Advisor, Social Determinants of 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 Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity (DHE) Department leads intersectoral, strategic and collaborative efforts at the regional, subregional and country levels, enabling countries to reduce health inequities, promote health and well-being, address social determinants of health -including its commercial, economic, political dimensions- to integrate equity, human rights, gender and interculturality into the public health agenda, and to address the threats of climate change, to create healthy environments and to prevent disease by addressing environmental risk factors.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Social and Environmental Determinants for Health Equity (DHE) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health (DHE/HP), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical advice and facilitate the incorporation of social determinants as a guiding principle for the development and implementation of health programs and strategies across relevant areas of work; promote and address social determinants of health to reduce health inequities as an objective of all areas of the Organization’s work, especially priority health and development programs;

2. Develop and disseminate strategies to advocate for a social determinants of health approach to the formulation of public policies; strengthen the capacities of Ministries of Health to advocate for and promote intersectoral action on social determinants of health;

3. Collaborate on developing technical support and advice to Member States to implement a health-in-all-policies and inter-sectoral approaches to improve health and to reduce health inequities;

4. Collaborate in the design and development, and support the implementation of the Social Determinants component of the Universal Health Strategy in Member States, in close collaboration with the Health Systems and Services Department (HSS);

5. Provide technical advice and develop activities to address the impact of social determinants on population’s health in Member States; address elements beyond healthcare services, such as material circumstances of daily living (e.g., employment, housing, transport, access to goods and services, etc.), commercial determinants, among others, and propose effective intervention strategies;

6. Lead the implementation of the recommendations of the Regional Commission on Health inequities from a Social Determinants perspective and the World report on Social determinants;

7. Provide technical support for the Organization’s work on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal/Agenda 2030, particularly beyond SDG3;

8. Provide technical support to ongoing work on the revitalization of primary health care addressing the social determinants, aligned with the main public health priorities;

9. Develop and promote redesign of public health programs to include social determinants and health equity;

10. Facilitate the debate and the preparation and implementation of joint projects on social determinants of health with social movements and civil society;

11. Contribute and collaborate with Member States in strengthening existing efforts to measure and evaluate social determinants of health and the causes of health inequities, in the development and monitoring of targets on health equity;

12. Support the resource mobilization efforts of the Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health Unit; articulate and provide technical support on social determinants perspective to other areas of the Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health Unit;

13. Provide technical advice and support to Member States in the production and development of evidence-based approaches for addressing health determinants, utilizing strategies such as social observatories to change the discussion within society and key stakeholders;

14. Collaborate and support the implementation of research activities and evaluate the implementation of effective policies and interventions to improve health by addressing the social determinants of health to strengthen research capacities and collaborations;

15. Work closely with partner agencies (UN, Interamerican System) on appropriate coordination mechanisms and measures that address the social health determinants and promote policy coherence in order to minimize health inequities, and to advocate for this topic to be high on global development and research agendas;

16. Provide technical advice and support the strengthening of the Organization’s capacity related to addressing the social determinants of health in order to reduce health inequities;

17. Collaborate in the preparation of the department’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP) and the execution of international cooperation, including the analysis of political, technical and socioeconomic realities;

18. 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;

19. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A university degree in medicine, other health science or a social science, and a master’s degree in public health or any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A PhD in public health or a related area would be an asset.

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 technical cooperation programs and projects that address the determinants of health, community-based solutions, policies in local and national social development programs as well as equity.

Desirable: Proven experience in managing complex international programs related to the social determinants of health and equity would be an asset. Scientific publications in indexed journal in the area related to social determinants and health equity 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 the 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 and practical expertise in all aspects related to technical cooperation projects and activities that address the social determinants of health, community-based solutions and policies in national and local, and social development programs.

· Technical expertise in translating social determinants of health theory into practice at national and local levels through public health programs, interventions, and policies.

· Technical expertise in monitoring, research and evaluation of health equity and social determinants.

· Proven expertise in management of public health programs and the integration of health equity in public health programs, sectors or agencies.

· Research expertise in applying quantitative and qualitative methodologies to document situations, outcomes and lessons learned.

· Ability to analyze social determinants of health and the capability to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions.

· Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control.

· Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple 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 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.