Technical Officer, Primary Health

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Health Systems and Services (HSS), the incumbent will be responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1.Provide technical cooperation for the development of health systems and services based on Primary Health Care – PHC and articulated in health service delivery networks, according to priorities defined by the PAHO/WHO Representation;

2.Provide advice and technical support to every component related to quality of care and the health services (nursing, drugs, medicine, support and logistic services, diagnostic and therapeutic, health information system including vital statistics and medical records) and priority programs based on family and community approach;

3.Support technical cooperation actions to strengthen the Unified Health System – SUS, with emphasis on implementation of the National Primary Care Policy – PNAB and related regulations in force, especially in relation to the Family Health strategy, in perspective with health services delivery networks;

4.Provide technical support to decentralized technical cooperation actions with States and Municipalities in the field of primary healthcare;

5.Participate in the development of the technical cooperation process in an inter programmatic manner, aiming at joint articulation and support for the implementation of regional themes and priorities;

6.Cooperate with PAHO/WHO, regional and country offices, collaborating actively in technical support to national authorities that participate in the different instances of the Governing Bodies of the PAHO and WHO;

7.Cooperate with PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centers, international cooperation agencies, inter governmental and non-governmental organizations, private sector and other relevant stakeholders, to develop alliances and networks that promote access to quality primary care services, particularly for those most in need and vulnerability;

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

9.Seek to incorporate the cross-cutting themes of the PAHO Regional Strategic Plan into technical cooperation processes: Human Rights, Equity, Gender and Ethnicity;

10.Technically support national initiatives for the exchange and transfer of knowledge about Primary Health Care;

11.Prepare technical opinions and monitoring and evaluation reports of the organization's instruments to support CT management (Letters of Agreement, Contracts, PJ, PF, events and travel) in accordance with institutional regulations and the flows and frequency established by PAHO/WHO in coordination with the counterparts;

12.Participate in the development, design, management and evaluation tools and methodologies to guide the development of national policies in accordance with PAHO/WHO mandates;

13.Participate in and proactively support activities and initiatives that facilitate dialogue with counterparties and partners, the identification of opportunities for cooperation, building proposals and solving problems, developing a positive relationship with institutions and the country;

14.Support information and knowledge management actions on the topics of responsibility;

15.Monitor the processing of demands generated by projects, ensuring compliance with deadlines and standards, providing information requested by counterparts and evaluating the processes for executing demands to ensure good technical performance;

16.Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education :

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in health-related science, public health, or related field from a recognized university.

Desirable: Post degree in public health, health management, human resources development or similar.

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:.PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, to support the validation process.

Experience :

Essential: Five years of professional experience in areas related to primary health and health systems, including experience in technical cooperation in institutions concerned with public health management or evaluation of health systems and services.

Desirable: Experience working in UN system.

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.

· Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others. - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/ attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.

· Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Write effectively/Listen/Shares knowledge - Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (, power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.

· Knowing and managing yourself: Manages stress/Invite feedback/Continuously learn - Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and/or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps.

· Producing Results: Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

· Moving forward in a changing environment: Propose change/Adapt to change - Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

·Technical expertise in primary health, including technical cooperation in projects in developing countries.

·Knowledge of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and control of the technical cooperation actions programs.

·Ability to plan, monitor and evaluate the technical cooperation processes.

·Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria for evaluating program interventions.

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

·Ability to integrate managerial and administrative inputs into recommendation for decision-making process; ability to work independently and to manage multiple assignments simultaneously in a complex organizational environment.

·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 Portuguese with a working knowledge of English or Spanish. Knowledge of French 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 Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio and Outlook, One Drive, Teams, SharePoint, Project and electronic sources in research activities.