Advisor, Maternal Health

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 Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS) is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and implementing the Organization’s technical cooperation in health systems and services development to achieve Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage (Universal Health), based on the Primary Health Care approach. HSS promotes evidence-based policies, strategies and plans to transform national health systems to improve equity and resilience, as health systems move towards the achievement of Universal Health, strengthening governance and stewardship, increasing and improving health financing and social protection, and supporting the development of integrated networks of health services based on a highly resolutive first level of care. HSS strengthens national capacity in the organization of people-centered health services, integrating the healthy life course approach, ensuring quality of care and patient safety, and the effective deployment and management of human resources.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Health Systems and Services (HSS), and the direct supervision and technical guidance of the Unit Chief, Women’s, Maternal, Neonatal and Reproductive Health (WR), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a)Advise national authorities in the development of strategic actions, policies and plans to monitor and evaluate, and improve women’s and maternal health considering the multiethnic diversity and inequities in the Region;

b)Promote active collection and analysis of maternal health data, including but not limited to maternal deaths and near misses, supporting the disaggregation of data that will support targeted strategies to improve maternal health in specific territories and populations, and the analysis of the impact of social determinants on maternal health;

c)Support the preparation, implementation and evaluation of regional activities in areas of advocacy, promotion and protection of maternal health; promote the generation and exchange of best practices in maternal health;

d)Provide technical cooperation in developing national policies, legislation, programs and services for women focusing on maternal health, integrated with perinatal and reproductive health strategies;

e)Promote the development and implementation of national strategies to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality based on Primary Health Care including the adaptation of the strategy in local territories and populations with higher maternal deaths;

f)Facilitate and support collaborative action within HSS, and across technical areas within the Organization, to leverage the necessary technical competencies required in health systems and services organization, quality of care and patient safety, health workforce capacity, disease control and management, risk factors, evidence and information, as well as in the social determinants of health, to ensure a coordinated and integrated response organization-wide to improve maternal health;

g)Support capacity building in maternal health at the primary care level, promoting capacity development in midwifery that is culturally appropriate; support the training of obstetricians and other critical specialized health workers in the management of obstetric emergencies, including through practical and simulation exercises;

h)Promote the availability of health technologies that are specific to ensure quality maternal health care, including in the management or obstetric emergencies; leverage innovation in health care delivery, including digital health, to improve access and continuity of care;

i)Coordinate the maternal health CLAP Network using data from the Perinatal Information System (SIP plus), participate in cooperation activities for the use of the different modules of the SIP plus in order to strengthen its implementation and use to improve the quality of care in the countries of the Region;

j)Contribute to the training of human resources in national training workshops on the use of the Perinatal Information System and contribute to the analysis of data generated from the mentioned sources at the country and regional level;

k)Promote the mobilization of national resources and international support for programs and projects in Maternal Health; maintain an up-to-date inventory of international resources that can be made available to the Organization and countries for the promotion and support of research, training and service activities in the field of human reproduction and sexual and reproductive health with a life cycle approach;

l)Participate in the identification of WHO/PAHO Collaborating Centers, support them in defining their work plans and reviewing its fulfillment;

m)Coordinate the actions of PAHO's network of sentinel centers for maternal health surveillance, strengthening the capacity of these centers for surveillance and response to maternal mortality and morbidity, closing existing knowledge gaps in maternal health and improving the quality of care for pregnant women and newborns;

n)Coordinate with WHO in the area of maternal health, in joint activities with UNFPA, UNICEF, USAID and other UN Agencies, NGOs, civil society to strengthen maternal health programs in countries;

o)Participate in the preparation of the annual program of work, budget and evaluation reports of the HSS, including the participation in resource mobilization activities;

p)Perform other related duties and activities assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in medicine or health science with a specialized degree in obstetrics, gynecology or midwifery, and a master’s degree from a recognized university, in public health, family and community health, health services organization, maternal health and/or sexual and reproductive health or any other field related to the functions of the post.

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.PAHO, only considers official degrees 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 in managing health or inter-sectoral health projects and programs in woman, maternal, perinatal, and sexual and reproductive health. Of these, at least five years should include development of policies, ability to negotiate and coordinate with all relevant sectors of government, the private sector, international agencies and organized community groups

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.

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; 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.

Technical Expertise:

-Demonstrated managerial skills, strategic thinking, and technical knowledge with strong communication skills.

-Ability to negotiate and coordinate with all relevant sectors of government, the private sector, international agencies, organized community groups and WHO/PAHO colleagues.

-Keep abreast of the latest technologies for processing information relevant to the work program.

-Expert knowledge of maternal, perinatal sexual and reproductive health and family health programs and the organization of country health systems with focus on primary health.

-Familiarity with the clinical aspects and essential interventions to support the healthy growth and development of all members of a family.

-Technical expertise in formulating and developing tools for monitoring and evaluating maternal health strategies.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of Spanish or English 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 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 Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

USD $77,326.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment:70.2% 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.

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 an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.

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 personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.

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.