Improving Maternal and Neonatal Health in the Department of Sololá, Guatemala

Challenge Guatemala has the highest rate of maternal mortality in Latin America, with 115 per 100,000 live births, compared to the regional average of 87. Such alarming figures can be attributed to the extremely low levels of formal prenatal and delivery care, especially in rural areas. Almost three- quarters of maternal deaths are among women of indigenous ancestry, and for more than half of all expectant mothers in these rural areas births are more likely to be attended by a comadrona than by a trained health professional. This is largely because many indigenous families lack the capital to afford healthcare from the formal sector and because, due to discrimination, culture, language barriers, and geographic isolation, they tend to prefer traditional healthcare services, such as comadronas. This traditional model lacks formal regulation, however, leading to significant variation in the quality of healthcare services provided. Only one in four rural births occurs in a hospital or clinic, compared to well over two-thirds of births in urban areas. In the Department of Sololá, 1,001 certified comadronas attend 63 percent of the births, typically outside of a formal hospital setting. Many of these comadronas lack the training and critical skills needed to recognize or properly attend to high-risk pregnancies. Approach The Improving Maternal and Neo-Natal Health in the Department of Sololá, Guatemala project was designed to address the high rates of maternal and infant mortality in Sololá, specifically in the towns of San Pedro, San Marcos, San Pablo, Santiago, Tzununa, Jabalito, and Santa Cruz, by improving the delivery skills of the 116 registered comadronas operating in these towns and by strengthening their ability to identify and appropriately respond to high-risk pregnancies. The intervention consisted of three components:The development of a revised, visual curriculum guide to directly address identified areas of concern with the comadronas, such as a general inability to recognize warning signs during the birthing process and a reluctance to refer patients to the National Hospital when confronted with high-risk pregnancies.Training workshops conducted over a two-week period with two one-day sessions in a local healthcare post for each of the locations. The provision of safe birthing kits for each comadrona, containing items such as latex gloves, gauze pads, and other tools necessary to provide a sanitary birthing process.  

Why Secure Land Rights Matter

In many parts of the world, people do not need to think about the security of their land rights. They are simply taken for granted, either as landlords or tenants. However, for the majority of the world’s poor, secure property rights are a rare luxury. Only 30% of the world’s population has a legally registered title to their land. As discussed at the Land and Poverty Conference 2017, held this week at the World Bank, secure land rights are important for reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity at the country, community, and family levels. Land rights are fundamental to stimulating investment and growth, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure; for supporting countries and their people in building resilience by preventing land-takings and mitigating forced migration. “Addressing land tenure issues is at the center of building sustainable communities – countries, regions, cities, and rural communities need secure rights, clear boundaries, and accessible land services for economic growth,” said Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez, World Bank Senior Director for the Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice. “Authorities need accurate spatial information to plan roads, public services, and infrastructure, while creating jobs.” At the country level, for example, in FYR Macedonia, in 2005, only one-third of the apartments were registered at all. People simply did not know what their rights were and if they tried to find out, the agencies did not have accurate information. Through the Real Estate Cadastre and Registration Project (RECRP), the World Bank helped the government change their property laws and regulations. The RECRP supported the creation of the private surveyors sector, which allowed the Agency for Real Estate Cadastre to strengthen its quality control and supervision functions. In 2005, there were 14 licensed private surveyors in the country and zero firms. By the end of the project, in 2015, there were 249 licensed private surveyors and 152 firms. In addition, the online services became broadly available and accessible on all devices, including smartphones, in both the local language as well as in English to attract foreign direct investments in land.   As a result, surveying of land went up from 43% to 99% of the country in 10 years. When it used to take two months to register a property sale or a mortgage, it now takes a day or two. This has leveraged private investments. In fact, the value of mortgages went up from EUR 450 million to EUR 3.4 billion. “The difference is obvious. I am now able to turn my real estate quickly into a capital asset to finance my business, which greatly helps in a dynamic market that we work in,” said Maja Dimitrievska, a businesswoman in Skopje. But land and property rights are not just good for a country’s growth and investment climate. It matters deeply for social inclusion, particularly for historically disadvantaged communities, such as Indigenous Peoples. In Nicaragua, Indigenous Peoples’ rights were not recognized. However, starting in 2002, with World Bank support, the government launched major legal, policy, and institutional reforms. Fast forward 15 years: Nicaragua has mapped and titled all 23 ancestral territories of Indigenous Peoples in the Caribbean Region. This is over 30% of the country’s territory.

El Banco Mundial aprueba US$100 millones para combatir la desnutrición en Guatemala

WASHINGTON, 27 de MARZO, 2017 –El Directorio Ejecutivo del Banco Mundial (BM) aprobó el pasado viernes 24 de marzo un préstamo de US$100 millones destinado a mejorar las prácticas, los servicios y los comportamientos claves para reducir la desnutrición crónica en Guatemala, con un énfasis en los primeros 1,000 días de vida. El “Proyecto de Nutrición y Salud para Guatemala Crecer Sano”, busca apoyar la Estrategia Nacional para la Prevención de la Desnutrición Crónica 2016-2020, que lanzó el Presidente Jimmy Morales en marzo de 2016. Los beneficiarios principales serán los niños menores de 24 meses, así como las mujeres embarazadas y sus familias en siete departamentos con elevado porcentaje de desnutrición crónica: Alta Verapaz, Chiquimula, Huehuetenango, Quiché, San Marcos, Sololá y Totonicapán. Casi todos estos departamentos tienen población predominantemente indígena. El proyecto aprobado será financiado por el BM y el Mecanismo Mundial de Financiación en Apoyo a la iniciativa Todas las Mujeres, Todos los Niños (GFF por sus siglas en inglés). Este nuevo fondo multidonante fue creado para financiar esfuerzos destinados a mejorar la salud reproductiva, materna, neonatal, infantil y adolescente (RMNCAH por sus siglas en inglés) y cuenta con el apoyo de un amplio conjunto de socios para el desarrollo, incluidos los gobiernos de Noruega, Canadá y la Fundación Bill & Melinda Gates. El GFF ayuda a financiar planes nacionales de ampliación de RMNCAH enfocándose en los resultados, apoya a los países a lograr una sostenibilidad en sus esfuerzos de movilización de recursos domésticos de RMNCAH y contribuye a una mejor coordinación entre los actores que financian actividades de RMNCAH. “Este préstamo es de suma importancia para Guatemala. Al reducir la desnutrición aumentaremos la productividad de nuestra futura fuerza laboral. Estamos agradecidos por la donación del GFF que nos permitirá beneficiarnos de mejores condiciones de préstamo y así canalizar más recursos para las poblaciones vulnerables de Guatemala”, señaló Julio Héctor Estrada, Ministro de Finanzas de Guatemala. Entre las acciones previstas en el proyecto se incluye el apoyo a la prestación de servicios de nutrición y salud a las madres y los niños, destinado entre otros a los cuidados prenatales, y la mejora del acceso a agua potable y saneamiento. Asimismo, se busca promover intervenciones destinadas a cambiar comportamientos, como asegurar la lactancia materna exclusiva durante los primeros seis meses de vida. Guatemala es el primer país que se beneficia de un aporte del GFF para reducir el pago de intereses de un préstamo del BM en US$9 millones. Esta disminución está asociada al logro de unas metas predefinidas y permite a Guatemala gozar de unos términos más concesionales que los préstamos estándar del BM. El gobierno se ha comprometido a utilizar la contribución del GFF y a agregar una cantidad equivalente. La suma final de US$18 millones se destinará a un programa de trasferencias condicionadas que busca mejorar el estado de salud y de nutrición de las familias. “A través de este instrumento financiero innovador, estamos orgullosos de apoyar a Guatemala a ampliar los recursos que benefician a madres y niños", dijo la Dra. Mariam Claeson, Directora del GFF. Si bien la desnutrición en Guatemala ha disminuido del 55% en 1995 al 46.5% en 2014/2015, sigue siendo la más alta de América Latina y El Caribe y una de las más elevadas del mundo, superando a la de países con un ingreso per cápita mucho más bajo, como Bangladesh, Etiopía o Vietnam. Los índices de desnutrición son particularmente elevados entre las poblaciones indígenas guatemaltecas (61%). Ello afecta la calidad del desarrollo humano de su población, y en consecuencia, su potencial de desarrollo y crecimiento. “Cuando miramos al país, vemos a dos Guatemalas: la rural y la urbana,  la formal y la informal, la que tiene acceso a servicios básicos y la que no. Este proyecto y todo nuestro trabajo busca contribuir a cerrar esta brecha entre las dos Guatemalas y garantizar que las poblaciones vulnerables tengan acceso a un mejor futuro”, señaló Homa-Zahra Fotouhi, representante del Banco Mundial en Guatemala. El préstamo tiene un plazo de amortización de 33 años incluyendo un período de gracia de seis años. — Para conocer el trabajo del Banco Mundial en América Latina y el Caribe visite: www.bancomundial.org/alc Conozca más sobre el Banco Mundial en Guatemala: http://www.bancomundial.org/es/country/guatemala Visítenos en Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bancomundial Manténgase informado via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BancoMundialLAC   Nuestro canal de YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/worldbank

The World Bank approves US$100 million to combat malnutrition in Guatemala

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2017 – The Board of Directors of the World Bank (WB) approved a US$100 million loan on Friday, March 24 to improve the practices, services, and behaviors that are key to curbing chronic malnutrition in Guatemala, with emphasis being placed on the first 1,000 days of life. The “Crecer Sano: Guatemala Nutrition and Health Project” seeks to support the National Strategy to Reduce Chronic Malnutrition 2016-2020 launched by President Jimmy Morales in March 2016. The main beneficiaries will be children under 24 months and pregnant women and their families in seven departments with large percentage of chronic malnutrition: Alta Verapaz, Chiquimula, Huehuetenango, Quiché, San Marcos, Sololá, and Totonicapán. Almost all of these departments have a predominantly indigenous population. The approved project will be financed by the WB and the Global Financing Facility in Support of Every Woman Every Child (GFF), a new multi-donor trust fund financing facility for reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH), which was created to support the financing of the Global Strategy in Support of Every Woman Every Child and is supported by a broad set of development partners including the governments of Norway, Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The GFF helps finance national RMNCAH scale-up plans while at the same time focusing on results. It supports countries in the transition toward sustainable domestic financing of RMNCAH; as well as contributes to a better-coordinated and streamlined RMNCAH financing architecture. “This loan is of paramount importance to Guatemala. By reducing malnutrition we will increase the productivity of our future work force. We are also thankful for the grant from the GFF which will allow us to benefit from better loan terms and thereby channel more resources to vulnerable populations in Guatemala,” said Julio Héctor Estrada, Guatemala’s Minister of Finance. Support with the delivery of nutrition and health services to mothers and children, which covers prenatal care among other things, and improved access to safe drinking water and sanitation are some of the activities provided for under the project. The project also seeks to promote interventions aimed at changing behaviors such as ensuring that mothers breastfeed exclusively during the first six months of life. Guatemala is the first country to benefit from a US$9 million performance-based WB loan buy-down from the GFF Trust Fund. Grant funds from the GFF are linked to key results and enable Guatemala to receive more concessional terms than standard WB loan terms. The government has committed to use the resources that are freed up from debt payments, match these with additional domestic resources and reinvest the combined amount of US$18 million in a conditional cash transfer program that aims to improve the health and nutrition status of families by providing transfers. “Through this innovative financing instrument, we are proud to support Guatemala to expand resources that benefit mothers and children” says Dr. Mariam Claeson, Director of the GFF. While the malnutrition rate in Guatemala has fallen from 55 percent in 1995 to 46.5 percent in 2014/2015, it remains the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean and one of the highest in the world, exceeding rates in countries with much lower per capita incomes, such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. Rates of malnutrition are particularly high among indigenous populations (61%). These high malnutrition rates affect the quality of human development in Guatemala and, thus, its development and growth potential. “When we look at the country, we see two Guatemalas: rural and urban areas, formal and informal sectors, and those who have access to basic services and those who don’t. This project and all our work aim to help close the gap between the two Guatemalas and ensure that vulnerable populations have access to a better future,” noted Homa-Zahra Fotouhi, World Bank Country Manager for Guatemala. This loan has a final maturity of 33 years including a grace period of six years. — To learn more about the World Bank’s work in Latin America and the Caribbean, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/en/region/lac Learn more about the World Bank in Guatemala: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/guatemala Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bancomundial Keep informed via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BancoMundialLAC   Watch our videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/worldbank

Additional Financing: Uruguay Road Rehabilitation and maintenance program

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2017 - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project:Additional Financing: Uruguay Road Rehabilitation and maintenance program IBRD Loan: US$ 70 million Terms: Maturity = 17.5, Grace = 5 yearsProject ID: P125803Project Description: The objectives of the Program are to improve the condition of the Uruguay National Road network and enhance road sector management.

Mexico – Grain and Storage Information for Agricultural Competitiveness Project

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2017 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the following project: Mexico – Grain and Storage Information for Agricultural Competitiveness Project IBRD Credit: US $120 million equivalent Terms: Maturity = 13 years Project ID: P160570 Project Description: The loan aims to improve access to grain storage and information for agricultural producers in Mexico. Contact: Carlota Molina Hernández, +52-55-54804244, cmolinahernandez@worldbank.org For more information, please visit here: www.worldbank.org/mx    

Quesos, apps y videojuegos: ¿nuevo negocio global para Uruguay?

No pasó tanto tiempo desde que Uruguay soñara con que sus productos cárnicos se posicionaran globalmente entre los de mayor calidad. Hoy es el sexto exportador mundial de carne y obtiene por sus productos precios en el quintil superior de la distribución. El sistema de trazabilidad bovina -ese chip que cada vaca tiene en su oreja, que almacena información y registra cada evento de su vida- se transformó en una garantía de calidad en los mercados más exigentes del mundo, que quieren conocer el origen del producto, y tener certeza de lo que consumen. Uruguay quiere trasladar esta experiencia a otros productos que ya son populares en el país, aunque no tan conocidos en los mercados internacionales. Quesos artesanales, aplicaciones tecnológicas, videojuegos, y animaciones hechas en Uruguay,podrían convertirse en productos solicitados por los consumidores del planeta. Para una economía pequeña como la de Uruguay, rodeada de gigantes como Brasil y Argentina, la integración en el mercado mundial es uno de los vehículos más poderosos para su crecimiento y desarrollo. Y la clave para lograrlo son las cadenas globales (o regionales) de valor. Una cadena de valor se convierte en global cuando un proceso productivo, desde su comienzo (a través del diseño e investigación y desarrollo), hasta su último eslabón (en ventas y servicio al cliente), es fragmentado internacionalmente, y diferentes empresas (o distintas subsidiarias de una misma empresa) ubicadas en países diferentes contribuyen al proceso. El informe del Banco Mundial, Uruguay: Integración en Cadenas Globales de Valor analiza dos cadenas de valor – lechería y tecnologías de la información y comunicaciones (TIC)- y cómo un sector tradicional, cautivo de una exportación de bajo valor agregado, y un sector de servicios de exportación nuevo, son capaces de superar los desafíos que supone la lejanía geográfica y la escala de Uruguay en pos de la modernización económica y de una mejor integración internacional. El estudio identifica oportunidades de modernización e inserción, específicamente relacionadas con estos sectores, y enfatiza, además, la importancia de políticas públicas para potenciar los beneficios. Los autores opinan que esta apuesta constituye una oportunidad para las empresas uruguayas, tanto para crecer como para aprender. “El hecho de que los procesos productivos se fragmenten, permite que un país pequeño como Uruguay logre especializarse y ser competitivo en algunas de las partes de la cadena, sin tener que desarrollar las capacidades para el proceso en su conjunto, ganando productividad, y generando empleo de calidad”, explica Alberto Criscuolo, uno de los autores del estudio. Nuevos mercados para explorar La industria láctea uruguaya genera casi el 9 % de las exportaciones de bienes de Uruguay y el 70 % de sus flujos de producción son destinados a los mercados internacionales, principalmente Venezuela, Brasil, China y Argentina. Si bien el país sudamericano exhibe un buen desempeño en la mayoría de las actividades de su cadena de valor a nivel local, nacional y regional, éste no se extiende mucho más allá de sus fronteras. Y revela que Uruguay tiene mucho potencial para avanzar en este sector, en particular en el segmento de productos no perecederos, como la leche entera en polvo, queso cheddar, lactosa, mantequilla en polvo y caseína al cuajo. Otro segmento de la industria láctea con buenas perspectivas de modernización es el de los productos llamados perecederos locales “Premium”, como los quesos artesanales, por los cuales los consumidores están dispuestos a pagar precios más elevados. En cuanto a las tecnologías informáticas, el informe señala que la entrada relativamente temprana de Uruguay en esta área ha contribuido a la supervivencia de las empresas de este sector que han sido capaces de resistir la competencia internacional y hoy son algunas de las empresas más grandes y exitosas de Uruguay. A fines de la década de 1990, las exportaciones en este rubro superaron los 90 millones de dólares, convirtiendo a Uruguay en el principal exportador de productos y servicios de TIC en América Latina. No obstante, en este sector “aún hay espacio para crecer”, aseguran los autores. Una condición necesaria para el crecimiento es que las instituciones superiores continúen formando ingenieros de sistemas de calidad. ¿Cómo hacerlo? Los beneficios de la participación en las cadenas globales de valor no son inmediatos ni automáticos, enfatiza el informe, que recomienda la implementación de algunas políticas “horizontales”, es decir, que beneficien a cualquier sector o rubro que quiera competir en las grandes ligas.  El desafío para las empresas uruguayas es doble: insertarse en las cadenas y evitar quedar atrapados en segmentos de bajo valor agregado, a la vez de “escalar” hacia tareas más sofisticadas y, por ende, mejor remuneradas. Para insertarse en las cadenas globales de valor, el informe sugiere que Uruguay debe continuar reduciendo los costos de comerciar, que aún resultan relativamente altos. Esto implica, entre otras acciones, mejorar la conectividad con una infraestructura de carreteras, ferroviaria y portuaria de calidad, así como tener una logística de clase mundial. También incluye lograr mayor acceso a mercados a través de una estrategia de regionalismo abierto. La evidencia indica que, muchas veces, las puertas a las cadenas globales de valor radican entre los mismos vecinos. Asimismo, en un contexto de creciente automatización de procesos, en los que los empleos asociados con tareas rutinarias y no cognitivas tienden a desaparecer, el estudio recomienda moverse hacia tareas de mayor valor agregado, lo cual requiere del fortalecimiento de habilidades y competencias. “En última instancia, el determinante principal para entrar en cadenas globales de valor, y para escalar hacia segmentos de alta calidad, es ser eficiente. Para ello, se necesitan dos cosas. Primero, continuar fomentando la innovación, y apoyando a las empresas en el proceso de internacionalización. Y segundo, propendiendo a una asignación de recursos eficiente en la economía: un canal fundamental para el crecimiento de la productividad. Esto es, asegurando las condiciones para que las firmas más productivas crezcan”, resume Criscuolo.

Crecer Sano: Guatemala Nutrition and Health Project

IBRD Credit: US $100 million GFF Grant: US $9 million Terms: Maturity = 33 years, Grace = 6 years Project ID: P159213 Project Description: The objective of this project is to improve the practices, services, and behaviors that are key to curbing chronic malnutrition in Guatemala, with emphasis being placed on the first 1,000 days of life. The main beneficiaries will be children under 24 months and pregnant women and their families in seven departments with large percentage of chronic malnutrition and a predominantly indigenous population. Contact: Àngels Masó, (503)7860.8019, amaso@worldbank.org  For more information, please visit here: http://www.bancomundial.org/es/country/guatemala

Brazil: Health Officer (HIV/AIDS), NO-2, São Paulo, Brazil

Organization: UN Children’s Fund
Country: Brazil
Closing date: 13 Apr 2017

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

Under the guidance of the Chief of Field Office, São Paulo, NO3 and Chief of Health and HIV/AIDS Unit, NO4, the HealthOfficer is responsible for providing professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the Health and HIV/AIDS Unit within the Country Programme from development planning to delivery of results, preparing, executing, managing and implementing a variety of technical and administrative tasks to facilitate interventions and projects development, implementation, progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting of results.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

1. Support to interventions, projects development and planning

– Conduct/update situation analysis for the programme sector(s) for development, design and management of Health and HIV/AIDS Unit. Research and report on development trends (e.g. political, social, economic) for higher management use to enhance interventions/projects development planning, management, efficiency and delivery of results.

– Contribute to the development/establishment of Health and HIV/AIDS Unitthematic goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through analysis of Health and HIV needs and areas for intervention and submission of recommendations for priority and goal setting.

– Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical programme transactions. Preparing materials/documentation and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating results.

– Prepare required documentations/materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

2. Health and HIV/AIDS thematic area management, monitoring and delivery of results

– Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external partners to discuss operational and implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.

– Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, mid and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.

– Monitor and report on the use of unit resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/ stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.

– Prepare regular/mandated unit interventions/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to Health interventions/projects implementation

– Conduct regular field visits and surveys and/or exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support, take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.

– Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on Health and HIV/AIDS related issues to support programme implementation, operations and delivery of results.

4. Networking and partnership building

– Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant sector government counterparts and subnational stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate Health and HIV/AIDS interventions/projects implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve Country Programme goals.

– Draft information and technical materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and enhance resource mobilization for UNICEF Health and HIV/AIDS Unit.

– Participate in meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of Health and HIV/AIDS interventions/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

– Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.

– Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme components results.

– Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.

– Participate as resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

– First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in public health, pediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology or other health related sciences is required.

Experience- A minimum of two (2) years of professional progressive work experience in Health and HIV/AIDS planning and management and/or in relevant areas of health care, health/emergency preparedness, at the national and/orinternational level, is required.

– Previous relevant work experience inHealth and HIV/AIDS programme/project developmentin UN system and/or agency is considered an asset.- Additional years of relevant experience in the above mentioned fields is considered an asset.

Language

– Fluency in Portuguese and English is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

•Commitment

•Diversity and Inclusion

•Integrity

Core competencies

•Communication (II)

•Working with People (I)

•Drive for Results (I)

Functional competencies

•Formulating strategies and concepts (I)

•Analyzing (II)

•Applying technical expertise (II)

•Learning and researching (II)

•Planning and organizing (II)

To view our competency framework, please click here.

Please note that this Vacancy Announcement is open for competition to Brazilian nationals only.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious and ethnic backgrounds, representing the diversity of Brazil, such as black and indigenous people, to apply to become a part of our organization. Candidates will be treated equally regardless of gender, sexual orientation, special needs, social and HIV/aids status. UNICEF is a smoke-free environment.

How to apply:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=503769

Más que lugares de paso

Un informe resalta la importancia de las ciudades intermedias para el desarrollo y la lucha contra el hambre y la pobreza en las zonas rurales

Honduras: Human Resources Assistant, (GS-6), Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Organization: UN Children’s Fund
Country: Honduras
Closing date: 18 Apr 2017

Purpose of the Position

Under the supervision and guidance of the Operations Officer in Honduras CO and the HR Specialist from Multi Country Services Facility (MCSF), the Human Resources Assistant provides administrative, procedural and operational support and assistance to the efficient implementation of a broad range of Human Resources functions for all categories of staff in his/her office, ensuring accurate and timely delivery, whilst promoting a client-based, quality and results orientated approach to the unit and ensuring compliance with UNICEF HR rules and regulations

Key Expected Results

  • Support in processing of entitlements and benefits.
  • Support in recruitment and placement.
  • Support in learning and development.
  • Support in organization design and job classification.
  • Time Attendance.
  • Support the Operations Area in processing of Contracts.
  • Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

    Support in processing of entitlement and benefits

  • In consultation with supervisor, analyses, researches, verifies, and compiles data and information on cases that do not conform to UN or UNICEF’s HR Rules & Regulations, to support consistent and equitable application of decisions and implementation of agreed upon action.
  • In consultation with supervisor, analyses, researches and verifies information for the purpose of responding to staff queries in coordination with HR Specialist MCSF and Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) on areas related to benefits and entitlements.
  • Maintains and prepares all personnel-related records and files, ensuring all information on each staff member is up-to-date and accurate.
  • Support in recruitment and placement

  • Works in close coordination with the supervisor and HR Specialist MCSF on all recruitment and placement processes.
  • Drafts requisitions and vacancy announcements in Talent Management System for positions within his/her office for review by supervisor and HR Specialist MCSF to help attract ideal candidates.
  • Ensures timely and efficient screening of applications for minimum eligibility, taking into account qualifications, competencies, and post requirements.
  • Analyses, researches, verifies, and compiles data which facilitates preparation of workforce planning reports for supervisor to review against benchmarks i.e. Gender and geographical balance and other recruitment related key performance indicators.
  • Liaises with candidates in the various stages of the recruitment process.
  • Records and maintains recruitment files, ensuring all necessary documentation has been completed in the Talent Management System.
  • Monitors life-cycle of recruitment process to update supervisor as necessary.
  • Support in learning and development

  • In consultation with supervisor, HR Specialist MCSF and Learning Committee chairperson, researches and analyses data and information to help identify training needs within his/her country office for the development of learning plans and other targeted training interventions.
  • In consultation with supervisor, researches, analyses, verifies, and compiles information on external training courses available and educational institutions to help supervisor decide on learning programmes that address learning gaps in his/her country office.
  • Assists team in organizing and conducting courses, workshops and events by participating in exercises which aim to build capacity of stakeholders.
  • Develops and processes contracts for institutions providing training and courses, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations.
  • Assists team in organizing and conducting courses, workshops and events by preparing and organizing distribution of materials for participants, ensuring availability of training venues and required equipment and supplies, while providing logistical and secretarial support at workshops and events as necessary.
  • Support in organization design and job classification

  • Participates in the review of GS positions specific JDs, ensuring effective application of ICSC methodology.
  • Drafts and edits job descriptions to be submitted for classification for review by supervisor.
  • Follows up and liaises with HQ, RO, HR MCSF and GSSC over status of requests to ensure timely completion.
  • Compiles and analyses information and statistics related to posts and staff for reports on staffing trends.
  • Prepares documents to be submitted for classification to RO and NYHQ, ensuring completeness of documentation.
  • Monitors life-cycle of all job classification requests to facilitate recruitment and organization planning.
  • Time Attendance

  • Maintains and updates a system which monitors the absence of staff.
  • Support the Operations Area in processing of Contracts.

  • Provide accurate and strict interpretation of contracts policy and procedures in compliance with rules and regulations.
  • Participates in the announcement of Terms of Reference
  • Consolidate the list of applicants or proposals received.
  • Participate in the panel to review the Competitive Process
  • Complete relevant requirement and ensure filing is correct and complete in compliance with rules and regulations.
  • Prepares the draft of the Contract in VISION.
  • Prepares submission of the CRC cases with the relevant supporting documents.
  • Any other task required from the supervisor.
  • Recruitment Qualifications

    Education:

    Completion of secondary education. Technical or university courses related to the work of the organization, Human Resources, Business Administration or related fields will be considered an asset.

    Experience:

    A minimum of 6 years of human resources work experience is required. Experience in administration or related fields will be considered and asset.

    Language Requirements:

    Fluency of Spanish and English required. Knowledge of other UN languages will be considered an asset.

    This position is open for nationals of Honduras and foreigners with valid work permit residing in Honduras.

    Competencies of Successful Candidate

    Core Values

  • Commitment
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Integrity
  • Core competencies

  • Communication
  • Drive for Result
  • Working with People
  • Functional Competencies

  • Analyzing
  • Applying Technical Expertise
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Formulating Strategies and Concept
  • Leading and Supervising
  • General Service Staff are recruited locally. Candidates must be in possession of an existing work permit or resident/citizen of Hondurasto be considered eligible for this post. Please note that General Service (GS) staff are locally recruited staff and therefore, candidates are personally responsible for any travel and accommodation arrangements.

    UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

    How to apply:

    UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=503740