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Unit Chief, Gender and Cultural Diversity

Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/14/FT86

Title: Unit Chief, Gender and Cultural Diversity

Grade: P5

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment

Duration of contract:  Two years, first year probationary period.
 
Date: 19 February 2014
Original published date: 19 February 2014

Application Deadline: 20 April 2014
(14 day(s) until closing deadline)
Republished (Currently accepting applications)

Duty Station:  Washington, D.C., United States of America
 
Organization unit: AM Americas (AM)
Family, Gender and Life Course (FGL)
 
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
The Family, Gender and Life Course (FGL) department of the Pan American Health Organization promotes, coordinates and implements technical cooperation at the regional, sub regional and country levels, emphasizing the central role of the family and community to foster a culture of health promotion and protection in which health is a social value and a human right. FGL focuses on the development and implementation of programs for women and men's health; sexual and reproductive health; maternal and neonatal health; the integrated health and development of children and adolescents; the health of aging populations; food and nutrition; comprehensive family immunization; and gender, equity and cultural diversity approaches.
Description of duties:
Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director (AD), and the direct supervision of the Director, Family, Gender and Life Course (FGL), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a) Provide technical, policy and strategic advice and programmatic direction for the development of technical cooperation strategies to reduce gender and ethnic inequities in health;
b) Advise and lead the implementation of the Organization's Gender Equality Policy; lead the work of the Unit in planning, implementing, monitoring and resourcing work plans, consistent with country needs and the Organization's overall Strategic Plan;
c) Plan and guide the development, implementation and monitoring the Organization's mandates and policies related to gender and ethnic equality in health, in coordination with internal offices and other partners, including: the Gender Equality Policy and its plan of action;
d) Advise and guide the process and accountability of mainstreaming gender and cultural diversity in the policies, programs and monitoring systems of the Organization;
e) Develop and strengthen partnerships with United Nations (UN) agencies, collaborating centers, donors and civil society organizations for advancing gender and diversity in health;
f) Coordinate efforts, initiatives and resources intra- and inter- Unit in order to ensure quality, timely and effective technical cooperation at the regional level to develop, strengthen and sustain public policies, strategies, interventions and programs that guarantee gender and ethnic equality in health;
g) Provide technical advice and guide the development and dissemination of best practices on Gender Equality and Cultural Diversity within the Organization, including at the country level; as well as other knowledge management and communication products;
h) Coordinate the Cross Organizational Team (COT) on Cross Cutting Priorities (CCP) to ensure that the CCP of PAHO's Strategic Plan are integrated in all its planning tools and agreements;
i) Coordinate the preparation of project profiles and proposals to mobilize resources within the programmatic approach for the Unit, and stimulate the mobilization of national and international resources to support country efforts in these areas;
j) Coordinate the collection, analysis and dissemination of technical and scientific knowledge related to gender equality and cultural diversity, related to health throughout the Organization and at country level;
k) Utilize information (epidemiological and surveillance data) to assess the impact of interventions and to set programmatic priorities for the Organization; promote sharing country experiences, lessons learned and best practices;
l) Identify, promote, establish, maintain, and coordinate liaison across the Organization, within WHO, with other United Nations organizations or with other partners, in order to maximize programmatic integration, efficiency and effectiveness;
m) Provide authoritative technical, managerial and policy advice to staff assigned to the Unit, Sub-regional and Regional Advisors located in the countries; review reports submitted by staff and provide constructive feedback;
n) Develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the Unit; 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 ensure continuing operations and maximize results. Ensure that the results are aligned with the Unit's biennial and multi-year plans, including monitoring of activities, adjustments to any deviations, such as redefined objectives or strategies;
o) Formulate and recommend policies, plans, strategies, and budgets, in support of the Organization's mandates related to the work of the Unit; develop and establish guidelines, norms, practices and procedures to improve the Unit's effectiveness and efficiency; report to Governing Bodies, through executives presentations and reports, on the status or results of the Unit's activities;
p) Administer, allocate and monitor the Unit's financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the Unit's program and budget proposals; plan and organize the formulation, development, implementation and control of systems to monitor performance in accordance with the results based management approach;
q) Provide leadership, guidance and monitoring of supervised staff by setting clear work objectives, ensuring timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, engaging in regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment, to include staff development in the Organization's fundamentals, managerial competencies and technical expertise;
r) Promote a culture of ethical behavior and integrity in accordance with the Organization's Code of Ethical Principles and Conduct in order to ensure a culture of respect, responsibility, accountability, and compliance;
s) Collaborate in the Organization's response to emergency situations; provide technical expertise in order to facilitate timely response as required;
t) Direct and participate in the development of policies and their implementation and provide authoritative advice in relation to policy and procedures under the areas of responsibility;
u) Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: A university degree in a health or social science, and a master's degree in gender or cultural diversity from a recognized institution.
Desirable: A Doctoral degree and/or Management training would be an asset. 
Skills: 
Key Behavioral Competencies
Intra-institutional Action: Displays, through leadership and decisions, understanding of the political systems and underlying drivers. Plans and evaluates both unit and individual results to achieve the PAHO's mission. Requires that projects be grounded in scientific evidence and that they be consistent with PAHO's vision, mission and values, and appropriate for the setting in which they will be carried out. Demonstrates a full commitment to the mission and values of the Organization by aligning the area of work with the strategic direction of the Organization. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.
Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions: Evaluates the ideas for interventions in terms of their potential for change and transformation before deciding to execute them. Follows the Organization's strategy in executing technical cooperation interventions in order to generate expected results.
Performance Management : Evaluates the performance of subordinates in terms of the organizational strategy, provides feedback offering measurable suggestions and promotes their professional development. Develops and implements realistic and achievable work plans--including tasks, priorities, resources and schedules. Adjusts goals and courses of action to meet changing needs. In a systematic way develops people through demanding and challenging projects utilizing each employee's competencies. Effectively uses the Organization's official performance evaluation processes and systems. Uses a regular evaluation system. Provides constant and positive feedback to focus development efforts.
Devising the budget for interventions and cost optimization: Demonstrates initiative and managerial capacity in obtaining alternative sources of financing and in mobilizing extra-budgetary resources for interventions. Acquires adequate funding, based upon the resources allocated in intervention plans.
Accountability: Accepts responsibility for the results, for the work of subordinates, for the tasks delegated, the deadlines, and any deviations from them. Requires and oversees the adherence according to the budget. Monitors the progress made upon reaching the objectives and deadlines. For any deviations on the work plan, looks for corrective actions.
Teamwork: Develops a high performing team in one's operational area and also encourages teamwork across the Organization. Establishes and models the standard for teams and teamwork. Provides significant contributions when participating in internal and external work teams. Initiates and leads mutually beneficial productive interpersonal relationships based on trust, both inside and outside the Organization.
Evaluation of technical cooperation interventions: Evaluates criteria for the interventions at the process, management, and outcome level, in addition to technical cooperation evaluation plans, in keeping with the PAHO's strategic direction.
Resource Mobilization: Establishment of an internal Culture that supports the Organization's strategic direction program of work and the organizational results to enable effective resource mobilization. Supports and makes all efforts to increase the level of resources that are considered necessary for operations. Is capable of negotiating with different types of organizations. Uses the financial and non-financial resources with objectivity. Is able to achieve the goals and results with the resources they have.

Technical Expertise
Technical: Extensive progressive expertise at a senior level in managing complex health programs/health systems that address equity at both national and international levels. Wide and varied knowledge of the application of gender and cultural diversity approaches to public health problems and health management processes. Ability to provide authoritative technical advice and contributions.
Managerial: Extensive expertise in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of a large public or private administration of administrative and technical matters requiring sensitive negotiation and high level interventions. Demonstrated ability to provide professional leadership to strategic, organizational, managerial and analytic work in health; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations, sensitive issues; establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural background.
Administrative: Skills in resource mobilization (including fundraising and partner collaboration) and financial management for the delivery of expected results.

IT Skills
Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project will be an asset.
Experience:
Essential: Thirteen years of combined national and international experience in program management, planning and evaluation in areas related to health and development. At least five years of experience working with health related gender equality and/or cultural diversity. Experience in the development, implementation of and fundraising for health and development projects, preferably in an international 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.
Additional Information:
PAHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance scheme, and 30 days annual leave. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, assignment grant, rental subsidy, and home leave.

ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM 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 ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.

THIS VACANCY MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER POSITIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT MAY BECOME VACANT AT A LATER DATE, AND WHICH HAVE SIMILAR REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES AS THE ONES STATED IN THIS NOTICE.
Annual salary: (Net of tax)
US$ 80,887.00 at single rate
US$ 87,069.00 with primary dependants
Post Adjustment: 50.3 % 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.

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.