Closing date: Wednesday, 1 February 2017
Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/17/FT5
Title: Legal Advisor, Human Rights
Grade: P4
Contract type: Fixed-term Appointment
Duration of contract: Two year, first year probationary period.
Date: 4 January 2017
Application Deadline: 1 February 2017
Duty Station: Washington, D.C., United States of America
Organization unit: AM Americas (AM) / AMRO Americas Regional Office (AM/RGO) Office of 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 on all legal matters, including the application of
national and international law to the Organization's programs and
activities, constitutional, administrative, and procedural matters, as
well as technical legal matters related to legislation and human rights
law. 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 for, but not necessarily limited to,
the following assigned duties
- Advise Member States, in
collaboration with Country Offices, on all international human rights
issues and action strategies to promote the right to the enjoyment of
the highest attainable standard of health ('Right to Health') and other
related human rights in Member States and on the formulation/review of
national health-related laws, policies, programs and practices
consistent with regional and international human rights laws and
standards, PAHO Resolutions, especially Resolution on Human Rights and
Health (CD50.R8), and Resolution on Health-Related Law (CD54.R9);
- Plan
and participate in training activities in Member States and within the
Organization on international and human rights norms and standards that
protect the Right to Health and other related human rights especially in
areas such as communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, risk
factors, determinants of health, cross-cutting themes (Gender,
Ethnicity, and Equity), the life course, health systems and services and
outbreaks and crisis responses;
- Coordinate human rights
efforts at the regional, national, and local levels and communicate
regularly with Country Offices in coordination with Ombudsmen and other
governmental officials working in the field of human rights;
non-governmental institutions: members of civil society; consumer
organizations and family members (among others) in order to prepare
common activities and strategies on human rights and public health
issues;
- Support the Organization's technical cooperation in the
formulation, review and, if necessary, reform of national health
policies, plans and legislation, incorporating the applicable
international and regional human rights instruments, norms and
standards;
- Serve as WHO focal point on Human Rights for the
Americas (AMRO) in close collaboration with the corresponding WHO
Headquarters Office and other regions of WHO and communicate with them
virtually and face to face, as appropriate;
- Participate in
on-site visits to national institutions such as hospitals, health
services and health centers amongst others and prepare reports and/or
draft strategies/plans of action for presentation to PAHO's Governing
Bodies, Member States, Country Offices and Technical Units, as
appropriate, in order to promote the application of regional and
international human rights norms and standards;
- Collaborate
with the UN treaty bodies and with the corresponding Special Rapporteurs
and working groups in order to promote and protect the Right to Health
and other related human rights in the Americas. Responsibilities include
the drafting of PAHO/WHO's recommendations on country/thematic reports,
observations and recommendations in close collaboration with WHO (HQ)
and to be considered by the UN treaty bodies, working groups and Special
Procedures, as appropriate;
- Collaborate with the Organization
of American States' (OAS) organs, working groups and treaty bodies such
as the Inter-American Commission and Court on Human Rights, as
appropriate, in order to promote and protect the right to health and
other related human rights in the Americas and especially in relation to
the Rapporteurships of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Responsibilities include the drafting of legal instruments and technical
opinions on the right to health and other related human rights to be
considered by the OAS' organs, working groups and treaty bodies;
participation in general and specific hearings, as appropriate;
coordination of promotional activities such as training workshops and
on-site visits to national institutions and other public health
facilities as appropriate;
- Provide training and guidance to
staff of the Organization to ensure that technical cooperation programs
related to health delivery, incorporate and implement the regional and
international human rights instruments, norms and standards into the
programs of work;
- Participate in the PAHO Cross-Cutting Themes
(CCTs) Secretariat, Working Groups and Technical Advisory Groups to
provide advice on human rights issues as applicable throughout the
entire Organization;
- Promote and stimulate collaboration and
research with academic institutions, the private sector, civil society
organizations, and other social actors, when appropriate, to promote and
protect human rights, in keeping with the regional and international
human rights instruments, norms and standards related to health;
- Promote
the sharing of good practices and successful experiences among the
Member States in close collaboration with Country Offices so as to
prevent stigmatization, discrimination and exclusion of individuals,
groups and peoples;
- Promote and provide support for
mobilization of national and international resources to support the
implementation of programs under areas of responsibility;
- When
called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work
objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide
coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;
- Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential:
A university degree in Law and a master's degree in international law,
political science, international relations or other discipline related
to Human Rights from a recognized institution.
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:
http://www.whed.net/. In addition, 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.
Skills
Key Behavioral Competencies
- Intrainstitutional Action:
Leads team efforts toward full understanding of the policies the
organization must operate within as well as the Standard of Conduct for
the International Civil Service. Leads employees and co-workers toward
operating in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such
behavior by example. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of
Ethical Principles and Conduct of the Organization.
- 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.
- 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.
- Teamwork: Embraces and leads
consensual decision-making, that is, leading the fulfillment of team
decisions, even when they may not fully coincide with one's own opinions
or proposals. Knows how to manage difficult team situations and
promotes consensus building. Takes responsibility for the team's
successes and failures.
- 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:
Works in an objective manner to obtain and apportion resources
(financial and non-financial) according to need. Supports and advises
technical areas to enable best use of resources are aligned with the
mission and vision of the Organization. Is able to work in a
multicultural environment. Is flexible and has the ability to work well
under pressure. Is able to give feedback to partners within and outside
the organization about the use of the resources and the results
acquired.
- External Action:
Promotes the values of the Organization through mutually relationships
with external institutions. Monitors one's work using transparency in
the execution of all tasks.
Technical Expertise
- Expert knowledge of the basic principles of constitutional law and regulations concerning public and individual health.
- Sound knowledge of health law, public health law and public international law, at the national and international levels.
- Sound knowledge of human rights and social/economic determinants of health.
- Demonstrated
competence in policy and legislative analysis; experience analyzing and
addressing policy issues; skills in overseeing and implementing policy
and advocacy work.
- 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.
- 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, SharePoint and
Outlook.
- Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project would be an asset.
Experience
- Essential:
Nine years of combined national and international experience preferably
within the Regional and/or International Human Rights Systems in
juridical work and human rights research, with emphasis on the Right to
Health and public health issues; familiarity with human rights and
public health, and legislative, judicial and socio political issues.
Languages
- Very good knowledge of English and Spanish.
- Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
Additional Information
PAHO OFFERS AN ATTRACTIVE COMPENSATION PACKAGE INCLUDING AN ANNUAL 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 INCLUDE: 30 DAYS ANNUAL LEAVE, DEPENDENCY BENEFITS, PENSION
PLAN AND HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME. BENEFITS FOR INTERNATIONALLY RECRUITED
STAFF MAY INCLUDE HOME LEAVE, TRAVEL AND REMOVAL EXPENSES ON
APPOINTMENT AND SEPARATION, EDUCATION GRANT FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN,
ASSIGNMENT GRANT AND RENTAL SUBSIDY.
CANDIDATES APPOINTED TO AN
INTERNATIONAL POST WITH PAHO ARE SUBJECT TO MOBILITY AND MAY BE ASSIGNED
TO ANY ACTIVITY OR DUTY STATION OF THE ORGANIZATION THROUGHOUT THE
WORLD.
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.
NOTE: CHANGES IN SALARY SCALE. THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVED A REVISED NET BASE SALARY SCALE STRUCTURE,
WHICH WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE AS OF 1 JANUARY 2017. AS A RESULT, THE
PRESENT DUAL (SINGLE AND DEPENDENCY) RATE SCALE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A
UNIFIED SALARY SCALE WHICH WILL HAVE 13 STEPS AT GRADES P1 TO D1 AND 10
STEPS AT THE D2 LEVEL.
Annual salary: (Net of tax)
US$ 70,647.00 at single rate
US$ 70,647.00 with primary dependants
Post Adjustment:
45.7 % 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.
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
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.
