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Qualifications

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 Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) Department promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities, directed at the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and related risk factors, mental, neurological and substance use disorders and disabilities, and promotion of optimal nutrition and road safety, that are evidence-based and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented. It raises political and public awareness and understanding of the burden of the most common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental and neurological health and substance use disorders, related risk factors and conditions and leads multi-sector and multi-stakeholder strategic and collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening Member States’ capacity to promote and protect health through public policies, programs, and services. This will reduce risks and disease burden and contribute to improving the physical, mental and social well-being of the population.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health(NMH) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief of Mental Health and Substance Use (NMH/MH), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties:

a)   Provide technical, strategic advice and programmatic direction for the implementation of the program of work for mental health and suicide prevention; advise in the preparation and implementation of mental health suicide prevention policies, plans, legislation and services, as well as, the creation and dissemination of effective programs to decrease the burden of mental health disorders and suicide; collaborate in the strengthening of national mental health and suicide prevention programs with emphasis of health services and the inclusion of mental health and suicide prevention as a component of primary health care;

b)   Advise, support and coordinate the sub-regional technical cooperation programs/activities related to the development and implementation of national mental health and suicide prevention programs and services leading to the restructuring of the mental health systems in the English-speaking Caribbean countries and territories;

c)    Contribute to the process of collecting and disseminating updated scientific and evidence-based technical information; advise and support the development and implementation of comprehensive national mental health information systems and suicide surveillance; create reporting tools to monitor mental health and suicide prevention programs;

d)   Advise and participate in the analysis of the regional situation on mental health and suicide prevention; consolidate and disseminate information related to situations and trends in mental health and suicide prevention;

e)   Participate in discussions on mental health with governments, donors and other partners, at national and international levels, including civil society, in particular mental health services users and families;

f)    Support, promote, and strengthen national or international networks directed to improve and implement mental health and suicide prevention plans, programs and projects; participate in the coordination of Collaborating Centers in the field of mental health and suicide prevention;

g)   Provide advice, support and promote technical cooperation among countries in the field of mental health and suicide prevention;

h)   Collaborate in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Organization’s Strategic Plan, emphasizing activities under the associated area of work strategic objectives; promote greater effectiveness of program activities and appropriate resources utilization; collect and consolidate regional information to respond to WHO’s requests for information;

i)     Mobilize international and national political, technical and financial resources and extra-budgetary funds in support of national and regional programs.

j)    Represent the Organization at national and regional technical meetings and in inter-agency consultations on areas of responsibility.

k)   Contribute to develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget for mental health and suicide prevention. 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 maximize results.

l)     Formulate and recommend policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the Governing Bodies’ mandates related to mental health and suicide prevention; report to Governing Bodies, through executive presentations and reports, on the status or results of the activities;

m)  Participate in the preparation of the Unit’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget and technical evaluation reports;

n)   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;

o)   Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A university degree in a health-related profession and a master’s in mental health, public health, 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)/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 the planning and management of mental health services and programs, including mental health formulation and implementation and reorganization of mental health services;

Desirable: Experience in teaching and research 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 – 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:

·       Technical expertise in current and new concepts on mental health and suicide prevention programs; management or evaluation of mental health services; promotion of public health regulations and interventions; development of strategies, programs and interventions for prevention and treatment of mental health disorders.

·       Expert knowledge in public health for the development, implementation, and analysis of technical cooperation programs; requiring strategic thinking, resourcefulness, initiative, leadership qualities, skills to deals with difficult situations and sensitive areas.

·       Excellent analytical skills and demonstrated abilities in performing complex analyses on a wide range of factors, requirements, priorities for the assessment and implementation of activities in multi-sectoral and multi-cultural environments.

·       Knowledge and skills in project planning, management and evaluation, including resource mobilization and grant management.

·       Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, and the ability to produce results under crisis situations.

·       Expert knowledge of global mental health initiatives and partnerships.

·       Ability to negotiate, influence, and impact positively on the generation and implementation of partnerships with national and international institutions as well as with private and public sector organizations.

·       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 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 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.