The Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health Department (EIH) is responsible for leading the Organization into the modern era of information for health, and aims to strengthen evidence-based decision-making through the use of improved data management, analysis, forecasting and scenario setting, using cutting edge information technology. EIH is responsible for developing models, norms and standards for strengthening governance mechanisms for information systems for health, in line with the Organization's policies and strategies for integrated and interoperable systems. The Department also coordinates the monitoring and measurement of the impact indicators of the Organization’s Strategic Plan and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and measurement of inequity and inequality in health. The Department gathers and provides strategic information and intelligence to develop and support the implementation of evidence-based policies and sound decisions on public health matters in collaboration with all Pan American Sanitary Bureau (PASB) entities, Member States and partners. EIH coordinates internal PASB data-driven and evidence-based efforts and will collaborate with WHO and other UN and Inter-American system agencies to support the needs of Member States and the Secretariat in the areas under its responsibility.
Under the general guidance of the Director and the direct supervision of the Assistant Director, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties:
Lead, manage and provide technical, strategic and programmatic direction for the development of evidence-informed policies, frameworks, standards, tools, norms and strategies to improve data management and analysis, forecasting and scenario setting within the Organization; lead and manage organizational capacity to advance technical cooperation support to Member States by the provision of improved mechanisms for data and information management in health;
Oversee the review and analysis of the Organization’s data ecosystem; coordinate and guide the development and execution of corporate and technical cooperation strategies for data management (including standardization and interoperability), governance, and analysis, ensuring alignment with internal policy and the needs of the Organization and its Member States; promote an environment which optimizes accessibility and usability of available data through PAHO’s Health Information Platform (PLISA) and other corporate portals;
Oversee the delivery of technical cooperation to Member States in data science and management, information systems, information and communication technologies for health, informed evidence - based and digital health, in collaboration with other Departments, Country Offices, partners, the network of collaborating centers; guide project implementation, project financing and executing arrangements; ensure timely monitoring, reporting and evaluation of projects and program results;
Devise, plan, promote, coordinate and implement activities on priority issues pertaining to the gathering of strategic information and intelligence and the development of research uptake and evidence-informed policies, and their application to the health priorities of Member States;
Lead the development of a data analytics strategy for the measurement of equity and strengthening of the Member States’ analytical capabilities (including the use of qualitative and quantitative data) as appropriate; ensure the development of analytics methodologies and tools that contribute to the design of robust simple and complex analyses based on data and research;
Oversee and guide the development of analytical algorithms within the Department and with the technical entities in PAHO that facilitate analysis, forecasting, and modeling to support evidence-informed decision making within the context of health plans and prevention strategies;
Direct and guide the implementation of the Information Systems for Health strategy, including the assessment of the level of maturity of the national information systems for health; oversee the development of national strategies related to the strengthening of interconnected and interoperable national information systems for health, taking into account the information and communication technologies, existing resources, structures, mechanisms and environment, as applicable to each country;
Oversee the management of priority corporate data-driven projects, including the measuring and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the impact indicators of the Organization’s Strategic Plans, among others;
Lead and define the Organization’s response and technical cooperation on e-Health and the adoption of digital health solutions at the national level;
Supervise and coordinate the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences and Information (BIREME), based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to ensure the Center elaborates and implements its biennial work plan (BWP) and its alignment to the Organization’s Strategic Plan and policies as well to BIREME’s mandates, strengthening its visibility and capacity to support the Member States and the Secretariat in the use of evidence for policy making;
Oversee the preparation and execution of the Department’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP); develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the Department; be accountable for the products and services;
Administer, allocate and monitor the implementation of the Department’s financial and human resources; prepare, and justify the program and budget proposals; define the Department’s Human Resources Plan including the organizational structure, competencies and terms of reference; initiate and recommend approval of personnel actions for all staff and other personnel;
Develop, define and establish the strategy, functions, plan and budget of the Department; ensure that the strategy and objectives are aligned with the Organization’s vision, mission, values, policies, strategies, and priorities; monitor the implementation of activities, implement corrections of any deviations and incorporate feedback to redefine the objectives and/or strategies; ensure that results and products delivered by the Department are aligned with the Organizational Strategy and make significant contributions to output, outcome and impact targets as defined in the Organization’s Strategic Plan;
Provide leadership to guide staff and motivate teams in a multicultural environment, and ensure continuous training and development of staff; including guidance and monitoring of staff through setting of clear work objectives, use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts;
Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: A university degree in a health, social or management science and a master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science Management, Biostatistics, Information Systems, Health Analytics or related field from a recognized institution.
Desirable: A Ph.D. in epidemiology, public health, health information or related field would be an asset.
In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide 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/search/default.asp 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: Fifteen years of combined national and international experience in a senior data analytics or data science position, primarily within a public health setting. Experience in building and leading health data science organizations or in formulating and/or implementing practices for data analytics and evidence. The incumbent should be highly skilled in the design, development, and validation of processes for data management and governance, as well as in processes and techniques for conducting simple and complex analytics.
Desirable: Proven experience in advising senior and executive management, as well as experience managing data and analytics teams, and driving change within a large, complex organization.
SKILLS:
PAHO Competencies:
Intrainstitutional 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.
Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting: Leads one’s area toward a culture of decision-making that is based upon objective analysis of situational evidence and application of previously acquired knowledge. Provides oversight in the verification process that targets how area of work takes action in situations that will require future intervention, based on ongoing analysis. Presents solutions evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Is capable of anticipating the implications of an analyzed situation for two years or more.
Communication: Instills a culture that encourages effective communication in multicultural environments. Models effective dialogue that seeks all opportunities of conversation with key players by displaying or underlying drivers. Seeks to align the area of work with a strategic direction of the organization by displaying underlying values.
Leadership: Ensures that others buy into leader's mission, goals, agenda, climate, tone and policy. Sets a good example by modeling behaviors that align with the Organization's vision, mission and values. Ensures that their team tasks are completed. Is able to communicate easily within the unit and across the organization, is enthusiastic and committed to the team. Provides feedback and coaching.
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.
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.
External Action: Develops and maintains mutually beneficial working productive partnerships. In the area under one’s charge, monitors all activities, using transparency in the execution of all processes. Verifies that the conditions and deadlines set for turning in the product are met, and can objectively report on the results. Leverages external actors to actors to accomplish strategic goals.
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 decision-making level in data science and analysis with specialization in assessing, understanding, and controlling the impacts of data management and analysis that will keep the Organization at the forefront in data management, analysis, forecasting, modeling, and scenario setting, and using cutting-edge information technology that supports informed data-driven bases for decision-making. Ability to provide authoritative technical advice to the Organization and its Member States.
Managerial: Extensive expertise in senior, progressively responsible positions in the management of a large public or private administration with 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 data science, analysis, evidence based information systems; must possess resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations, sensitive issues; should be able to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, discipline, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds.
Administrative: Skills in the creation and integration of administrative procedures for the delivery of highest quality results from the teams, as well as experience in resource mobilization (including fundraising and partner collaboration) and financial management for the delivery of expected results.
Languages:
Very good knowledge of English or Spanish, with a working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
IT Skills:
Demonstrated ability in utilizing statistical and predictive analytics with knowledge of social media analysis software, and data management tools, technologies, and IT infrastructure.
REMUNERATION
Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)
US$97,805
Post Adjustment: 47.1% of the above figure. 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.
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