. Provides significant contributions when participating in internal and external work teams. Initiates and leads mutually beneficial productive interpersonal relationships based on trust, both inside and outside the Organization.
• Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions\: Evaluates the ideas for interventions in terms of their potential for change and transformation before deciding to execute them. Follows the Organization’s strategy in executing technical cooperation interventions in order to generate expected results.
• Communication\: Leads the development of an environment that actively establishes and proactively engages in productive dialogues that involve multicultural environments. Encourages the skills and behaviors that facilitate productive dialogues. Expresses points of view effectively.
• Resource Mobilization\: Establishment of an internal Culture that supports the Organization's strategic direction program of work and the organizational results to enable effective resource mobilization. Supports and makes all efforts to increase the level of resources that are considered necessary for operations. Is capable of negotiating with different types of organizations. Uses the financial and non-financial resources with objectivity. Is able to achieve the goals and results with the resources they have.

• Technical\: Theoretical knowledge and technical expertise at the highest level in the areas of emergency preparedness, and disaster risk reduction; practical knowledge of project management and results-based management concepts and tools and their applications; theoretical and practical knowledge in managing projects in the international emergency or development arena, including formulation of strategies, plans of actions, budget, reporting and audit methodologies; proven strong project and operations management and coordination skills.
• Managerial\: Extensive expertise in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of large public or private sector organizations or programs, management of administrative and technical matters requiring sensitive negotiation and high-level intervention and in organizational development. Demonstrated ability to provide professional leadership to strategic, organizational, managerial and analytic work in health; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas.
• Administrative\: Skills or experience with creation and integration of administrative procedures for the delivery of the highest quality results for the Team. Courtesy, tact, sensitivity to manage confidential information, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural background.

Very good knowledge of English. A working knowledge of Spanish, French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project 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.