By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Advisor, Medical Anthropology

Guatemala

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Guatemala
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Social Affairs
    • Medical Practitioners
    • PAHO/WHO Representation, Guatemala
  • Closing Date: Closed

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)
PAHO Country Offices are responsible for ensuring that the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) country program of technical cooperation and its country presence provides adequate support to the national health development process and, at the same time, enables countries to shape the sub regional, regional, and global health agendas. The PAHO/WHO Country Office is the basic organizational unit for technical cooperation with the country/ies, drawing on PAHO/WHO resources from all levels and all parts of the Organization.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the general guidance of the Chief, Equity, Gender and Cultural Diversity (EGC), and the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and in coordination with the Project Manager, the incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties\:
  1. Provide technical advice and develop strategies, plans, objectives and methodologies for program implementation and evaluation, consistent with country needs, in relation to the European Union Development Coordination (EU DEVCO) — funded Project; provide technical advice and guide the development and dissemination of best practices on cultural, national or ethnic, and linguistic diversity mainstreaming within the select municipalities;
  2. Provide technical advice and develop public health policies and guidelines for the promotion of anthropological analyses of the manner in which men and women in diverse cultural contexts (including, but not limited to, indigenous peoples) conceptualize and experience illness, health and wellbeing; analyze how these experiences and conceptualizations impact their access to health and interactions with health services, particularly in priority areas, including maternal health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and emerging infectious diseases;
  3. Develop and coordinate technical cooperation initiatives with different stakeholders, relevant technical entities, and national authorities for promoting and supporting the introduction of intercultural approaches and cultural diversity principles in their technical work and collaboration;
  4. Apply anthropological approaches and techniques, including ethnographic methods, to generate qualitative evidence to show how ethnic identity, including cultural constructions of gender roles, norms and stereotypes in specific cultural settings, influence the experience and distribution of health outcomes, and the promotion of well-being in the context of a national primary health care model;
  5. Lead the development of strategies and intercultural approaches commensurate with cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity; support the field assessment of the implementation of the project related to indigenous peoples' health or other ethnic populations;
  6. Develop a framework for integrating cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity in the Project´s program of work;
  7. Develop activities to improve access to culturally appropriate and quality health care services for indigenous peoples including traditional medicine, and to enhance social controls and participation of indigenous peoples in health affairs in a manner consistent with the project objectives and logic framework;
  8. Provide technical advice, support and capacity strengthening for anthropological analysis and approaches within an intersectoral framework, particularly taking into account linkages between ethnicity and gender;
  9. Develop and coordinate the implementation of strategies and related planning and accountability mechanisms for the promotion, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of intercultural health approaches in public health responses within the project including the development and implementation of related capacity strengthening initiatives, working in collaboration with other professional staff in the Country Office;
  10. Gather and analyze qualitative evidence on effective ethnic and gender sensitive intercultural approaches in primary health care networks, and work with other professional staff to develop and apply mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) evaluation frameworks and to identify concrete results;
  11. Prepare detailed terms of reference and specifications for key inputs, including personnel, contracts, training, procurement; prepare detailed specifications/conditions of engagement for each contract and ensure that the monitoring and evaluation responsibilities and administration of terms and awards are included; ensure all appropriate approvals received in accordance with established protocols;
  12. Support the assessment of, and reporting on, areas of responsibility related to the implementation of the project’s action areas related to cross-cutting themes;
  13. Serve as the liaison for the project in policy-related, academic, technical and other relevant external and internal fora and networking opportunities related to ethnicity, cultural diversity, gender, human rights and health including the dissemination of the project milestones;
  14. Contribute to the development, review and update of biennial programs and budgets (BWP), semiannual work plans (PTS) and periodic evaluations for assigned projects;
  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.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education\:
Essential\: A bachelor’s degree in anthropology, behavioral or social science, and a master’s degree in medical or social anthropology, public health or other relevant field from a recognized university.
Desirable\: PhD level studies in anthropology or a medical degree with a focus on public health or behavioral sciences, and/or a focus on any of the cross-cutting themes within the project 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.

Experience\:
Essential\: Nine years of combined national and international experience working in research, project coordination, planning and/or evaluation in areas related to the application of anthropology, ethnicity and health in diverse cultural contexts. Experience should include work on cultural constructions of gender.
Desirable\: Experience in the development and implementation of health projects or in technical cooperation in public policy, with indigenous populations, preferably in an international organization. Also, relevant work experience in the United Nations or other multilateral institution, non-governmental or humanitarian organizations 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.
  • 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.
Technical Expertise\:
  • Theoretical knowledge and demonstrated technical expertise in medical anthropology and its application to analyze trends, evaluate strategies, develop policy and tools to address ethnic and gender inequities and inequalities in health;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of medical anthropology as it relates to the policy and practice of public health, traditional medicine and healing, as well as intercultural health policies and practice;
  • Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills and tact to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas and to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
  • Proven expertise in applying ethnographic and other qualitative research techniques in multi-method approaches, including, for example, in conjunction with epidemiological statistics and demography, in order to identify, analyze, synthesize evidence and provide recommendations for integrating gender, equity, environmentally-sensitive and intercultural health approaches within public health and intersectoral policies and practice;
  • Experience in developing and implementing a variety of training modalities for capacity strengthening;
  • Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
Languages\:
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.
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.
REMUNERATION
Annual Salary\: (Net of taxes)
US $73,516 post adjustment

Post Adjustment\: 34.2% 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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/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.

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: