Advisor, External Relations

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 mission of the External Relations, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization (ERP) Department is to lead the official relationships between the Pan American Sanitary Bureau (PASB) and the global community; mobilize political leadership and support, especially in high-level political fora; lead, guide and facilitate resource mobilization at the regional, global and at times, national level, and build partnerships and collaborative arrangements to support PAHO and the Region’s health strategies and goals.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general guidance of the Deputy Director (DD) and the direct supervision of the Director, External Relations, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization (ERP), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide strategic external relations advice and guidance for the development of partnerships and work to establish and implement the Organization’s political engagement strategy with the relevant stakeholders and policy makers, ensuring strategic communication and interactions;
2. Analyze and provide advice to the ERP Director on relevant topics related to OAS portfolio, the United Nations (UN) processes and related policies and managerial issues, including the Sustainable Development Goals; review current information, follow up on the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) processes and collaboration with relevant units in PAHO, WHO, and PWRs; analyze outcomes and next steps for action of UNDG LAC meetings; prepare summary briefings; coordinate action and follow up with respective technical entities; analyze and coordinate the preparation of proposal for interagency work on health issues;
3. Advise on relations with the United States of America comprising the executive and legislative branches, working closely with the DD as the PAHO Representative to the USG;
4. Advise and guide governments and the Organization to develop strategies to identify and engage with donors; participate and at times, lead in negotiations and consultations with international, regional and development agencies and, when necessary, at the country level;
5. Participate in and advise on global policy processes relevant to PAHO-related issues;
6. Conduct analyses and identify potential areas for alliances and partnerships development at the country, subregional and regional levels; ensure that these are brought to the attention of the proper authorities within development agencies;
7. Build and facilitate external collaboration with the work of the Organization according to the priorities set forth in the Strategic Plan and Biennial Work Plan;
8. Prepare key messages, speeches, talking points and thematic briefings for presentation to a variety of targeted audiences;
9. Analyze inputs from different areas of the Organization and country offices for the participation of PAHO in high level meetings, as appropriate, and prepare relevant analytical documents;
10. Support effective internal and external communications and enhanced visibility regarding PAHO’s work in external relations in coordination with other technical entities;
11. Collaborate to strengthen relations with the UN regional staff to plan, analyze and assist in coordinating interagency activities within the UN system; analyze information and proposals, prepare reports and advise the Manager on UN Reform and the participation of PAHO in the process;
12. Support the priorities and strategies for External Relations for the Organization, to strengthen the External Relations functions as a continuum with resource mobilization and partnerships;
13. Strengthen relations and improve coordination with WHO of benefit and priority to PAHO to enhance harmonization and alignment;
14. Participate in the orientation or other preparatory missions of the partner organizations;
15. Collaborate with PBE and CSC and technical units to ensure that all the necessary technical, financial, economic and managerial aspects of a new partnership are carefully considered and taken into account;
16. Liaise with CSC to promote and support Cooperation among Countries for Health Development (CCHD) projects and South-South Cooperation;
17. Advise and provide training to PAHO staff members in the skills needed for international negotiation resource mobilization, establishment of alliances and partnerships, as well as preparation of sound project monitoring, and fundraising; contribute to the development and institutionalization of Health Diplomacy as a competency of PAHO staff;
18. Identify opportunities to advance health priorities in global and regional efforts, including important political agendas, and regional and global fora;
19. Analyze and prepare reports on the policies and strategies of the United Nations, Inter-American System, and bilateral agencies; advising on the best approaches to develop strategic alliances and partnerships of relevance to PAHO;
20. Foster the involvement of non-traditional partners in project funding and implementation, such as NGO foundations and private sector institutions;
21. Participate in the process of identification of potential areas for project development at the country, subregional and regional levels, and in bringing these to the attention of the proper authorities within funding agencies and the Organization;
22. Advise governments, the Organization and potential funding agencies in formulating health projects; ensuring that their design is sound from the technical, managerial, economic and administrative point of view, and that they conform to the policies and priorities of the countries, PAHO, and the funding agency.
23. Collaborate in the Project Review Process to ensure that all the necessary technical, financial, economic and managerial aspects of proposed projects are carefully considered and taken into account;
24. Engage actively with relevant partners, e.g., OAS and/or UN Missions to develop, maintain, and strengthen PAHO’s influence and impact in dialogue, with a goal to center health as part of sound public policy, foreign policy and economic development.
25. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in business administration, international relations, law, political science or any other field related to the functions of the position, and a master’s degree in economics, public policy, international relations or a related field from a recognized university.

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) required for this position. 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/.

Experience:

Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in the area of international relations, policy advocacy, development and/or public health policies or planning, with experience in UN system and/or OAS mechanisms, rules and regulations.

Desirable: Experience in the Capitol Hill process, i.e. Budget and Appropriations cycles, rules for Amendments, hearing preparation and follow up 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.
• 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.
• 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: 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.
• Producing Results: 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.
• Ensuring effective use of resources: 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.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: 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.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of international technical cooperation, with emphasis on the preparation and management of international cooperation programs and projects.
• Theoretical and practical expertise and ability to analyze political and institutional issues and challenges in health and development, at national, regional and global level.
• Diplomatic expertise in handling discussions and negotiations with governments in a multilateral setting.
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, conceptual, interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment and to re-prioritize actions on short notice.
• Ability to integrate managerial and administrative inputs into recommendations for decision-making.
• Ability to create and advocate innovative approaches to facilitate and enhance technical cooperation, as well as monitoring of these processes.
• Practical knowledge of results-based management concepts and tools and their applications, especially related to situation analysis, outcome and output formulation, and indicator development.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills combined with outstanding and professional oral and writing skills including the development of papers, briefing materials, reports, oral presentations, and summary documents.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Suite.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

USD $77,326.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment: 63.5% 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.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

PAHO/WHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.

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.

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.