ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVE: Responsible for supporting the Director of Health and Wellness in providing leadership, strategic direction, oversight, and management over a range of primary healthcare services including Epidemiology, Maternal and Child health, Health Education and Community Participation Bureau (HECOPAB), Mental and Oral health; as well as for organizing, planning, and administering all activities relating to the quality national primary healthcare services. DIMENSIONS OF POSITION: A. NATURE AND SCOPE: The Deputy Director, Public Health and Wellness is required to support the Director across the full range of portfolios and assist in providing expert advice on a wide range of issues relating to the delivery of quality primary healthcare services for the people of Belize. The incumbent supports the Ministry of Health and Wellness and its staff in ensuring that the highest standard of healthcare services are provided within the nation. The Officer must develop and update the National Primary care and Wellness plan and liaises, collaborates, and consults with the divisions across the ministry in ensuring that existing legislations, regulations, standards, protocols, guidelines, policies, and procedures approved by the MoHW are implemented, adhered to, monitored and evaluated to secure the efficient and effective delivery of health services. The Deputy Director, Public Health and Wellness is tasked with strengthening the ministry’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to infectious diseases and ensures that the mandatory application of the Belize Health Information System (BHIS) is being utilized to document services provided to the public. The incumbent interacts with key stakeholders including community members to provide them with the opportunity to monitor, assess and participate in the evaluation process of primary health care services. Additionally, the officer must oversee the updating of health services guidelines, protocols, and standard operating procedures and the development of yearly budget for each division. The incumbent supervises support staff within the ministry and is expected to oversee their development in all the requisite specialist areas. The officer is expected to foster teamwork and display the communication skills required to interact with senior and junior personnel within the Public Service, as well as representatives of outside agencies and organizations.

Condition of service will be in accordance with the Belize Constitution (Public Service) Regulations, 2014, Financial and Stores Orders, Finance and Audit (Reform) Act and any other instructions issued from time to time

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE Recognized Master’s Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Health Administration, Health Systems/Services Management, Medical Specialty or related field and must be a Registered Medical Practitioner with the Medical Council of Belize. Educational certification in Business Administration would be considered an asset. Plus At least five (5) years’ post degree experience working at the management level or being in a position of responsible charge in a medium to large scale health care organization or health. Experience supervising and managing professional staff and being a trusted resource as a member of a senior level executive team.

COMPETENCIES/SKILLS  Knowledge of existing health legislation established hospital and sector policies, procedures, regulations objectives, and health standards.  Extensive knowledge of the Belize Constitution (Public Service Regulations), Financial and Stores Orders, and comprehensive knowledge of government and administrative procedures, rules, and regulations with the ability to rapidly understand and implement the requirements of relevant legislation, with proper consideration of the implications and outcomes of such administration.  Must demonstrate impartiality and clear decisiveness in making decisions, soundness of judgement and clarity in issuing directives.  Must possess strong analytical and evaluative skills and the ability to identify politically sensitive issues.  Must be able to communicate effectively both written and orally.  Specialized proficiency in the use of computer applications for word processing, spreadsheet development, electronic form creation and related.