Project Management Specialist

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director (AD), and the direct supervision of the Technical Advisor, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1.Provide technical support for the implementation of the Canada Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) Umbrella Grant; manage the financial resources assigned to ensure the effective execution of the Project Implementation Plan, including the development, day-to-day operation, monitoring and evaluation of work plans;

2.Coordinate the planning, execution, monitoring and coordination of Headquarters and country-based Project activities, which involve a range of partners and subject areas at the local, national and international levels, in close coordination with PAHO/WHO Country Representative (PWR) Offices, Project Focal points in countries and Regional and Subregional Advisors;

3.Monitor the adequate implementation of the components of the Project; facilitate technical analysis of progress, identify obstacles and propose changes in the interventions, if required, to meet agreed upon results; support the development, approval, monitoring and evaluation of work plans and budgets, and conduct financial management to ensure proper use

4.Manage the financial resources assigned to the project for the effective execution of the Project Implementation Plan; monitor the timely execution of Project funds in collaboration with Country Offices and Headquarters entities involved in the Project;

5.Develop and apply planning tools and monitoring and evaluation instruments to facilitate programming and reporting on progress of the Project components;

6.Provide technical support to all the components of the Project; coordinate and participate in site visits, both for detailed planning of activities and tasks, and to monitor and supervise the implementation of the Project as a whole, in coordination with the PWRs and orientation of the Assistant Director;

7.Maintain effective partnerships with all Project stakeholders to exchange critical and technical information and resolve Project implementation issues to ensure results are achieved as planned;

8.Support inter-programmatic planning and monitoring of the Project and the incorporation of cross-cutting components (gender, cultural diversity, equity and human rights) in its programming;

9.Advise and collaborate with the Headquarters entities and Country Offices in the preparation of annual work plans to ensure that that these are aligned with the Project logical framework and the Organization’s program of work and priorities;

10.Participate in the Project evaluation by collecting and organizing supporting materials; preparing Terms of Reference for evaluators; participate in evaluator selection process; liaise with Project entities that will be contributing to the evaluation;

11.Prepare monitoring and progress reports in accordance with Project agreement, both financial and technical, to be submitted to the donor;

12.Conduct yearly project risk evaluation exercises and develop risk mitigation plans in collaboration with PAHO Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Project implementing entities,

13.Provide guidance on the implementation of the Project communication strategy and timely feedback on communications products prepared in the framework of the Project;

14.Participate actively in Canada Project Managers Network, coordinated by ERP;

15.Represent the entity and liaise with other offices of the Organization regarding administrative matters and provide inputs and recommendations;

16.Work in close collaboration, coordination and interaction with all organizational entities, at Regional, Subregional and Country level, as required;

17.Work in close coordination and interaction with the Office of the Assistant Director’s Administrative Team;

18.Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education :

Essential: A university degree in a health or social science or any other discipline related to the functions of the post, from an accredited institution.

Desirable: A master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, health services administration and/or proven training in project and financial management 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: . 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: Seven years of combined national and international experience in public health project management and program development, monitoring and evaluation, and the design, review, implementation and evaluation of large-scale health projects.

Desirable: Experience in technical project management in the social fields, preferably health project management requiring coordination among different institutions, national and international, including government authorities 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.

· 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 message 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 time lines 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.

· 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.

Technical Expertise:

·Strong knowledge and skills in public health administration, project planning and results-based management, including resource mobilization and grant and financial management.

·Ability to develop and propose practical solutions in the planning, monitoring, evaluation and general management of extra-budgetary funded projects.

·Strong analytical skills and ability to analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources.

·Knowledge and understanding of the work of multilateral and bilateral cooperation (health) agencies, and in the field of international public health including the collection, analysis and dissemination of information.

·Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership techniques, and coordination of people and resources.

·Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment to re-prioritize actions on short notice.

·Theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles and practices of public health advocacy, communications for health, news media, social media, knowledge management, and organization and dissemination, collaboration and refinement of information.

·Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and tact to effectively communicate with senior level health officials in public and private sector and the civil society, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

·Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentation, 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 a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint would be an asset.