Mexico City, Mexico.
This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH) is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and implementing technical cooperation activities related to the prevention, control, and surveillance of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders, including their risk factors, disabilities and rehabilitation, road safety and unintentional injuries, as well as prevention of and response to violence in all its forms. NMH raises political, public, and professional awareness and helps policymakers, health authorities, practitioners, and communities understand the burden of the most common NCDs, their related risk factors, and associated conditions. NMH promotes multi-sector and multi-stakeholder strategies that strengthen the capacity of Member States to promote and protect health through public policies, programs, services and surveillance, that reduce risks, improve NCD prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and self-management support to reduce the disease burden and improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of the population.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the general supervision of the Director, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health (NMH), and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Risk Factors and Nutrition (NMH/RF) and the Regional advisor on tobacco control, the incumbent will be responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:
1) Lead and coordinate the technical assistance on tobacco taxes and related economic of tobacco control topics, with the goal of accelerating improvement of tobacco tax policy scores in line with the WHO FCTC, best practices and the WHO MPOWER package, in close coordination with the tobacco control regional advisor, PAHO/WHO relevant country offices staff, and other pertinent PAHO/WHO staff. This includes maintaining effective partnerships with all involved stakeholders to exchange critical and technical information, resolve challenges, and ensure that activities and deliverables are implemented as planned;
2) Provide strategically country-tailored technical assistance for the development of evidence-based resources concerning excise tobacco taxes, in line with the WHO FCTC, best practices and the WHO MPOWER package, to drive progress in utilizing tobacco taxes to achieve health goals. This encompasses leveraging international expertise to enrich national policy dialogues, capitalizing on PAHO’s established partnerships while also cultivating new ones. This involves engaging actively international partners and expertise based on national authorities’ needs;
3) Develop and execute capacity-building activities and technical missions aimed at equipping health and finance officials with the necessary skills to enhance alignment between fiscal and health policies on tobacco taxes. This involves building bridges between national authorities and international organizations such as the World Bank, and OECD as well as international partners in the academia in the regional public policy dialogue on tobacco taxes, as well as facilitating the exchange of international expertise;
4) Guide and conduct research translation and knowledge transfer actions related to the evidence supporting tobacco taxes and fostering their use as an effective way to reduce tobacco use and prevent young people from initiating in their use. This includes development of resources in collaboration with partners as needed to support authorities in advancing tobacco taxes;
5) Coordinate and maintain the periodic monitoring of the implementation of excise taxes on tobacco products in the Region of the Americas in line with international and regional mandates and following established WHO/PAHO data collection processes and instruments;
6) Systematize lessons learned on tobacco taxes monitoring that could be applied to taxes on alcohol, sugar-sweetened beverages, and unhealthy products;
7) Collaborate with RF team members in the operational planning, monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy and Plan of Action to Strengthen Tobacco Control in the Region of the Americas 2025-2030 and the PAHO Strategic Plan 2020-2025 and Biennial Work Plans;
8) Participate as a member of the RF team to contribute to the successful implementation of the Unit’s activities;
9) Participate actively in relevant working groups, meetings and fora; compile reports and present analyses on relevant programmatic issues;
10) Conduct research on technical areas, as directed; obtain and share information on project-related issues;
11) Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: A bachelor’s degree in economics or social science or in any other field related to the functions of the position, from a recognized university.
Desirable: A master’s degree in economics, public policy, international affairs, or a field related to the functions of the position from a recognized university 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. PAHO, considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in one of the following databases:
World Higher Education Database (WHED), list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, college navigator to support the validation process.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
Experience:
Essential: Seven years of combined national and international experience in the field of health economics, public policy or socio-economic development.
Desirable: Practical experience working in public health projects at the international level in Latin America and the Caribbean. Experience working in economics of tobacco control. Specialization or training in an area related to excise taxation of tobacco, alcohol or SSB products.
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/Deal effectively with conflict – Creates team spirit; promotes collaboration and open communication in the team; proactively supports others; welcomes team responsibilities and drives team results; promotes knowledge sharing in the team. Proactively identifies conflicts and facilitates their resolution in a respectful manner; tactfully resolves conflicts between or with others and takes action to reduce any possible tension; effectively builds a rapport with individuals and teams, establishing good personal and professional relationships, as well as minimizing risk of potential conflict.
• 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.
• Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Listen/Write effectively/Share knowledge – Foresees communication needs of audience and targets mcessage accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. 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/Take responsibility – Prioritizes work, monitors own progress against objectives and adapts plans as required; communicates adjustments as necessary. Acts proactively and stimulates action as needed; handles problems effectively and constructively. 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 – Actively supports Organizational change initiatives and demonstrates personal commitment to them, including when faced with new demands; proposes workable solutions to challenging situations. Engages in positive responses to a changing environment and promotes workable solutions to achieve own and team’s results. Welcomes, and actively seeks to apply, new ideas, approaches and working methods and technologies in order to improve own and/or team’s work processes and results; demonstrates commitment to Organizational change initiatives.
Technical Expertise:
• Technical expertise in economics, public policy, international affairs, public health, preferably in health economics and non-communicable diseases.
• Organizational, analytical quantitative skills and knowledge of statistics to manage knowledge and information on public policies and/or tobacco control.
• Ability to develop and maintain partnerships for coordinated execution of projects.
• Ability to prepare funding proposals.
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key technical issues.
• Excellent organizational and analytic skills combined with 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.
• Ability to integrate managerial and technical inputs into recommendations for decision-making processes; ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment.
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.
REMUNERATION
Monthly Salary: (Net of taxes)
$5,343.42 (Salary is non-negotiable)
Post Adjustment:
$3,328.95 This amount 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 identify candidates to fill other similar short-term professional positions, at the same grade level.
• PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including a monthly 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 may include: 2.5 days annual leave per month, generous telework policy, parental leave, sick leave, pension plan, and health insurance scheme. Other benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, settling-in grant and rental subsidy.
• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this position as a form of screening.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
• PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• PAHO 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 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 misconduct.
• PAHO 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 a smoke-free environment.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.
This job ad will be unpublished on 07/01/2025.
This job is posted by World Health Organization.
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