Chief, Equity, Gender and Cultural Diversity

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 for Equity, Gender and Cultural Diversity (EGC) of the Pan American Health Organization, collaborating closely with PAHO Technical Units and Country Offices, promotes, coordinates, and provides technical cooperation on health equity and addressing gender and ethnic inequalities in health. In particular, the EGC Office supports the mainstreaming of equity, gender, and cultural diversity and related actions, in the development, implementation, and monitoring of health policies, plans, and programs across the Organization and with Member States. EGC’s work is part of the Organization’s core efforts to promote Universal Health and cross-cutting themes within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, PAHO’s Strategic Plan, the Sustainable Health Agenda for the Americas, PAHO’s Gender Equality Policy, and the Ethnicity and Health Policy, Strategy and Plan of Action, and other related PAHO Resolutions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director (D), and the direct supervision of the Deputy Director (DD), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical, policy and strategic advice and programmatic direction for the development of organizational and technical cooperation strategies to reduce inequities in health, with a particular focus on underlying gender and ethnic inequalities and on intersectional approaches;
2. Lead the work of the EGC Office in strategic planning, implementing, monitoring and resourcing work plans, consistent with country needs and the Organization’s overall Strategic Plan;
3. Advise, lead and direct activities of the EGC Office; champion and coordinate support for the activities of other PAHO entities, for the implementation of the Organization’s related mandates and policies, including but not limited to the Gender Equality Policy and the Ethnicity and Health Policy, Strategy and Plan of Action;
4. Plan and guide the development and monitoring of new and existing Organizational mandates and policies related to equity, and gender and ethnic equality in health, in coordination with other offices, departments and programs within the Organization, and external partners;
5. Raise the profile of the essential component of equity, gender and cultural diversity within technical and policy dialogues with governments, non-governmental organizations, research/academic institutions, the private sector, civil society and others, including donors;
6. Advise and guide the process of planning and accountability of mainstreaming equity, gender and cultural diversity in the policies, programs and planning and monitoring systems of the Organization;
7. Develop and strengthen partnerships with United Nations (UN) and other multilateral agencies, collaborating centers, donors and civil society organizations for advancing equity, and gender and ethnic equality, in health;
8. Coordinate efforts, initiatives and resources intra- and inter- Office/Department in order to ensure quality, timely and effective technical cooperation at the regional level to develop, strengthen and sustain public policies, strategies, interventions and programs that advance equity, and gender and ethnic equality, in health;
9. Provide technical advice and guidance for the dissemination and exchange of knowledge, lessons learnt, and innovative practices aimed at promoting and advancing equity, and gender and ethnic equality in health within the Organization, including at the country level; as well as for the development of other related knowledge management and communication products;
10. Conduct advocacy and lead the development and implementation of outreach and partnership strategies to consolidate and strengthen PAHO’s leadership position with respect to equity, gender and ethnic equality in health;
11. Coordinate the Organization-wide work on the Cross Cutting Themes (equity, gender, ethnicity and human rights), including leading and / or supporting any related cross organizational initiatives, processes, mechanisms and/or working groups, to ensure that related work within the framework of PAHO’s Strategic Plan is conducted in a coherent and aligned manner and integrated in the Organization’s planning, monitoring tools and agreements as well as within all aspects of technical cooperation; represent PAHO in related WHO, UN and OAS initiatives at global and regional levels, providing and coordinating inputs into related processes and products;
12. Identify, promote, establish, maintain, and coordinate liaison across the Organization, within WHO, with other United Nations organizations or with other partners, in order to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness;
13. Coordinate the preparation of project profiles and proposals to mobilize resources within the programmatic approach of the Office, and stimulate the mobilization of national and international resources to support country and subregional efforts in these areas;
14. Coordinate the collection, analysis and dissemination of technical and scientific knowledge related to equity, gender equality and cultural diversity with respect to health throughout the Organization and at subregional and country levels;
15. Utilize information (including epidemiological, surveillance and qualitative data) to assess the impact of interventions and to set policy and programmatic priorities for the Organization;
16. Provide authoritative technical, managerial and policy advice to staff assigned to the Office; review reports submitted by staff and provide constructive feedback;
17. Develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the Office; ensure an Organization-wide approach and strategies and objectives that are aligned with the Organization’s mission, vision, values, policies, strategies, business needs and priorities, in order to ensure continuing operations and maximize results. Ensure that the results are aligned with the Office’s biennial and multi-year plans, including monitoring of activities, adjustments to any deviations, such as redefined objectives or strategies;
18. Formulate and recommend policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the Organization’s mandates related to the work of the Office; develop and establish guidelines, norms, practices and procedures to improve the Office’s effectiveness and efficiency; report to Governing Bodies, through executives presentations and reports, on the status or results of the Office’s activities;
19. Administer, allocate and monitor the Office’s financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the Office’s program and budget proposals; plan and organize the formulation, development, implementation and control of systems to monitor performance in accordance with the results based management approach;
20. 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;
21. 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;
22. Collaborate in the Organization's response to emergency situations; provide technical expertise in order to facilitate timely response as required;
23. 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 a health or social science relevant to equity, gender equality and/or cultural diversity from a recognized university.

Desirable: A Doctoral degree and/or Management training would be an asset.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide copies of your degrees. WHO, only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED. The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. PAHO will also use http://www.chea.org and https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience:

Essential: Thirteen years of combined national and international experience in program management, planning and evaluation in areas related to health and development. At least five years of experience working with equity, gender equality and/or cultural diversity issues. Experience in the development, implementation of and fundraising for health and/or development projects, preferably in an international organization.

SKILLS:

PAHO Competencies:

Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity, transparency, 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: Advocates for collaboration across the Organization - Creates and encourages a climate of team- working and collaboration across the Organization; sees cooperation as a key Organizational priority and creates collaborative systems and processes to achieve Organizational goals. Actively identifies and tackles disagreements between internal and external counterparts that compromise the Organization’s goals and mandate; diplomatically facilitates the resolution of conflicts between others and ensures strategic partnerships with a range of key stakeholders; maintains and extends an effective collaborative network of individuals inside and outside the Organization.

Communication: Share knowledge - Shares decisions and directives of senior management and communicates them in a manner that ensures both understanding and acceptance; shares knowledge and best practice at the three Organizational levels (country, regional and global), as necessary.

Creating an empowering and motivating environment: Provide direction/Support, motivate and empower others - Oversees and provides teams and departments with clear managerial directions which are translated from Organizational strategy. Builds a performance culture in the Organization; contributes to setting Organizational performance goals and standards; monitors Organizational performance against milestones and strategic goals; identifies and nurtures talent as appropriate. Promotes autonomy and empowerment throughout the Organization; inspires enthusiasm and a positive attitude in people towards their work and contribution to the Organization’s success.

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.

Driving the Organization to a successful future: Constructive leadership style/ Set the vision and build commitment - Leads and develops a road map for successfully achieving real progress in the Organization’s mandate, including consultation with key stakeholders; demonstrates respectful, trustworthy, transparent and accountable behavior in order to develop a reliable and coherent identity for the Organization. Creates a coherent Organizational vision of shared and successful goals; fosters a culture of vision and long- term goals, recognizing and rewarding efforts to maximize the Organization’s value.

Technical Expertise:

Technical: Extensive progressive expertise at a senior level in managing complex programs that address equity and equality in health at both national and international levels. Wide and varied knowledge of the application of equity, gender and cultural diversity approaches to public health problems and health management processes. Ability to provide authoritative technical advice and contributions.

Managerial: Extensive expertise in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of a large public or private administration of administrative and technical matters requiring sensitive negotiation and high-level interventions. Demonstrated ability to provide professional leadership to strategic, organizational, managerial and analytic work; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive issues; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural background.

Administrative: Skills in resource mobilization (including fundraising and partner collaboration) and financial management for the delivery of expected results.

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 software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook, Teams and Zoom. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Project, and qualitative data analysis software would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

US$89,837.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment: 49.6% of the above figure(s). Variations may occur each due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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 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. 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.