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Technical Advisor

Washington D.C.

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Washington D.C.
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Office of the Assistant Director
  • 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)

The Office of the Assistant Director (AD) supports the PAHO Director with fulfillment of the Organization’s mission, as well as the achievement of the PAHO Strategic Plan. The Office also provides leadership and good governance for public health in the Americas and in the other regions of World Health Organization (WHO). The Office of the Assistant Director is comprised by five Departments, one Special Program and one Office: Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health (CDE), Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH), Health Systems and Services (HSS), Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL) and the Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health (EIH).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director (AD), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

  1. Provide technical and policy advice to the Assistant Director to support the program of work for the technical cooperation; collaborate with senior staff on the development of relevant communication plans, speeches, presentations, and talking points; write, research and support the Assistant Director with the development of content for official speaking engagements;
  2. Provide strategic, informed and timely guidance to the AD and other team members and collaborating entities as/when appropriate, on important emerging issues, opportunities and innovative approaches for promoting and advancing the Organization’s technical cooperation in a timely and effective manner, via all relevant platforms;
  3. Contribute to briefings with internal and external partners; promote coordination and collaboration between the Organization and other international and national scientific or professional groups involved in relevant technical topics;
  4. Prepare regular and ad-hoc progress and scientific/evidence-based reports, talking points, technical documents and presentations; prepare materials for webinars, press briefing and interviews to support the effective participation of the Assistant Director (AD) in different commitments, as delegated by the Office of the Director;
  5. Prepare policy reviews, technical documents, and recommendations to the Assistant Director; build strategic networks and advocacy internally and externally, especially for key policy opportunities and events related to the AD’s areas of responsibility;
  6. Organize, establish and follow up the working groups and task forces under the AD’s chairmanship including elaboration of terms of reference, minutes and key action points;
  7. Provide technical support for the Assistant Director’s participation at the UNSDG LAC and DPM Network including gathering information from different entities and preparing a consolidated report to the AD;
  8. Provide technical and policy advice to support the AD on the oversight function of the AD’s Entities; ensure that the program of work is aligned with the Organization’s strategic plans;
  9. Prepare tables and consolidate information from different subject matters (technical subjects, briefing books etc.) related to the entities under AD’s Office;
  10. Review and edit technical documents for Governing Bodies meetings; provide guidance to technical areas in relationship with the preparation and follow-up of Governing Bodies meetings, resolutions and activities; collaborate in the preparation and follow-up of high level ministerial summits, and meetings related to health and development in the Region;
  11. Promote teamwork across the organization and establish an environment which encourages participation, stimulates each staff member's creativity and interest and fosters a multidisciplinary approach; participate in identifying staff development needs and collaborate in planning and executing programs to address managerial development needs;
  12. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A university degree in one of the health, social or management sciences with a master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, public policy or a field related to the functions of the post from a recognized university.

Desirable: Proven training in developing compelling content across a range of formats for expert and general audiences 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 international development programs involving multiple stakeholders; experience should include development of programmatic analysis, planning and evaluation of health programs.

Desirable: Additional experience in preparing high-level presentations and writing speeches on behalf of a leader 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: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - 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: 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.
  • Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Listen/Write effectively/Share knowledge - 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: Provide direction - 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: 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:

  • Strong knowledge of public health and epidemiology; strong strategic thinking background showing resourcefulness, initiative, leadership qualities, skills to deals with difficult situations and sensitive areas.
  • Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, conceptual, interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrate ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key political, technical and administrative issues.
  • Ability to integrate political, technical and managerial inputs into recommendations for decision-making.
  • Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment to re-prioritize actions on short notice. Theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles and practices of public health advocacy, news media, social media, knowledge management, and organization and dissemination, collaboration and refinement of information.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and tact to effectively communicate with senior level health officials in public and private sector and the civil society, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentation, and technical/persuasive 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 $ 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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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