Gender and Health Advisor

Job Description

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 Deputy Director (DD), and the direct supervision of the Chief, Equity, Gender and Cultural Diversity (EGC), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

• Provide technical advice for the implementation of the Organization’s Gender Equality Policy, its lines of action and mainstreaming strategies; develop policies, strategies, plans, objectives, and methodologies for program implementation and evaluation, consistent with country needs and within the framework of the policy;
• Provide technical advice and guide the development and dissemination of best practices on gender mainstreaming issues to develop gender-responsive plans, programs and policies within the Organization’s technical cooperation programs; provide technical support for the use of data for decision-making regarding policies and programs to promote gender equality in health and its determinants;
• Cooperate with country offices and international cooperation agencies, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders to develop alliances and networks to mobilize a high-level of technical collaboration in the implementation of the Gender Equality Policy;
• Participate in the preparation of project profiles and proposals to mobilize resources within the programmatic areas of work, and stimulate the mobilization of national and international resources to support country efforts in the areas of responsibility;
• Coordinate the collection, analysis and dissemination of technical and scientific knowledge related to gender issues throughout the Organization and at country level;
• Collaborate in the integration of a gender equality in the design and analysis of national health programs to contribute to the achievement of gender equality in health status and health development;
• Promote the development of collaboration initiatives related to gender issues between UN organizations and Inter-American systems, multilateral and bilateral institutions, as well as national and international NGOs.
• Represent the Organization in technical meetings, seminars, congresses and academic events under areas of responsibility;
• Provide technical advice to the Organization’s technical programs in matters of gender equality and diversity, as well as rights-based approaches;
• Collaborate in the preparation of the Biennial Work Plan, semestral work plans, periodic evaluations of program performance, technical reports, and collaborate in definition of overall team priorities;
• Provide technical and administrative supervision to technical and support staff assigned to the Team and/or participate in technical supervision to EGC staff in the field; evaluate and/or participate in their performance evaluation; participate in the process of selecting and placing professional staff in Gender, Equality and Health at regional and country levels;
• 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;
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education :

Essential: A university degree in a health or gender related discipline, social science, or public policy (women’s health, community development, diversity etc.) or related functions to the post, and a master’s degree in public health or a related field (with gender studies) 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)/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 in management, programming, strategic planning, research, teaching or capacity building, planning and evaluation in areas related to health and development, at least five years should include health related gender/equality and equity issues.

Desirable: Experience in the development and implementation of health development projects including health profiles or gender assessment, preferably in an international organization 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 : Write effectively/Share knowledge - 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.
• 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 knowledge and technical expertise at the highest level in all aspects related to technical cooperation activities in gender, equality and health.
• Technical expertise in formulating and developing tools for monitoring and evaluating gender, equality and health strategies.
• Knowledge and skills in project planning, management and evaluation, including resource mobilization and grant management.
• Strong public health and strategic thinking background showing resourcefulness, initiative, leadership qualities and skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive areas; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key political and technical issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders, including community stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• 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.

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.


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.

Closing Date: September 20, 2022