Advisor, Road Safety and Prevention of Unintentional Injuries

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 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, promotion of optimal nutrition and road safety, and prevention of violence, 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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

1. Provide technical, strategic and programmatic advice to Member States in the design, implementation and evaluation of inter-sectoral public policies and legislation for the promotion of road safety to reduce the risk of road traffic injuries and death, within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030;
2. Advise and develop action plans for the prevention of unintentional injuries, such as drownings, falls, burns, and acute care of victims of unintentional injuries and traffic injuries;
3. Mobilize and leverage internal and external technical and financial resources to organize a collaborating network, including network of legislators, for the promotion of road safety and prevention and control of traffic injuries, in countries of the Americas;
4. Support, promote, or strengthen national or international partnerships, and networks directed to improve and implement unintentional injury prevention and road safety policies, plans, and programs;
5. Support the development of country epidemiological surveillance on road crashes and other unintentional injuries;
6. Provide technical direction and cooperation in the Americas region, as it pertains to the UN Road Safety Initiative, UN Road Safety Trust Fund and Second Decade of Action on Road Safety;
7. Design, set up, and evaluate initiatives according to the WHO SAVE LIVES technical package for road safety, at regional, subregional and country levels, as well as the WHO implementation guide for drowning and other unintentional injuries;
8. Collect, analyze and disseminate data on unintentional injuries and road safety, including through regular global/regional status reports on road safety, drowning, falls and burns;
9. Support Member States in the development and implementation of studies directed at identifying and determining the causes, costs and risk factors of injuries due to drownings, burns, falls and road crashes, as well as the formulation of injury prevention and road safety policies, plans and programs at national and municipal levels;
10. Compile, analyze, evaluate, and disseminate information on road safety, including on the magnitude of the problem in the Americas, country case studies, and factors affecting successes and failures of road safety policies and programs;
11. Compile, analyze, evaluate, and disseminate information on drownings, burns, falls and other unintentional injuries, including on the magnitude of the problem in the Americas, country case studies, and factors affecting successes and failures of prevention policies and programs;
12. Prepare communications products on unintentional injuries and road safety and contribute to the updating and promotion of injury prevention and road safety information on the PAHO unintentional injury and road safety webpage, social media and other opportunities for advocacy and raising awareness;
13. Strengthen legislative, regulatory and policy development capacity in countries for road safety and prevention of unintentional injuries;
14. Support the development of legislation (new or amended), regulations or other similar measures relevant to the promotion of road safety and prevention of unintentional injuries in countries, as appropriate;
15. Mobilize technical and financial resources to support the PAHO unintentional injury and road safety project, including financial monitoring and management and preparing reports for donors/partner organizations, as required;
16. Participate in the department and unit planning and management activities, including preparation and reporting on the biennial work plan (BWP) and semester workplans (PTS), project budgets; prepare progress reports, and briefing notes and other related project planning and monitoring documents;
17. Contribute to organization-wide policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the mandates related to unintentional injuries prevention and road safety; report to Governing Bodies, through executive presentations and reports, on the status or results of the activities;
18. 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;
19. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health or social science, and a master’s degree in public health, epidemiology or in any other discipline related to functions of the position, from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A PhD in a health-related discipline 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 public health, with at least 5 years of work experience in road safety or injury prevention.

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 - 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.
• 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 of 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: Share knowledge - 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 - 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.
• Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration - Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical and practical expertise in public health, including managerial experience.
• Practical experience in providing technical cooperation for sustainable development, road safety and unintentional injury prevention.
• Expertise and skills in providing technical support for the development of health programs, plans and projects, including those involving more than one country.
• Analytical skills and ability to collect, analyze, interpret data and write scientific documents.
• Knowledge and skills in project planning, management and evaluation, including resource mobilization and grant management.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills; ability to prioritize and multitask when required.
• 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; ability to present in a clear and concise, diplomatic, tactful, and courteous manner.

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, SharePoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as software for desktop layout, or Tableau and Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

US$ 74,913.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment: 49.6% 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.

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.