Post Title: Advisor, Health-related
Legislation
Organization: AM Americas (AM)
Location: Washington, D.C., United States of America
Grade: P4
Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment
Duration of contract: Two years, first year probationary period.
Legal
Counsel, Office of the Legal Counsel (LEG)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
Provides
advice and legal counsel to PAHO/WHO's Governing Bodies, Executive Management,
PAHO/WHO Representations (PWRs), Centers, and Country Offices in all legal
matters, including the application of national and international law to the
Organization's programs and activities as well as constitutional,
administrative, and procedural matters. Drafts, reviews, and/or negotiates
contracts, treaties, agreements, resolutions, and any other type of instrument
which has legal implications for the Organization. Represents and defends the
Organization before the internal appeals process as well as the Administrative
Tribunal of the International Labor Organization and other national or
international judicial and quasi-judicial fora, as appropriate.
Description of duties:
Under the
direct supervision of the Legal Counsel, Office of Legal Counsel (LEG), the
incumbent is responsible, but not necessarily limited to the following assigned
duties:
·
Lead PAHO's technical cooperation efforts in the
field of legislation, at the national and regional levels, in all areas that
impact health, including trade, intellectual property, investment, and the
environment. Design, develop and execute innovative national/regional
strategies to enhance PAHO's influence, image and standing as a leader on
health and safety legislative issues in the Americas;
·
Coordinate PAHO's advocacy and outreach efforts
on legislation, exploiting political/legislative/regulatory opportunities, and
leveraging PAHO/WHO's resources to advance the health priorities established by
PAHO's Governing Bodies;
·
Plan, implement and monitor PAHO's legislative
strategy, following legislative priorities established by Member States,
formulating and recommending legislation and co-sponsorships, and soliciting
and considering input from relevant Departments and Offices within the
Organization on the impact of proposed legislation;
·
Design, adapt and promote the application of
theoretical and conceptual plans, policies and methodologies to guide Member
States in the adoption of health-related legislation, identifying the
appropriate legal instrument by which this can be most effectively be
accomplished by each Member State.
·
Provide technical cooperation for the
development of legislative frameworks that facilitate the development and
implementation of legislation at national, supra-national and local levels and
corresponding legal instruments by which this can most effectively be
accomplished by each Member State.
·
Provide technical cooperation on legislation as
it relates to health. Promote, implement and support the analysis and
formulation of legislation alternatives for the health sector. Cooperate with
other staff in the formulation and implementation of comprehensive,
multidisciplinary approaches to health policy analysis and development by
providing advice and recommendations from the legal and juridical sciences
perspective. Analyze the relationship between current/proposed legislation and
the situation/context of the country(ies) of the Region in which it applies.
Prepare written summaries of legislation and provide interpretation of legal
instruments, such as constitutions, statutes, treaties, agreements,
resolutions, regulations or other legal materials relevant to the development
of legislation of Member States.
·
Create legislative plans and initiatives, draft
proposals, and laws. Develop legislation recommendations through research,
evaluation, comparative analysis, and stakeholder forums. Plan, organize,
manage and direct PAHO sponsored legislation through the respective legislative
process. Ensure full implementation at the national or regional levels of WHO
and regional treaties such as the FCTC and IHR. Collaborate with WHO
Headquarters and other Regional Offices in matters related to legislation.
·
Develop needs assessments. Identify gaps with
regard to best practices and prioritize legislation advice areas. Initiate,
formulate, plan, organize, execute and coordinate research and analysis on
legislation issues. Present and defend research, analytical results and
legislation options. Provides in-depth analyses of specific issues which affect
legislation passing/adoption. Assess how proposed changes would impact on other
related legislations/policies. Compile information about the impact of
legislation through research and discussion with stake holders and other
groups. May conduct original research on high visibility and potentially
controversial legislation issues.
·
Stay abreast of developments and issues relating
to legislation in Member Countries. Research and analyze local legislation and
monitor new legislative proposals and regional trends, keeping PAHO leadership
updated. Report on significant legislative policy developments of interest to
PAHO. Identify global legislation and models for application in Member States.
Prepare, recommend and communicate PAHO's position on different legislative
matters. Coordinate a communications strategy, including the drafting of
talking points, press releases, speeches, briefs, reports, fact sheets and any
other necessary materials for a wide-range of audiences.
·
Formulate and draft comprehensive analytical
reports, papers, research documents, and other written material for internal
use or publication. Develop and maintain organizational spreadsheets and
databases on legislation to monitor progress, track growth and capacity needs.
·
Organize, conduct and/or participate in
workshops, education sessions and conferences. Represent the Organization at
meetings and participate as technical expert on legislation in public forums.
Provides expert reviews to staff in the production of educational information
and advocacy materials representing PAHO's policy positions. Provide technical
assistance and tools (such as guidelines and model laws) to aid Member States
in national health reform, along with creating or enhancing legal capacities.
·
Identify, engage, cultivate and manage strategic
relationships and partnerships with intergovernmental organizations, NGOs,
trade associations, advocacy groups, government officials, and other
influential players. Promote and develop collaborative activities with academic
institutions aimed at disseminating and advancing the development of
comprehensive and integrated legislations.
·
Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: A
university degree in Law from a recognized university and license to practice
law in a PAHO Member State.
Desirable:
Master's degree in public health or in a relevant specialized area of the law,
such as international law.
Skills:
Key Behavioral Competencies
·
Intrainstitutional Action: Operates in a fair,
consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Ensures
that the mission and the values of the Organization as well as the setting in
which projects will be carried out are the drivers in one's technical work.
Understands the results required and performs to that standard. Behaves
consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.
·
Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting: After
analyzing situations on the basis of the available evidence and knowledge,
leads one's area of responsibility toward individual and collective actions.
Encourages the importance of continual analysis. Verifies and promotes that
action is taken in situations that will require future intervention, based on
ongoing analysis. Leads others in decisions needed to implement required
actions. Is capable of anticipating the implications of analyzed situations
between one and two years ahead.
·
Communication: Leads the development of an
environment that actively establishes and proactively engages in productive
dialogues that involve multicultural environments. Encourages the skills and
behaviors that facilitate productive dialogues. Expresses points of view
effectively.
·
Teamwork: Promotes team work and leads one's
area to finish tasks and accept responsibility. Creates a positive environment
within the area of work. Makes everyone feel like they are part of the team as
well as welcomes and appreciates everyone's ideas and suggestions. Able to see
the positive aspects of working as a team, shares the team's enthusiasm for
achieving mutual goals.
·
External Action: Promotes the values of the
Organization through mutually beneficial relationships with external
institutions. Monitors one's work using transparency in the execution of all
tasks.
·
Interinstitutional and Intersectoral Action:
Persuades others, fostering consensus inside and outside the Organization,
targeting the establishment of identifiable priorities so as to create policies
consistent with the Organization's mission. Generates intervention proposals
focused on the needs of users and interinstitutional and intersectoral
partners.
·
Service Orientation: Makes concrete attempts to
add value to the client, to make things better for the client in some way. Is
always aware of the client's need (internal and/or external clients).
·
Resource Mobilization: Establishes partnerships
and alliances with a variety of institutions and organizations as well as
internal partnerships to obtain financial and non-financial resources. Is able
to relate with all types of people and at all levels in order to obtain
resources that are needed. Is able to present and disseminate information in a
clear manner. Executes resources according to the agreements previously
established with partnerships.
Technical Expertise:
·
Expert knowledge of the basic principles of
constitutional law and regulations concerning public and individual health.
·
Sound knowledge of health law and public health
law, at the national and international levels.
·
Sound knowledge of public international law.
·
Sound knowledge of human rights and
social/economic determinants of health.
·
Demonstrated competence in policy and
legislative analysis.
·
Sound knowledge of most relevant aspects of
current issues in health and safety which could form the basis for policy
making and legislation.
·
Strong research skills. Knowledge of data
collection and analysis methods. Familiarity with databases related to
legislation. Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative participatory
evaluations.
·
Sound knowledge and understanding of
global/international health policy, organizations and actors and technical and
financial cooperation in health as applied to health legislation processes.
·
Experience analyzing and addressing policy
issues. Skills in overseeing and implementing policy and advocacy work.
·
Demonstrated ability to consult, build
relationships/partnerships and work with stakeholder groups.
·
Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to
function in complex, changing environments, and to work with diverse groups as
well as independently.
·
Ability to write, analyze and discuss the
potential impact of health-related legislation and its surrounding environment.
·
Ability to develop model legislation
alternatives in support of or as part of policies dealing with specific health
problems. Ability to adapt health legislation approaches/models to the specific
national context and analyses and proposes measures to strengthen the
legislative process related to health issues and policies.
·
Knowledge and skills to assess the effectiveness
of the enforcement of specific legislation and able to negotiate with
high-ranking political and civil authorities to harmonize national legislation
within the context of globalization and regional integration.
·
Strong written and communication skills.
Expertise in synthesizing complex issues and presenting and writing of
policymakers, academics and other audiences.
IT Skills
·
Demonstrated ability to effectively use a
computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel,
PowerPoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software
programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project would be an asset.
Experience:
·
Nine years of combined national and
international experience in conducting research, teaching and/or advisory work
in the area of legislation analysis and development.
·
Proven track record of driving successful change
in the legislative arena. Demonstrated experience and familiarity with
international legislation as it relates to health. Experience in advising the
executive or legislative branches of government on the development of
legislation applied to health issues.
Languages:
·
Very good knowledge of Spanish and English.
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$
67,483.00 at single rate
US$
72,467.00 with primary dependants Post
Adjustment: 50.6 % 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.
How to apply
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.
Currently
accepting applications
Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/13/FT485
Refer to the original website below to read
more and to apply;
Closing date: 5 December 2013